The "Union of skills"

The European Union is facing major challenges in the form of new labour market requirements, skills shortages and the political and economic situation around the world. In response, the European Commission has proposed a package of measures called the “Union of Skills”. These measures aim to establish

• a solid foundation through general and vocational education,
• make regular further training and retraining the new norm,
• support the free movement of skilled workers,
• and attract talent to the EU.

Education as the key to high-quality employment

The “Union of Skills” is committed to ensuring that skills and qualifications acquired anywhere in the EU can be used anywhere else in the EU. This will be achieved through measures such as creating a “European Degree Label” to develop innovative joint study programmes across the EU, and promoting European higher education alliances.

In the view of the National Agency at the DAAD, the European education programme Erasmus+ alignes with the key criteria that have now been formalised in the strategy. “For many years, Erasmus+ has been making a decisive contribution to the “Union of Skills” in the higher education sector. It has achieved this by promoting student and higher education staff mobility, improving the quality of higher education through project funding, and strengthening the European Education Area through institutional cooperation within the 65 European higher education alliances,” explains Stephan Geifes, outlining the programme's significance. He adds: “Erasmus+ stands for competence-based and value-oriented exchange and education for young Europeans. It supports individuals and projects alike, and has proven to be an integral part of the internationalisation of the European higher education system as a whole.” 

From strategy to actual projects

Another component of the newly announced strategy is flexible learning opportunities. Microcredentials, for example, are brief learning modules or training programmes that enable students and professionals to acquire skills for their personal and professional development. These are already being used to enhance qualifications, promote internationalisation, and boost mobility abroad. The European Commission plans to expand the use of microcredentials in the future to provide more employees with the opportunity to develop new skills in strategic sectors.

Moreover, this is equally applicable to financial provisions for projects. The “Choose Europe” pilot call under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme received a budget of €22.5 million to promote exceptional research, working conditions, and career prospects. Through this initiative in the Horizon Europe programme, the European Commission aims to ensure that Europe continues to play a pioneering role in basic research and leads the way in key technologies.

Three recent DAAD studies on higher education in Germany show that Erasmus+ also promotes the skills sought by employers at an individual level, it broadens horizons, and teaches European values and democratic participation. For instance, two-thirds of programme participants reported significant improvements in foreign language skills and subject knowledge, as well as in key competencies such as resilience and adaptability. These competencies are playing an increasingly important role in professional success.

In this context, intensifying exchanges and increasing the Erasmus budget to reflect these ambitions is essential, as emphasised in the “Strengthening Erasmus” resolution adopted by the DAAD General Assembly on 24 June 2025. The resolution highlights the significant social impact of the Erasmus+ programme on a united Europe. The comprehensive support that Erasmus+ provides for mobility, projects, and European higher education alliances is considered highly relevant to the internationalisation of German higher education institutions, as is the development of cooperation and internationalisation structures within these institutions. 

The resolution calls for a total Erasmus budget of at least €60 billion to be made available for the next programme generation, covering the years 2028–2034. According to the current distribution key, around €20 billion of this budget is to be allocated to higher education institutions in Europe. The resolution appeals to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the federal and state governments in Germany to support this goal.

Measures for sustainable success

To ensure long-term success, the European Skills Observatory will provide data and forecasts to identify bottlenecks in qualifications and skills in key sectors at an early stage. The “European Skills High Level Board” will also support policymakers by bringing together educational institutions, companies and social partners to provide practical recommendations. A report evaluating progress in the European Education Area is also planned. This will assess progress to date and guide adjustments to the strategy for the period from 2026 to 2030. As part of the European Semester, the European Commission will also issue a new recommendation on education and skills.

With the “Union of Skills” as its strategic framework, Erasmus+ is playing an increasingly important role in establishing a networked education system and equipping future generations with the skills needed to collaborate in Europe. The programme has been shown to play a vital role in nurturing the talent that will determine Europe's future.