The EU Council gives the green light to the Common European Diploma and approves other important documents in the field of education, youth and sport

14. 05. 2025

The EU Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) met again on 12-13 May 2025. Read what the ministers adopted.

Education

In the field of higher education, the Council adopted two documents from the so-called Higher Education Package presented by the European Commission last spring. These are a Council Resolution on a joint European degree label and the next steps towards a possible joint European degree and a Council Recommendation on a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education. The documents respond to the urgent need to strengthen the attractiveness of European universities and enhance their global standing in a time of growing geopolitical challenges. Both documents stress that they refer to the label only and, although discussions on the Common European Diploma itself are ongoing, the Council has not yet taken a decision on its possible introduction and any reference to the Common European Diploma in the two documents should be understood only in that sense.

Council Resolution on a joint European degree label and the next steps towards a possible joint European degree

In the Resolution, the Council approved the creation of the joint European degree label. The label will be awarded to joint degree programmes leading to a single joint diploma, delivered by at least 2 universities from at least 2 EU Member States and meeting the so-called European criteria (annexed to the Recommendation). The label will be awarded by national quality assurance agencies registered on the EQAR list, agencies fully implementing the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes and universities with institutional accreditation. In the Resolution, the Council envisages 3 phases for the implementation of the label and for the potential development of a joint European degree:

the development of the joint European degree label to be completed in 2025 and 2026
between 2026 and 2028, the use of the label is to start, while monitoring and evaluation of its implementation is to take place, and the European Commission and EU Member States are to carry out research and a feasibility study on the joint European degree
in 2029, the Council of the EU is to decide on possible further steps towards a joint European Degree

For the successful implementation of the label, a dedicated Policy Lab is to be established within the Working groups of the EEA strategic framework to develop a comprehensive framework for the joint European Degree label and clear definitions, descriptions, indicators and common methods for verifying compliance with the criteria set out in the Annex to the Council Recommendation. At the same time, the European Commission plans to launch two calls under Erasmus+ to support the development of the joint European Degree label by the end of 2025. One will be aimed at universities and will support institutions wishing to develop degree programmes that meet the European criteria. The second call will target relevant ministries, national accreditation agencies and other actors at national level to map their national system and take the necessary steps to implement the joint European Degree label in their country.

Council recommendation on a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education

The second document addresses the overall strengthening of the quality assurance system in higher education institutions in Europe and the possibility of creating a specific quality assurance framework for alliances of higher education institutions (not only European University Alliances). The assurance of quality standards at all universities involved in a given joint programme is a key prerequisite for the introduction of the joint European Degree label and the eventual introduction of the joint European Degree. The Recommendation therefore calls on Member States to ensure that quality assurance processes are agile, internationalised and fit for purpose, enabling universities to respond to and contribute to the dynamic societal changes affecting them. Furthermore, Member States should encourage the introduction of automatic mutual recognition of qualifications in the Member States.

The Recommendation contains two annexes, one on the basis for exploring the possibility of creating a specific quality assurance framework for alliances of higher education institutions (the possibility of a single external quality assessment of the entire educational offer provided within the alliances). The second annex contains the aforementioned European criteria that joint degree programmes must fulfil in order to be awarded the joint European Degree label. For example, the joint degree programme must offer students a physical mobility of at least 30 ECTS (which may be divided into several placements) and at least 6 months at one or more partner institutions abroad and must offer alternatives for students who cannot travel, such as virtual or combined mobility. Programmes must be interdisciplinary and inclusive. They must also fulfil and promote European values and offer students opportunities to develop their digital and green skills.

Furthermore, in the field of education, the Council adopted Conclusions on inclusive, learner-centred practices in early childhood education and care and school education to promote resilience and inclusiveness at these levels of education. The conclusions call on member states to promote integrated and comprehensive strategies aimed at the active participation of all pupils. In addition, they also call for the strengthening of teachers' professional development, the removal of existing barriers or the cooperation of all relevant actors, including parents.

The policy debate this time focused on the role of the Union of Skills in strengthening the European Education Area, including a discussion on which of the proposed initiatives should be prioritised.

Youth

In the field of youth, the Council endorsed two documents. The first is the Council conclusions on a community of young people in Europe, based on European values for a common and safe Europe, which aim to find appropriate ways to empower the young generation facing challenges related to democratic citizenship, digital and media literacy. The document also recommends that Member States make full use of the opportunities offered by the progammes such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

The second document adopted by ministers is a Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council reviewing guidelines on the governance of the EU Youth Dialogue. The Resolution reflects developments since the last revision in 2019 and takes into account the experience gained so far in the framework of the ongoing EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027.

During the policy debate, member state representatives discussed the threats young people face in cyberspace - including disinformation, manipulation and other risks.

Sport

In this area, the Council adopted Conclusions on an integrated approach to sport and physical activity in the educational context. The document highlights the importance of the school environment - both during learning and leisure time - in promoting healthy physical habits and overall physical and mental health.

The Council also held a policy debate on the role of athletes in the development of sports policy. Ministers highlighted the contribution of the experience and professional perspective of athletes and discussed ways to involve them in the formulation and implementation of policies at all levels.

For more information on all the adopted documents, see the EU Council press release.