Following the format we kicked off last month, we continue with a review of March 2025. Learn about our latest advocacy updates, along with upcoming events and resources. With latest developments in the EU policy agenda - many new initiatives are expected to impact schools students and school student unions. Thus, we ensured to provide additional context - as presented by European and International institutions. 

Shaping the future of Education 

With various policy initiatives being introduced or updated, it is very important to us to invest in cooperation with civil society and key stakeholders of the education sector. An example of that cooperation is our membership and OBESSU's active role within th Educational Leadership Network Europe. During March, ELNE hold a variety of webinars, workshops, and interactive sessions as part of the European Education Month. The activities focused on "Collaborative Leadership for the Future of Education", bringing together a variety of stakeholders and ensuring equal representation and meaningful engagment of learners, educators and policy makers. 

In continuation of our good relations, we were happy to engage with Baha'i International Community Brussels Office as part of their roundtable discussion on "Reimagining Racial Justice: The Need for Transformative Policies" and their paper titled "Towards A European Union Anti-Racism Strategy". The discussion brought forward diverse insights and raised important questions about the role of education in fostering unity and instilling a sense of justice, and how collective agency and ownership can be strengthened in working towards a more just society.

As shared in the previous edition and in light of the EC's Communication titled "A Competitiveness Compass for the EU", Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness - Roxana Mînzatu presented the "Union of Skills" initiative at  EU Social Forum 2025. Taking a deeper dive into the details and following a series of presentations on the iniative, including by representatives of DG Reform, DG EMPL and DG EAC during the 10th meeting of OECD's Group of National Experts on School Resources and by DG EAC at the EDEH HUB's webinar titled "The Union of Skills: Strengthening Europe’s Future through Basic Skills and STEM Education"  on Te while being aware and following the reactions published by other civil society organisations.

Reinforcing Democracy and empowering Civil Society

With increasing challenges across the regions, we value and stay committed to our mission and action as a civil society organisation (CSO). During this month, the EESC organised 2 activities focusing on CSOs and the challenges we face at across the region and the world. First, the Civil Society Organisations' Group (CSO Group) hold the Conference titled "Turn up the volume for civil society! Key actions for the EU's new political cycle" tackling the topics of funding civil society organisations and reinforcing effective and sustainable civil dialogue. 

Like previous years, EESC organised 2025's edition of the Civil Society Week under the theme "Strenthenging Cohesion and Participation in Polarised Societies". Besides our engagement with the EESC, we also follow up the work of the CoR and initiatives guided by the Charter on Youth and Democracy. In doing so, we joined Youth Forum along other YFJ members at SEDEC's 2nd meeting as part of a scheduled youth dialogue, taking place after a series of key policy discussions and the approval of the SEDEC Commission's Work Programme for 2025. 

Climate Action and Cooperation across the region 

As part of finalising and publishing the JTP WGs 2025 Implementation Plan (exp. April 2025), a series of meetings were held between the JTP staff, the Stakeholder Engagement (SE) and the Equal Opportunities (EO) WGs . The process included the presentation of input and feedback as provided by stakholder (Circle 2 - Members), the DG Regio and other relevant DGs. We look forward to starting off the process and ready to support and promote all Action Plans - while our engagment and main focus as OBESSU will cover the Action Plan covering trainings and workshops for youth, focusing on raising awareness and fostering their engagment.

Moreover, as being an ECP Partner - OBESSU had our own information stand and took part across the several sessions organisd during the European Climate Pact’s annual event - Together in Action. The event brought more than 500 people to Brussels, providing us along Ambassadors and other Partners an opportunity to connect, reflect and get inspired, celebrating the power of collective action to drive climate solutions across Europe. 

Tackling the issue of Climate Action, we also continue to focus on issues collected to the digital transition and ensuring that student unions are engaged and recognised for their role as core stakeholder. That was our main message when attending the 10th meeting of the Group of National Experts on School Resources (OECD), during our own intervation and throughout the different topics addressd. Our engagement was supported by relevant papers and recommentations driven by OBESSU's own and collective advocacy efforts and showcasing key outcomes and practices as driven by projects like Innovation Station and InclusiVET. 

*Note - MFF Consultation - (check Feb' update): As we work together with other partners and setting up OBESSU's position on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), we also encourage all relevant stakeholders to share their views - no later than May 7th.

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