EUA publishes policy input paper in reaction to EC Communication on Union of Skills

The European University Association (EUA) has published a policy input on 'Skills and education for Europe’s competitiveness'. The paper was released on 24 April 2025, in response to the European Commission’s Communication on the Union of Skills, which calls for more and better investment in citizens’ skills and competencies.

In its response, the EUA highlights the urgent need for a strategic and enduring approach to enhance Europe’s lifelong and continued learning capacities. Amongst others, the association emphasises the importance of addressing skills needs across all disciplines for Europe’s competitiveness, and further advocates for the Union of Skills to count on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as other professional and academic disciplines.

EUA calls for investment in higher education and research to be a priority of the Union of Skills and Competitiveness Compass, e.g. through a dedicated European ‘Skills Fund’. The input paper clearly states that failure to step up investment risks undermining universities’ ability to fulfil their core missions in education, research and societal engagement, which all contribute to the wider objectives of the Union of Skills.

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EUA policy input: 'Skills and education for Europe's competitiveness'