Digital skills are therefore no longer seen as an additional qualification, but as an integral part of general education. The new action plan for basic skills  emphasises this development and aims to ensure that all learners – regardless of age, background or educational background – have access to digital learning opportunities. At the same time, the strategic plan for STEM education aims to promote scientific and technical skills and thus secure Europe’s innovative strength in the long term.

In order to make access to further education more flexible and inclusive, the use of digital micro-credentials is being expanded. These enable Europe-wide recognised, modular qualifications that are particularly attractive for retraining and part-time learning. At the same time, the European University Alliances will be further strengthened in order to promote cross-institutional cooperation and drive forward innovative educational approaches – particularly with regard to the integration of digital technologies in teaching and administration.

Equipping and qualifying teachers in the field of digital education remains a key challenge. This is where the European Digital Education Hub comes in: As a platform for exchange, knowledge transfer and joint development, it plays a key role in systematically developing digital skills and overcoming the fragmentation of the European education and higher education landscape.

The strategic framework for the coming years is the planned Roadmap 2030 for digital education and skills development, which is based on the revision of the Digital Education Action Plan and is to be published by the end of 2025. It will summarise the long-term goals and measures to make Europe’s education system fit for the digital age.