EU’s Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council to convene on 27–28 November
The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 27–28 November. The Council’s agenda includes vocational education and training, the European Education Area, the Erasmus+ programme, the importance of culture for democratic resilience, the AgoraEU programme, and democracy and transparency in sport. The Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026 project will also be presented at the meeting.
Education and youth issues will be on the agenda on 27 November, culture and sport on 28 November. Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie and Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Mika Poutala will represent Finland at the meeting.
In the Education Council, ministers will exchange views on the importance of vocational education and training (VET) for competitiveness and resilience. The goal is to increase the attractiveness, excellence and inclusiveness of VET. A further objective is for VET to become as valued an educational pathway as higher education.
In addition, the Education Council is expected to adopt a resolution on the second cycle of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area (2026–2030). The Council will also be invited to take note of a report on the progress of negotiations on the establishment of the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028–2034.
In youth issues, ministers will discuss strengthening the resilience of young people in the upcoming Erasmus+ programming period.
In cultural issues, the Council will seek to approve conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works in upholding European values and democratic resilience, as well as conclusions on access to reliable news as part of the European Democracy Shield.
The Council will also be invited to take note of a progress report prepared by the Danish presidency on the proposed regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme. The AgoraEU programme proposal would bring together EU funding for culture, media and civil society by combining the current Creative Europe and CERV programmes. In addition, Minister Mari-Leena Talvitie will present the Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026 project.
In sport issues, ministers are expected to approve a resolution reviewing the representation of EU member states on the foundation board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the coordination of member states’ positions prior to WADA meetings. Ministers will also discuss democracy and transparency in sport. In sport policy, the Government Programme emphasises responsible activities of civil society organisations that are open to all.
Meeting materials are available on the European Council’s official website EYCS. The public sessions of the meetings can be watched live on the Council of Ministers' website.
Inquiries:
- Education: Päivi Bosquet, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330 375
- Youth: Eija Kauniskangas, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 330 477
- Culture and AV: Kimmo Aulake, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330 067 and
- Laura Mäkelä, Senior Ministerial Advisor, tel. +358 295 330 224
- Sport: Juha-Pekka Suomi, Senior Ministerial Advisor, tel. +358 295 330 187