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EU-UKRAINE

FACTSHEET - The European Training Foundation’s unwavering support to Ukraine

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The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the European Union (EU) agency supporting human capital development in the EU enlargement and neighbouring countries in line with European external action policies. It has been based in Turin, Italy, since 1994.

The ETF has been actively engaged in Ukraine since its independence, offering expertise, policy advice, and capacity-building in skills development and employment, bridging Ukrainian authorities with the EU and international organisations. Ukraine is a priority country for the ETF, which formed an Ukraine Task Force to support the country with agile policy actions, leveraging international partnerships and synergies with EU Member States to help shape Ukraine’s future as a resilient and prosperous European nation.

Thirty years of ETF work in Ukraine: actions and priorities

The ETF has been supporting Ukraine since 1994 to modernise governance, map skills needs and boost competence-based assessment methodologies. Further support has been given to invest in teacher training, career guidance and green, digital and entrepreneurial skills to meet future needs.

In the immediate aftermath of 2022 Russia’s aggression, the ETF supported Ukrainians in the EU by facilitating skills recognition, access to work and education, and developing an Ukraine information hub.

Today, the ETF action focuses on two main pillars: 

  • Commitment to Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery: from supporting the modernisation of the whole education system (also assisting New Ukrainian School reform), to advancing VET reforms through Torino Process assessment and promoting excellence with Centres of Vocational Excellence.
  • Support to EU accession: assisting Ukraine’s candidacy efforts via targeted policy advice to promote harmonisation of reform with EU policies.

Examples of recent support actions are:

  • Smart specialisation projects: optimising investments to boost skills in the wood sector in Rivne.
  • Support to greening in schools: ETF’s GRETA (Greening Responses to Excellence through Thematic Actions) initiative awarded by the European Commission in 2022.
  • Lifelong learning: Local initiatives in adult learning drive recovery in vulnerable regions, such as Mykolaiv, heavily targeted by the Russian shelling since 2022.
  • Micro-credentials and teacher development: A pilot in the Dnipro region supported Internal Displaced People (IDPs) in re-skilling and up-skilling, laying the foundation for forthcoming nationwide and regional teacher training programmes, implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science.
  • Innovative teaching and learning: Implementing tools for competency-based learning experiences, such as SCAFFOLD, to promote a cross-curricular approach to key competence development.

Agile support: meeting Ukraine’s education and labour market needs

Russia's war of aggression has heavily impacted Ukraine’s education and labour market, causing displacement, economic disruption and critical skills shortages (see the ETF's latest analysis). 

Ukraine is undertaking urgent actions to improve its education and labour data systems and bring them in line with EU standards, as well as to develop forward-looking skills development programmes, reflecting labour mobility and economic integration with the EU.

Under EU guidance, the Ukrainian authorities are focusing on employment quality and inclusion by redefining the strategic framework, revising labour legislation and reforming employment services to better integrate youth, women and people with disabilities. Lifelong learning opportunities are expanded through targeted short-term courses validated by micro-credentials. 

Ukraine’s recovery strategy prioritises vocational education and training (VET), digital skills, and employment (re)integration to align with EU standards and boost economic growth. Ukraine is also committed to integrating VET and professional qualifications into its National Qualifications Framework (NQF), while referencing it to the European Qualification Framework.

Ukraine: a priority for the European Union and the ETF

The European Commission is supporting Ukraine through the €50 billion Ukraine Facility to ensure recovery, reform and readiness for EU accession. Between 2024 and 2027, the Ukraine Plan promotes investment, resilience and financial stability, despite the ongoing Russian aggression.

Through its Skills Guarantee approach, the ETF plays a key role alongside the European commission in the Skills Alliance, reaffirming its commitment to Ukraine's short-term recovery and long-term reconstruction.

The ETF supports key EU initiatives in Ukraine also through the  Eastern Partnership regional programme Supporting Education Reforms and Skills, and providing advice to the EU4Youth programme focused on youth engagement and employment. 

The EU and ETF support to young people in Ukraine

Youth vulnerabilities in Ukraine have grown due to the war. To respond to this emergency, on 3-7 March the ETF is hosting a High-level Delegation from Ukraine to pave the way for enhanced cooperation to support Ukrainian youth in the run-up to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome in July 2025.

The visit lays the foundation for the implementation of the Youth Guarantee - an EU initiative ensuring that young people under 30 receive quality job offers, apprenticeships and traineeships or continued education. A priority of EU active labour market policies, Youth Guarantee’s implementation could be essential for young people’s economic (re)integration.

With its deep knowledge of the country, the ETF drives preparatory steps, providing technical support in policy design, conceptualising pilot projects, and engaging key stakeholders. Previously, the ETF has supported Youth Guarantee implementation in EU candidate countries, such as in the Western Balkans, and more globally, such as in Thailand, by providing policy advice and facilitating peer learning with EU Member States.

The initiative aligns with Ukraine’s EU accession efforts, ensuring that its youth employment policies match EU best practices.

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