Go back

Cyprus EU Council Presidency: Lifelong Learning Priorities

06/01/2026

As of 1 January 2026, Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union under the slogan “An Autonomous Union. Open to the World.”

The Programme of the Cyprus Presidency sets out a strong focus on strengthening EU autonomy and unity by turning complex geopolitical challenges into opportunities through cooperation, resilience and tangible action – with clear relevance for education, skills development and social cohesion across Europe.

From EARLALL’s perspective, the Programme outlines the following priorities of particular relevance to lifelong learning:

Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning

  • Strong emphasis on lifelong learning, inclusion and citizenship education.
  • Advancing the Union of Skills, with a learner-centred approach aligned with the European Education Area.
  • Focus on upskilling and reskilling for the green and digital transitions.
  • Special attention to Vocational Education and Training (VET), including attractiveness and integration of new technologies, notably AI.
  • Support for teacher professional development and adoption of Council Conclusions on teachers in the era of AI.
  • Driving Erasmus+ negotiations under the new MFF, with a focus on inclusiveness and international outreach.

Employment, Labour Market and Social Europe

  • Promotion of fair, inclusive and quality employment, labour market policies guided by Quality Jobs Roadmap, the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
  • Emphasis on future-proof skills, quality jobs and decent working conditions in a changing labour market.
  • Advancing discussions on fair labour mobility, social security coordination and protection of workers’ rights.
  • Strengthening the role of social partners and public employment services in skills development.

Youth, Inclusion, Equality

  • Reinforcing youth participation and dialogue with policymakers.
  • Supporting the review and next phase of the European Youth Strategy.
  • Focus on social inclusion, tackling poverty, and supporting vulnerable groups, including through education and training.
  • The Presidency will host a High Level event in Brussels in March 2026 on the forthcoming European Strategy for Gender Equality 2026-30.

Green and Digital Transitions

  • Linking skills and training to the green and digital industrial transformation.
  • Promoting workforce development to support sustainability, innovation and competitiveness.

We invite you to explore the full programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union for further details.