European Training Foundation's 2024 Work Programme gets the go-ahead

In a significant decision-making session in Torino, Italy, the European Training Foundation (ETF) has received approval for its single programming document and annual work programme for 2024. The Governing Board, comprising representatives from EU Member States, the European Commission, and observers from the European Parliament, and for the first time attended by the City of Torino as an observer, convened to give the go-ahead to a strategic plan that promises to shape the ETF's trajectory in the coming year.

“The approval of these documents is one step further towards reaching our strategic goal to act as a global knowledge hub in human capital development for the benefit or our partner countries and other stakeholders in the EU family and beyond,” said ETF Director, Pilvi Torsti. “Next year, when we will also celebrate our 30^th anniversary and build on the experience gained during the period, we will continue to offer quality monitoring and analysis on education and training systems, skills foresight, and policy advice to maximise the reach and impact of the expertise of the ETF. The work in partnerships and recognition of the increased fragility in the geopolitical landscape is a crucial part of our approach."

The 2024 work programme aligns with the ETF's mission and the overarching Strategy 2027, focusing on three key strategic objectives: ensuring skills relevance and anticipation, supporting skills development and validation, and enhancing the performance and quality of education and training policies.

Focusing on areas that generate impact

The ETF’s 2024 work programme emphasises prioritising partner countries, with a dedicated focus on Ukraine, candidate countries, and those with EU bilateral association agreements. The plan also underscores the urgency of promoting digitalisation and innovation in education, supporting the development of green skills, and ensuring gender equality and social inclusion.

Also, the plan stresses the need to expand skills intelligence tools, advise on active labour market policies, modernise qualification systems, and promote vocational excellence. Additionally, the plan highlights efforts to support the development and dissemination of innovative teaching practices, engage enterprises in skills development for competitiveness and innovation, and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms and multi-stakeholder partnerships for the governance of lifelong learning.

Spotlight on youth, access to funding and inclusion

But this is not all. In 2024, the ETF's commitment to fostering positive change puts the spotlight on the implementation phase of the recently launched DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia) project. Also, the ETF will be actively engaged in a range of further extra-budgetary projects, including an education programme tailored for the Eastern Partnership region. These initiatives reflect the ETF's dedication to addressing specific regional needs and promoting education and skills development on a broader scale.

Furthermore, in 2024 the ETF will be strategically collaborating with international financing institutions, aligning efforts to support human capital development with policy-first investments. This collaboration underscores the agency's commitment to leveraging partnerships for sustainable and impactful initiatives, further enhancing the effectiveness of its interventions.

In tandem with these projects, next year the ETF will place a strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion. The 2024 work programme reflects a concerted effort to address these critical aspects across all its activities, ensuring that the benefits of education, training, and skills development are accessible to all, irrespective of gender or social background.

With the approval of the 2024 work programme, the ETF positions itself not only as a catalyst for skills development but also as an entity committed to addressing specific regional needs, fostering international collaboration, as well as inclusivity and equality in all its initiatives. As the world navigates through a challenging geopolitical landscape, these concerted efforts will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of skills development in the EU's neighbourhood.