Have your say on the future of Erasmus+

2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Erasmus+, according to the European Commission, one of the EU's most successful initiatives. As the EC says 'over the last 3 decades, Erasmus+ has offered a generation of over 9 million Europeans the chance to study, train, teach, volunteer or gain professional experience abroad.' Parents have expressed their positive attitude, but also their concerns in the EPA survey during the Spring and we have published the results on the EPA website. But we are also encouraging all parents to take part at this official consultation to have our voice heard. Read the EC communication with all necessary links below.

From Political Will to Implementation - New EUCIS-LLL Position Paper on Europe 2020 Strategy

The Europe 2020 Strategy is on the verge of its mid-term review. Inequalities in European education and training systems have increased simultaneously with the crisis, with vulnerable groups being particularly disadvantaged. The level of low-skilled adults, increased numbers of people at the risk of social exclusion and rising unemployment levels in most Member States show that much more needs to be done in order to reach the 2020 targets. This will require a renewed political commitment to foster lifelong learning at European level with a stronger focus on the social dimension of education, training and youth policies and funds.

European citizens should be rightly placed at the centre of the strategy and of all political decisions made at EU level. A common vision for the European Union cannot be reduced to purely economic considerations - says the Position Paper just published, and EPA (not only as a member of EUCIS-LLL) cannot agree more. EUCIS-LLL presents 10 key points on the EU2020 Strategy.

Civil Society Day 2014 at the European Economic and Social Committee

EPA was present at the annual event organised by the EESC to give an opportunity to citizens and civil society organisations to have their voices heard. The context of this year’s conference was set by three main factors: the recommendations of the European Year of Citizens, the forthcoming European Parliament elections and the first experiences of the European Citizens’ Initiatives, the new tool for citizens to directly influence European institutions. There has been some tension between EU institutions and European NGO’s about real representation of the voice of citizens. Before presenting our readers with the press release published by the EESC let me take this opportunity to ask all our readers who consider themselves European parents to feel free to join the conversation here or ont he social networks to help EPA to influence EU policy in a way you want us to do.

1st June - The Global Day of Parents

The General Assembly of the United Nations has decided on 17th September 2012 that from this year on 1st June will be observed as the Global Day of Parents honouring parents throughout the world. It invited all UN Member Stated to celebrate the Global Day of Parents in full partnership with civil society, particularly involving young people and children.

Council of Europe: 24th Meeting of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education in Helsinki

EPA's President was invited to join the delegation of INGO (Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations) at this conference.

Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation

(Council of Europe document)


The involvement of NGOs in the different steps of the political decision-making process  varies based on the intensity of participation. There are four gradual levels of participation, from least to most participative. These are: information; consultation; dialogue; and partnership.

The Code offers a repertoire of good practices. It  does not have a mandatory character, does not prescribe rules, or require enforcement mechanisms. It offers all actors in the democratic process guidelines stemming from concrete practical experience of dialogue and co-operation between NGOs and public authorities. The final aim is to facilitate their interaction and to enhance citizens’ empowerment and participation in the democratic process at local, regional and national levels.