Amplifying School Students’ Voices in Europe and Beyond – February 2026

While winter still lingers outside, inside the OBESSU office, things are anything but frozen. The team has been fully engaged, refining strategies, strengthening partnerships, and keeping momentum strong as the year unfolds.

VET Strategy Consultation Process

As the European Commission is progressing with the development of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy, OBESSU and the European Apprentices Network (EAN) joined forces to contribute to the various channels provided for consultations. First, OBESSU submitted a written contribution (co-signed by EAN) on the Call for Evidence linked to the VET Strategy. In addition, we followed a series of thematic webinars organised by DG EMPL. Across the different themes, OBESSU highlighted how vital it is to ensure recognition of learners’ agency, while addressing the need for strong quality assurance that reflects learners’ lived realities. 

Skills Portability Initiative 

In light of the Skills Portability Initiative put forward by the European Commission, OBESSU has been involved in a consultation process to provide school students’ perspectives. While closely coordinating with partners – like the Lifelong Learning Platform -, we continue to share our core message: skills validation and portability must be learner-centred, understandable, and genuinely usable across borders. OBESSU drafted a contribution to the Call for Evidence, stressing the need to ensure that learners are seen and engaged as equal stakeholders. Parallel to this consultation, we also took part in an online meeting addressing National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs), which offered space to share practices that can support educators and learners to address needs through the NQFs recognition systems.

The Price of Trust – Shaping Democratic Renewal 

During February, we actively engaged in a variety of events led by EU institutions, Permanent Representations and other stakeholders. In line with OBESSU’s long-term commitment to democratic participation and social justice, we continuously highlighted the need for accessible and inclusive channels of participation, combined with resources aimed at empowering school students. To truly foster their ability, as learners and as young people, to shape democratic renewal, we must ensure that decisions are made with their support and engagement in an environment of trust. A principle that strongly aligns to our “Nothing About Us, Without Us” motto and is applicable across the different fields we have been addressing (EU budget, VET, Migrant Education etc.) 

Strengthening Advocacy Capacity Through EMPASY

Within the EMPASY Project, OBESSU took part in SOLIDAR’s webinar on planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating advocacy campaigns. The session strengthened shared know-how for designing advocacy that is both values-driven and evidence-informed, helping translate students’ priorities into strategies that land at national and European levels.

Women and Girls in Science: Challenging Barriers Early

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, OBESSU joined partners and advocates in recognising women’s contributions to scientific knowledge, while also confronting persistent gender gaps in STEM education. OBESSU stressed the need for systemic change starting in school environments, where stereotypes, guidance pathways, and learning cultures can still push girls away from scientific careers long before “choice” is truly free.

Research to Policy: Smartphones, Social Media, and School Life

In the latest edition of “Research to Policy (R2P)” webinar, participants explored the impacts of smartphone and social media restrictions on education, a topic where the “simple solutions” tend to hide complex trade-offs. OBESSU emphasised the need for evidence-informed approaches that protect digital wellbeing without sliding into blanket restrictions that undermine students’ autonomy. The goal should be responsible digital cultures in schools, built with students, not imposed on them.

Erasmus+ and the Post-2027 MFF

While active across relevant events (MOSAIC, YFJ), coordinating and sharing updates with members of the Erasmus+ Coalition, we also made sure to be present at the European Parliament hearings (Education, Volunteering) that will shape the Parliament’s position. We and other key stakeholders continue to share our common view towards a programme that is properly funded, genuinely accessible, and governed with youth representation. In this context, OBESSU shared a Statement on Erasmus+ and the post-2027 MFF, underlining the need for sustainable funding, stronger inclusion, and meaningful learner involvement.

Ongoing engagements

As part of our ongoing coordination and partnerships, during February and in preparation of the upcoming months, we had an active presence at:

  • Just Transition Platform (JTP) Working Group – Follow Up and next steps linked to Action 5, focusing on youth and equal opportunities in the green transition.
  • JRC Learning Lab Café – The 1st for 2026 took place at the end of February, tackling education’s role in inclusion, democratic resilience, and long-term social cohesion.
  • European Climate Pact community – Preparation of the Annual Flagship event scheduled in March, while following up on this month’s webinars titled “ABC of EU Climate Policy” strengthening shared understanding of climate governance and its relevance for youth advocacy 
  • Lifelong Learning Platform – kicking off this year’s LLLAB series (Ep. 1 & 2), with more to come in March.

IAIE and HOU Call for Papers

The International Association of Intercultural Education (IAIE) is accepting papers for its upcoming international conference, co-organized with the Hellenic Open University (HOU). The event will focus on the multiple challenges that educators face in their quest to create more just and inclusive societies.For registrations and submissions please visit this link.

Mark your calendars

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