European Education Area
The European Education Area (EEA) aims to guide Members States towards achieving a shared area for education, through a shared vision, cooperation between Member States, and exchange of good practices. It was formally established in 2018.
The EEA sets the shared goals for higher education at EU level, as well as vocational education and training (VET) and synergies between different educational sectors.
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Significant issues in the EEA
Erasmus+
EURASHE advocates for an Erasmus+ programme that remains genuinely accessible to universities of applied sciences and their students. We work both individually and through the Erasmus+ Coalition.
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Vocational Excellence
EURASHE’s objective is to strengthen the bridge between vocational excellence and applied higher education, ensuring that Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) and universities of applied sciences develop complementary, mutually reinforcing skills pathways.
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Union of Skills
Launched in 2025, the Union of Skills is an initiative aimed at addressing skills shortages and needs across the European Union. One of its key achievements so far is the establishment of the European Skills High-Level Board, an informal expert group of which two members are representatives from EURASHE member institutions.
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European Degree
Through consultations, the European Degree Policy Lab, and European Degree Forum, EURASHE has played an active role in shaping the development of the European Degree. By establishing dedicated task forces, we have contributed significantly to addressing the needs and challenges faced by the European applied university sector.
Role of EURASHE
EURASHE engages directly across all the EEA pillars:
- joining CoVE consortia and consultation panels,
- issuing formal position papers on the Union of Skills and skills-related communications,
- chairing our own Sounding Board on the European Universities Initiative,
- being a part of the working groups on Higher education and VET and the green transition.
Finally, EURASHE is also a member of the Advisory Group of the European Qualifications Framework.
Our objective in the EEA is to ensure that mobility, recognition and quality assurance practices reflect the practical-oriented character of applied education.
