Tag Archives: Student mobility

Mobility of young volunteers

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Mobility of young volunteers

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Mobility of young volunteers

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Education training youth sport > Youth

Mobility of young volunteers

Document or Iniciative

Council Recommendation of 20 November 2008 on the mobility of young volunteers across the European Union [Official Journal C 319 of 13.12.2008].

Summary

This recommendation establishes a framework of cooperation for Member States, based on which the cross-border mobility of young volunteers may be strengthened. It does so with due respect to the diversity of the national volunteering schemes.

The Council has defined cross-border voluntary activities as: “open to all young people, undertaken by their own free will in the general interest, for a sustained period, within a clear framework and in a country other than the country of residence, unpaid or with token payment and/or coverage of expenses”. Voluntary activities provide a non-formal educational and informal learning experience through which young people may develop their professional and social skills and competences. Thereby, these activities enhance their employability and active citizenship, while benefiting local communities and fostering social cohesion.

With this recommendation, the Council is encouraging Member States to strengthen cooperation among voluntary organisations and public authorities involved in organising voluntary activities, in order to promote the mobility of young volunteers within Europe. To this end, Member States should take action to:

  • promote the dissemination of information on national voluntary activities;
  • facilitate stakeholders’ access to information regarding cross-border voluntary activities and provide information on rights and opportunities thereof;
  • facilitate young volunteers’ access to cross-border voluntary activities, in particular by simplifying the procedures;
  • develop opportunities for cross-border voluntary activities through a flexible approach, taking into consideration such issues as hosting capacities, establishment of contacts among volunteers, use of European mobility mechanisms, mobility of youth workers and training of those active in youth work;
  • promote the development of intercultural competences and the learning of languages as means to facilitate cross-border mobility;
  • support the development of self-assessment tools with which voluntary organisations may guarantee the quality of their cross-border activities;
  • exchange information and cooperate with each other in order to assure the social and legal protection of volunteers;
  • promote the recognition of volunteers’ learning outcomes through the use of national and European level qualification instruments;
  • promote the participation of young people with fewer opportunities in cross-border voluntary activities.

The Commission is committed to support Member States’ actions relating to the above. It will do this through the EU cooperation framework in the youth field, the open method of coordination as well as the European Voluntary Service (EVS), as contained in the youth in action programme. The Commission will develop opportunities for voluntary organisations to exchange information and experience on cross-border cooperation. In addition, it will establish a European Youth Volunteer Portal to disseminate information to all stakeholders.

Background

The common objectives for young people’s voluntary activities and their implementation at national level were identified in the Resolution of 15 November 2004 on common objectives for voluntary activities of young people and in its implementing resolution of 16 November 2007. These also requested that Member States develop means to measures progress in practice. The 2007 resolution further requested the Commission to propose additional ways to promote and recognise young people’s voluntary activities.

Youth mobility

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Youth mobility

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Youth mobility

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Education training youth sport > Youth

Youth mobility

Document or Iniciative

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 21 November 2008 on youth mobility [Official Journal C 320 of 16.12.2008].

Summary

The mobility of young people is essential in promoting a sense of belonging to Europe, enhancing social and occupational integration, and ensuring a competitive European economy. However, the mobility of young people is not widespread, regardless of the success of the Erasmus programme.

All young people in Europe should have opportunities for mobility. This should consist of physical mobility, whereby the young person will stay in another European country to study, do an internship, volunteer or carry out other training. In the educational context, “virtual mobility” may also contribute to the mobility of young people. Through mobility, young people may develop their skills and competences, thus improving their versatility and employability.

A European policy for mobility should be cross-cutting, provide for the arrangements with which opportunities for mobility are prepared and supported, and promote the recognition of learning outcomes from periods of mobility and the development of opportunities for mobility for teachers and trainers. Young people coming from disadvantaged backgrounds or having special needs must receive particular consideration.

In light of the above, Member States are encouraged to:

  • provide further opportunities for cross-border mobility within education, training and volunteering, thereby transforming mobility into a widespread phenomenon;
  • take steps to attain the objectives of the current European Union (EU) programmes for education, youth, culture, citizenship and research;
  • build on the work of the High Level Expert Forum in order to facilitate the participation of all young people in mobility schemes and enhance the mobility of all educational staff;
  • take action at various levels and in partnership with various stakeholders to increase opportunities for mobility.

The Member States and the Commission are invited to set out measures to remove possible barriers to mobility and to ensure the recognition of cross-border mobility periods. In particular, they should:

  • develop scope for mobility by promoting active coordination between stakeholders so that the management of public sector support is enhanced, taking advantage of relevant EU programmes, considering the needs of disadvantaged youth and encouraging the establishment of new opportunities for mobility;
  • inform about mobility programmes by disseminating information via various means to young people and their families, educational staff and youth workers, as well as by supporting the implementation of relevant EU programmes;
  • simplify procedures for implementing the EU programmes, for creating the financial incentive strategies and for enhancing the recognition of learning outcomes from periods of mobility;
  • provide funding sources for mobility through appropriate Community financial instruments such as the Structural Funds and by promoting funding from public and private sectors, with particular support given to disadvantaged youth and youth with special needs;
  • enhance the application of the European Quality Charter for Mobility principles in mobility schemes by promoting the exchange of best practices concerning reception conditions, the provision of proper living and working conditions as well as preparation for mobility, in particular from a linguistic and cultural point of view;
  • increase knowledge of youth mobility through comparable statistics and survey results, as well as by conducting impact assessments on the cultural, educational and professional benefits of mobility.

Furthermore, the Commission is invited to set up a work plan for the incorporation of cross-border mobility into other EU programmes. Information on these programmes should then be disseminated as widely as possible, in order to promote them among young people. To this end, national “one-stop-shops” and a European youth mobility portal should be created. In addition, the Commission must provide a mid-term report on the developments of youth mobility in Europe before the end of 2010, followed by regular reports. Finally, the Commission is requested to provide national authorities and other stakeholders with a guide on European policies that may be used to support mobility, as well as to investigate new financial support mechanisms.

Background

The European Council decided in March 2008 to establish a “fifth freedom” whereby barriers to the free movement of knowledge would be removed. This also entails improved cross-border mobility of students, researchers, scientists and educational staff.

Green Paper on the learning mobility of young people

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Green Paper on the learning mobility of young people

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Green Paper on the learning mobility of young people

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Education training youth sport > Youth

Green Paper on the learning mobility of young people

This green paper launches a public consultation with the aim of boosting mobility opportunities for young people.

Document or Iniciative

Green Paper of 8 July 2009 – Promoting the learning mobility of young people [COM(2009) 329 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Transnational mobility through which young people may acquire new knowledge and skills (learning mobility) enhances personal development and employability. Currently however, the learning mobility of young people is more an exception than a rule, and should therefore be promoted in all disciplines and contexts. As a result, the Commission is launching this public consultation to initiate discussions on how existing and new instruments, as well as public authorities and stakeholders can be mobilised to that end.

The green paper presents a number of issues where further efforts towards learning mobility are needed. The aim is to promote organised mobility that is carried out across borders as well as within and across sectors. While the value of virtual mobility is recognised, the focus is on physical mobility and the challenges arising before, during and after such periods.

Preparing for a period of learning mobility

Preparation is an essential element of any mobility project and needs to be well thought-out in order for the mobility period to be a success. Firstly, this consists of providing good quality and easily accessible information and guidance on mobility opportunities, including on funding, education and training programmes, as well as on any practical issues. Secondly, there is a need to promote and motivate young people to be mobile by informing them of the benefits and guaranteeing the recognition of such an experience. Thirdly, linguistic skills and intercultural competences facilitate mobility, and may be upgraded during mobility periods. However, as a lack of such skills may be a barrier to participation, ways to address these obstacles must be explored.

Other challenges to take into consideration during the preparatory phase include the legal status of the young people in the host countries. A secure framework for the mobility of minors and a European Trainee Statute for the mobility of trainees could help to overcome such legal obstacles. Similarly, the obstacles to the portability of grants and loans as well as to the access to benefits, which often contravene Community law, should be overcome to promote mobility. To this end, the Commission is suggesting the publication of guides for Member State authorities and stakeholders.

There is also a need to assure that the mobility period is of a high quality, to which both the sending and receiving institutions should commit. Appropriate mechanisms should be set up for selecting participants in a fair and transparent manner, as well as for matching participants and receiving institutions. A number of charters, such as the European Quality Charter for Mobility, could be used to guide this work, as could learning/training agreements drawn up by the sending and hosting institutions together with the participants. Finally, measures should be taken to reach disadvantaged groups, so that they may also benefit from the opportunities of learning mobility.

The stay abroad and follow-up

Proper arrangements should be in place to receive young people during their mobility periods abroad. It is particularly essential that the hosting institutions provide mentoring support to young people in order to help them integrate better into the host environment. Concerning the follow-up, mobility periods must be appropriately recognised and validated in terms of both formal and non-formal learning. To this end, a number of European instruments are already available (such as ECVET, EQF, Europass), but greater use should be made of them at the regional and sectoral levels.

A new partnership for mobility

In order to overcome the continuing obstacles to mobility, it is imperative to mobilise actors and resources at all levels. A new partnership should be established between public authorities, civil society and partners from the business world. At the same time, the funding base needs to be enlarged to provide mobility opportunities to all groups of young people.

Virtual mobility can provide an added value by acting as a catalyst for physical mobility, as well as by providing an international dimension to learning for those who cannot or do not want to go abroad. “Multipliers”, such as teachers and trainers at all levels, youth workers, as well as people who have been mobile are important in motivating young people to embark on a period of mobility. Any obstacles to their involvement in promoting mobility should be removed and opportunities for their mobility encouraged.

At the moment, mobility has wide backing. However, it is essential to turn this support into concrete targets, based on which Member States, regional authorities, institutions and organisations may define their mobility strategies. Strategic benchmarks should also be established to complement those developed at European and national levels.

Background

The Commission invites stakeholders and the wider public to respond to the issues raised in this green paper before 15 December 2009. The Commission will propose follow-up actions on the basis of these responses.

European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training

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European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Education training youth sport > Vocational training

European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET)

Document or Iniciative

Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) [Official Journal C 155 of 8.7.2009].

Summary

The Commission defines the European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) as a methodological framework that can be used to describe qualifications * in terms of units of learning outcomes * with associated points *.

ECVET is a system for the accumulation and transfer of units of learning outcomes in vocational education and training in Europe. It allows attestation and recording of learning outcomes acquired in various contexts, both in other countries and through formal, informal or non-formal learning. Learning outcomes can be transferred to a person’s ‘home’ system to be counted towards the obtainment of a qualification.

The diversity of national systems that define the levels and content of qualifications is not conducive to transnational mobility of learners. ECVET would allow this situation to be remedied by facilitating mobility among learners throughout Europe.

Member States are free to adopt this recommendation and implement the system. They are asked to gradually introduce measures voluntarily, with a view to using ECVET from 2012.

ECVET should be implemented through partnerships and networks based on learning agreements (Memoranda of Understanding), which provide an appropriate framework for credit transfers. With a view to transferring credits, the principles and technical specifications for describing qualifications in terms of units of learning outcomes with associated points are set out in Annex II.

A European ECVET network of relevant stakeholders and competent institutions has been established to promote ECVET and allow Member States to exchange information and experience. From this network, the Commission has established an ECVET users’ group, which contributes to the ECVET users’ guide and the implementation of ECVET.

Complementarity with other initiatives for the recognition and transfer of skills

ECVET is one of many European initiatives that encourage learner mobility within the European Union (EU), such as EUROPASS and the European Quality Charter for Mobility.

ECVET will also complement the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) by linking vocational education and training with higher education. The ECTS was set up in 1989, and has encouraged transparency and the recognition of periods of study spent in other countries.

The aim of ECVET is to facilitate the transfer of credits for learning outcomes from one qualifications system to another. It is different from the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which is a common reference framework. Rather than harmonising these systems, ECVET is designed to make them compatible by providing an interface between existing national provisions on the accumulation, recognition and transfer of credits.

ECVET is not concerned with mutual recognition of vocational qualifications, with respect to which the relevant directive imposes binding obligations on Member States.

European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET

A new reference tool to encourage Member States to exchange best practices in the field of vocational education and training policies was presented together with ECVET. The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET is designed to improve quality management practices at national level within this field by introducing a set of common criteria and indicators.

Background

The EU’s target is to make European education and training systems a benchmark for the world by 2010. As part of the Lisbon Strategy, common objectives were adopted by Member States to improve their education and training systems. The “Education and Training 2010” work programme was drawn up with this aim in view.

The ministerial declaration signed in Copenhagen in 2002, concerns the revival of cooperation in the field of vocational training. It aims, in particular, to implement the Education and Training 2010 work programme in a coordinated manner, and stresses the importance of a credit transfer system for vocational education and training. The Council conclusions of 15 November 2004 indicated the need to continue developing and establishing a European system in this field.

The results of the consultation on the ECVET blueprint held between November 2006 and March 2007 confirmed the need to set up such a system for vocational education and training.

Key terms used in the act
  • Qualification: a formal outcome of an assessment and validation process that is obtained when a competent institution determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards.
  • Unit of learning outcomes: a component of a qualification, consisting of a coherent set of knowledge, skills and competence, which can be assessed and validated.
  • Credit points or ECVET points: a numerical representation of the overall weight of learning outcomes in a qualification and of the relative weight of units in relation to the qualification.

Mobility for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers

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Mobility for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Mobility for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Education training youth sport > Youth

Mobility for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers

acquis in the field of free movement.

Document or Iniciative

Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 July 2001 on mobility within the Community for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers [Official Journal L 215 of 9.8.2001].

Summary

Free movement of persons, which is one of the basic principles of the Treaty on European Union (EU), is not confined to workers. As the idea of European citizenship gains credence within the Union, arrangements need to be made to ensure that people who do not yet work can take advantage of it. Despite the existence of a legislative framework concerning freedom of movement for workers and recognition of vocational qualifications, and the existence of numerous European exchange programmes, obstacles still exist to the effective mobility of students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers.

Obstacles to be overcome

The remaining obstacles to freedom of movement must be removed in order to ensure that educational and vocational training programmes have a European dimension.

The Recommendation indicates a series of conditions that need to be fulfilled by the Member States in order to ensure effective freedom of movement of students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers within the EU. These include:

  • recognition of vocational qualifications and experience acquired in the host Member State;
  • harmonisation of the status accorded by Member States to students, persons undergoing training, teachers and trainers, particularly with regard to right of residence, employment law, social security and taxation;
  • effective elimination of double taxation.

Measures recommended

Appropriate measures to encourage the mobility of persons covered by the Recommendation should complement measures already implemented in the European programmes in the fields of education, training and youth, such as the Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action.

Member States are called on to take the measures they consider appropriate in order to:

  • remove the legal and administrative obstacles to the mobility of persons;
  • reduce linguistic and cultural obstacles;
  • promote the development of the various forms of financial support for mobility, facilitate the portability of scholarships, national aids and other support arrangements;
  • extend to persons participating in mobility schemes the benefits (other than social security benefits) available to the same categories of persons in the host State, such as fare reductions for public transport, financial assistance with accommodation and meals, etc.;
  • encourage the creation of a European qualification area;
  • facilitate access to all useful information.

Measures proposed by the Recommendation which specifically concern students include:

  • facilitate the recognition in the home Member State of the period of study undertaken in the host Member State. To this end, use of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which guarantees the recognition of academic experience as a result of a contract drawn up in advance between the student and the home and host establishments, should be encouraged;
  • ensure that the decisions of the competent authorities responsible for academic recognition are made within reasonable timescales, are justified and are open to administrative and/or legal appeal;
  • encourage educational establishments to issue a European supplement as an administrative annexe to the diploma, describing the studies undertaken, in order to facilitate their recognition;
  • take appropriate measures to make it easier for students on mobility schemes to prove that they have the health cover or insurance needed in order to obtain a residence permit.

Measures proposed by the Recommendation which specifically concern persons undergoing training include:

  • facilitate the recognition of the training undertaken in another country, particularly using the Europass Training document;
  • encourage the use of more transparent models for vocational training certificates. For example, official national certificates should be accompanied by a translation of the certificate and/or a European certificate supplement;
  • take appropriate measures to make it easier for persons undergoing training to prove that they have the financial resources needed in order to obtain a residence permit.

Measures proposed by the Recommendation which specifically concern young volunteers include:

  • ensure that the specific nature of voluntary activity is taken into account in national legal and administrative measures;
  • promote the introduction of a certificate of participation for persons who have taken part in voluntary activity projects (such as Youthpass), with a view to bringing about a common European format for curricula vitae;
  • avoid any discrimination against volunteers on transnational mobility schemes in terms of entitlement to social protection measures.

Measures proposed by the Recommendation which specifically concern teachers and trainers include:

  • promote the European mobility of teachers and trainers by making arrangements for the temporary replacement of teachers and introducing European training periods;
  • encourage the introduction of a European dimension in training programmes for teachers and trainers by encouraging contacts between establishments within Europe which train teachers and trainers;
  • promote inclusion of European mobility experience as a component of the careers of teachers and trainers.

The Commission is specifically called on to:

  • set up a group of experts in order to permit exchanges of information and experience concerning the implementation of the Recommendation and of the Action Plan for Mobility;
  • submit every two years an analytical summary of the national reports on the implementation of the Rrecommendation;
  • study the procedures for introducing a pass for schoolchildren/students/trainees/volunteers within the EU, giving holders entitlement to various concessions during their period of mobility;
  • draw up proposals designed to promote the transparency of professional qualifications and the exchange of information on opportunities for studying, performing voluntary work or teaching in other Member States.

Related Acts


Council Recommendation

of 28 June 2011 – ‘Youth on the move’ – promoting the learning mobility of young people [OJ C 199 of 7.7.2011].

Recommendation (EC) No 2006/961 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 on transnational mobility within the Community for education and training purposes: European Quality Charter for Mobility [Official Journal L 394 of 30.12.2006].

The Charter concentrates on the quality aspects of mobility. It constitutes a reference document for stays abroad in order to ensure a positive experience for participants, young people and adults.

Report on the follow-up to the Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council of 10 July 2001 on mobility within the Community of students, persons undergoing training, volunteers and teachers and trainers [COM(2004) 21 final – not published in the Official Journal].

Inter-regional programme: Strategy paper 2007-2013 and indicative programme 2007-2010

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Inter-regional programme: Strategy paper 2007-2013 and indicative programme 2007-2010

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Inter-regional programme: Strategy paper 2007-2013 and indicative programme 2007-2010

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

External relations > Mediterranean partner countries

Inter-regional programme: Strategy paper 2007-2013 and indicative programme 2007-2010

Document or Iniciative

European neighbourhood and partnership instrument – Inter-regional programme – Strategy paper 2007-2013, indicative programme 2007-2010 .

Summary

The inter-regional programme (IRP) supports the achievement of the objectives of the European neighbourhood policy (ENP) and the strategic partnership with Russia. It focuses on dialogue and cooperation between the countries benefiting from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), and also between the latter and the European Union (EU).

Being part of the ENPI, the IRP provides financial support to activities whose inter-regional implementation has an added value in terms of visibility, coherence, efficiency and flexibility. It also promotes a more important role for governments, universities, towns and regions in order to ensure effective implementation and to boost the impact of initiatives and actions undertaken.

Programmes

The strategy paper 2007-2013 and the indicative programme 2007-2010 identify the priority action areas of the IRP. They distinguish five priority areas for the period 2007-2010.

The promotion of reforms through EU advice and experience aims at supporting the reform process in ENPI beneficiary countries. On the basis of experience acquired during the transition process of the ten new Member States, this priority is based mainly on the following:

  • the technical assistance and information exchange programme (TAIEX), which provides targeted advice and know-how, notably as regards convergence of legislation forming the Community acquis.
  • support for the improvement of public institutions and management systems (SIGMA) launched by the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Europe. Its objective is to facilitate economic integration and political cooperation with the EU.

Promotion of higher education and student mobility, is an area that is essential for the development of partner countries, mutual understanding between peoples and interpersonal contact. The Tempus programme constitutes a framework for reform of higher education and the promotion of cooperation between establishments. A scholarship scheme will be established in order to promote student and teacher mobility. The latter will be based on experience gained from the Erasmus and Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window programmes. A more important role will be assigned to partner countries as regards programme management.

Promotion of cooperation between local actors in partner countries and the EU is a fundamental objective of the ENP based on the exchange of experience and know-how. However, given the lack of structures, a cooperation programme will be set up first of all between local and regional authorities in order to strengthen democratic governance and sustainable regional and local development.

Promotion of the implementation of ENP and the Strategic Partnership with Russia concerns primarily their thematic policy areas, such as energy, environment and infrastructures. This programme supports information and dialogue activities in particular at inter-regional level in order to strengthen mutual understanding amongst opinion formers and citizens in partner countries.

The objective of promoting investment projects in ENP partner countries is to mobilise additional investments in order to support an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness involving the EU and its neighbours. These additional funds will make it possible to improve the infrastructures connecting the EU with neighbouring countries in the areas of transport and energy, to meet the common environmental challenges and to support socio-economic development in partner countries.

Arrangements

Funding for IRP for the period 2007-2010 amounts to 523.9 million, of which 40 million has been allocated to the first priority action area, 218.6 million to the second, 14.3 million to the third and 250 million to the fifth. The envelope for the fourth objective depends on the progress of the ENP and the partnership with Russia.

The indicative programme 2007-2010 gives an idea of the expected results for each priority, such as:

  • the improvement in the legal and regulatory frameworks and their implementation;
  • reform and modernisation of higher education in partner countries and better mutual understanding;
  • a transparent selection process and greater visibility for mobility and scholarship schemes;
  • strengthening of governance by local and regional authorities in partner countries and strengthening of links between them;
  • effective action and information and dialogue activities at inter-regional level in order to create awareness of ENP action.

In order to measure their impact, partners define performance indicators at the time the programmes are being drawn up (number of partnerships, visibility, progress identified in the reports, national and thematic spread of actions, relevance of activities, etc.).