Amplifying School Students’ Voices in Europe and Beyond – August 2025

We hope you had some time to rest. As summer comes to an end, at OBESSU we are set and ready to jump on our usual speed again towards ensuring that European education policies effectively integrate the students’ perspective. Here is a quick recap of what the advocacy team has been up to in the previous months and of opportunities to engage with in the weeks to come!

European Commission shares their proposal for the post-2027 EU Budget (MFF): As we have shared in the past – regarding the process of the MFF and setting up the EU Budget, it was no surprise that this would be the case this year. As expected, the announcement came in July. What was rather unexpected is how it was done and in the end how will the negotiations proceed. If you want to find out more about the proposal – check HERE. 

Ending a chapter, yet many more shall come – As the Inclusive Engagement of Underrepresented Students in Vocational Education & Training (InclusiVET) project comes to a close, we want to share how thankful we are to all the partners and stakeholders we reached through this project in the past 3 years. We are also very proud of the work done, dedicated to strengthening inclusive learner engagement in VET systems across Europe. This project might be coming to an end, but we remain commited and we will make sure to build further more partnerships focusing on VET and inclusive learner engagement. Meanwhile, take a look at our Policy Recommendations – a short and a long version is available for you. 

Statement on awaited Declaration focusing on VET – ahead of its announcement at the meeting of Ministers responsible for VET in September, OBESSU, together with the European Apprentices Network (EAN), welcomes the upcoming Herning Declaration. Through our Statement, we recognise the document as a framework that can guide Member States, and all the stakeholders involved, towards the development of more inclusive and attractive VET systems for all. Meanwhile, both OBESSU and the EAN commit to represent apprentices’ voices in its implementation to ensure that the Declaration’s ambitions translate into a meaningful and long-lasting impact on the learning experiences, personal development, and future opportunities of all VET learners and apprentices.

Mark your calendar:

  • 6th Observance of the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack, OHCHR (9th September)
  • OBESSU Meeting with Ms Alina Ujupan, Head of Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu (10th September)
  • 18th Summit of Educated Digital Citizens: Empowering Connected Generations, ALL DIGITAL AISBL (10-12 September)
  • Launch Conference of the Herning Declaration, Danish Presidency (11-12 September)
  • Youth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Micallef, European Commission (16th September)
  • Human Rights Council (HRC) biennial panel on youth and human rights, HRC (16th September, 10:00-12:00 CET) – Follow it here
  • Innovative VET Practices Event, EVBB (17th September)
  • Official Launch of the European VET Teachers Survey, CEDEFOP (25-26 September)
  • STEM Education Roundtable, WindEurope (30 September)

Useful Resources:

Newer
State of the Union (SOTEU 2025) – What lies ahead for learners across secondary education, VET and apprenticeships?
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Older InclusiVET Project – Ending a chapter, yet many more shall come