Partners & stakeholders

We engage and cooperate with a wide range of stakeholders from Institutions, donor, social partners and civic society organizations in ETF partner countries, the European Union and at the international level. We believe that by working together and reaching out to a wide range of stakeholders we bring more value to our work, relevance of our operations and sustainability of actions.

The ETF stakeholder relations team contributes to the fulfilment of ETF functions outlined in the mandate, most specifically:

  • to facilitate the exchange of information and experience among donors engaged in human capital development reform in partner countries; and
  • to disseminate information and encourage networking and the exchange of experience and good practice between the EU and partner countries and among partner countries in human capital development issues.

According to its Regulation, the ETF cooperates with stakeholders such as the European Commission, European External Action Service, European Council, European Parliament – those that ensure the ETF's governance - as well as and other EU bodies including the European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions, the European Data Protection Supervisor, etc and EU agencies.

In the framework of annual joint work programme, aiming of promoting synergy and complementarity of the activities, the ETF cooperates with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training(Cedefop) as well as with the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound).The relationships in the areas of training, recruitment and procurement are being developed with other agencies such as EPSO, OSHA, PMO, EAS, EACEA and IOB, etc.

EU and international networks in order to strengthen and develop its institutional partnerships. The principle vehicle for structured knowledge sharing and exchange of expertise was via participation in the IAG-TVET group. Working relationships are developed with the international organisations such as the World Bank, theOECD, the ILO, the ITC/ILO , UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNIDO the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank,EBRD, EIB, IFC, the Council of Europe.

Based on a mutual interest for cooperation in the area of human capital development, the ETF is building links with activities implemented by regional organisations including the Regional Co-operation Council for South Eastern Europe, ERI SEE, Task Force Fostering and Building Human Capital, the Union for Mediterranean Secretariat ,the Marseille Centre for Mediterranean Integration,as well as civil society organisations working in the field of human capital development.

Platforms and networks like the Anna Lindh Foundation ( with whom we have a cooperation agreement), the European Youth Forum, the European Group for Public Administration ( with whom we have a cooperation agreement),NORRAG, the European Association of Institute for Vocational Training), the European Vocational Training Association are invited to share their expertise or experiences in ETF projects and activities at regional or corporate level.

The ETF encourages networking and the exchange of experience and good practice between EU Member States and partner countries and amongst partner countries in human capital development issues.

Cooperation with Member States involves also bilateral organisations such as AFD, AICS, BIBB , BC , Enabel, GIZ and LuxDev.

Normative and Policy background

  • Art.2 (d) of the ETF Regulation No 1339/2008, ETF function is “to facilitate the exchange of information and experience among donors engaged in human capital development reform in partner countries”;
  • The ETF Stakeholder Relations Policy ETF/17/DEC/008 Issue 2