Brussels, 25 November 2024
Youth
Glocal opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas
The Council approved conclusions calling for greater support for young people living in rural and remote areas – in particular by improving access to ‘glocal’ opportunities in education and employment – as a way to combat demographic challenges in Europe. ‘Glocal’ in this context refers to the ability to think globally and act locally.
All young people in Europe should have equal access to quality education, training and job opportunities, yet too often those living in rural and remote areas are left behind. Today’s conclusions highlight the challenges faced by rural youth and call on member states and the Commission to foster “glocal” opportunities for young people to ensure they have equal possibilities locally.
Balázs Hankó, Hungarian Minister for Culture and Innovation
- ‘Glocal’ opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas (Council conclusions)
- ‘Glocal’ opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas: Council approves conclusions (press release, 25 November 2024)
Opportunities for rural youth
Ministers held a policy debate on the evolving demographic trends shaping opportunities for rural youth. The discussion focused on the impact of an ageing population on labour shortages, competitiveness and resilience, as well as territorial, economic and social cohesion.
Ministers’ interventions focused on three areas: the demographic trends that most affect young people in rural and remote areas; ways to empower rural youth to prosper locally; and best practices at all levels to mitigate regional disparities and prevent rural depopulation.
Suggested measures to encourage young people to stay in rural areas included providing better access to key services such as education, affordable housing, public transport and a reliable broadband connection, and boosting youth organisations that encourage young people to take an active part in their community.
- The evolving demographic trends shaping opportunities for rural youth (steering note)
- Watch the recording of the public session
10th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue
The Council approved a resolution on the outcomes of the 10th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue, which runs from mid-2023 to the end of 2024. The resolution presents the outcomes of the cycle and the recommendations that emerged from the EU Youth Conference, which took place in Budapest from 7-10 September 2024.
EU Youth Strategy Work Plan 2025-2027
The Council approved a resolution on the EU Youth Strategy Work Plan, which presents the main priorities and actions to be implemented during the period 2025 to 2027. In particular, it looks at the European Youth Goals that will be addressed by the upcoming presidency trios.
Other business
The following items were dealt with under other business:
- Outcome of the discussion at the informal EU Youth Dialogue breakfast meeting (information from the presidency)
- Work programme of the incoming presidency (information from Poland)
Informal breakfast
An informal breakfast took place in the framework of the EU Youth Dialogue, on the significance of communities and intergenerational solidarity.
Education
Attractive and sustainable careers in higher education
The Council has adopted a recommendation encouraging EU countries to make careers in higher education more attractive and sustainable.
The recommendation stresses the need to acknowledge the diversity of academic career paths, and highlights the importance of valuing teaching as well as research.
It also includes measures to incentivise higher education professionals to take part in a broader range of career-related activities, including cross-border educational activities.
The EU’s higher education institutions nurture future generations and produce the highly skilled workforce that our economies need. Today’s recommendation highlights the importance of valuing teaching on a par with research, and calls for greater recognition of the full range of career paths and activities available to academic and professional staff.
Balázs Hankó, Hungarian Minister for Culture and Innovation
- Council recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education
- Council adopts recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education (press release, 25 November 2024)
Boosting future-proof skills and competitiveness through higher education
Ministers held a policy debate on boosting future-proof skills and competitiveness through higher education. The debate built on the recommendations of the Draghi report and explored the need to respond to labour demands by addressing the skills gap.
In particular, ministers debated the merits of boosting future-proof skills and competitiveness through cross-border cooperation, such as via the planned European degree. They also stressed the benefits of investing in higher education institutions as engines driving the EU’s competitiveness. Among other aspects, ministers highlighted the relevance of digital skills and education on sustainability, as well as the importance of aligning degree courses with the needs of the labour market.
- Boosting future-proof skills and competitiveness through higher education (steering note)
- Watch the recording of the public session
Strategic partnerships in education and training
The Council approved conclusions on strategic partnerships in education and training. The conclusions stress the benefits of strategic partnerships to Europe’s competitiveness and call on member states to promote such partnerships at transnational, national, regional and local levels.
In its conclusions, the Council also invites the Commission to support the establishment and implementation of strategic partnerships and transnational cooperation in education and training, by providing guidance and identifying funding opportunities.
Other business
The following items were dealt with under other business:
- Work programme of the incoming presidency (information from Poland)
- MED9 Ministerial Summit for Education for Sustainable Development and Green Transition in the Mediterranean region (Limassol, 27 June 2024) (information from Cyprus)
Informal lunch
An informal lunch debate was chaired by Zoltán Maruzsa, Hungarian Minister of State for Public Education, focusing on mobile phone use in schools.
A items
Today, the Council approved the joint text on the EU’s general budget for 2025. Total commitments are set at €192.768,6 million and the total payments at €149.615,7 million, excluding appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027 (MFF).
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Preparatory documents
- Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional list of A items, legislative deliberations
- Provisional list of A items, addition 1
- Provisional agenda
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
- Syria: Council adds three individuals to sanctions list for continued repression and human rights violations
- Jordan: Council adopts an EPF assistance measure in support of country’s Armed Forces
- Unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean: Council prolongs restrictive measures for a further year
- Council adopts recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education
- ‘Glocal’ opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas: Council approves conclusions
- Council gives go-ahead to EU annual budget for 2025
Source – EU Council