Regions and cities call for simpler and better access to funding to boost skills development across Europe

During a debate on 14 October with Roxana Mînzatu, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, local and regional leaders called for better resources and funding in the next EU budget to implement the Union of Skills Strategy, a key initiative under the European Pillar of Social Rights. In an accompanying opinion led by Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca Municipality, members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)  stressed that investing in skills is the EU’s strongest driver of competitiveness.

The European assembly of local and regional politicians called for simpler, more accessible and better coordinated EU funding in the new EU long-term budget (2028-2034), and for local and regional authorities (LRAs) to be recognised as indispensable partners in delivering the Union of Skills and social inclusion strategies across all EU regions. They emphasised that Union of Skills and the Anti-Poverty Strategy should be mutually reinforcing, as empowering citizens with skills promotes employment and combats poverty and social exclusion. 

Following the debate with Commissioner Mînzatu, local and regional leaders adopted the opinion on the Union of Skills Strategy and further stressed that investing in skills is key to Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and cohesion, especially in rural, remote and less-developed regions. They reaffirmed the crucial role of LRAs in adapting education to local needs and called for structured dialogue with EU institutions to ensure that EU policies reflect local realities. 

Members of the CoR emphasised the need to modernise education and training through greater investments in STEM skills, digitalisation and vocational training, while addressing teacher shortages. They called for strong partnerships with businesses and academia to build regional skills ecosystems that foster innovation and retain talent. 

The CoR also advocated for tailored strategies to integrate vulnerable groups into the labour market, alongside with stronger support for workplace-based and lifelong learning. Members underlined that better recognition of qualifications across Europe and data-driven skills policies, are essential to preparing Europe’s workforce for future challenges. 

The European Pillar of Social Rights provides the EU’s framework for promoting social justice, fair working conditions and equal opportunities. The Union of Skills Strategy, launched this year by the European Commission, is one of its key priorities and aims to equip citizens with the competences needed for the green and digital transitions. The challenges are significant. Only 37% of adults participated in training in 2023, below the 60% target for 2030, and skill shortages continue to grow at a time when the working-age population is shrinking and 3.5 million jobs across the EU remain unfilled.

Quotes: 

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "In too many places, local companies face difficulties to hire the right person, with the right set of skills. I am glad to see that the Union of skills both will make it easier for workers to move in the EU with a strengthened recognition of diplomas and portability of rights, while also strengthening their opportunities in their own places, by reinforcing basic skills acquisition, reskilling and their readiness to join the green and digital economy. Competitiveness can not only be about a few high-tech hubs, it has to rest on a solid social and economic fabric in all EU regions." 

Roxana Mînzatu, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness: “People expect action — and that means placing social fairness at the heart of every decision we take. Quality jobs, education, skills, and strong social inclusion must be our priorities. These are what will drive a competitive and cohesive Europe that delivers real results and opportunities for all its citizens.” 

Rapporteur Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca Municipality: "Local and regional authorities are not just implementers of policies decided elsewhere. They are the true architects of transformation. They build lifelong learning ecosystems, foster innovation hubs, and bring schools, universities, SMEs, civil society, and citizens around the same table. That is why the Union of Skills must be co-designed with cities and regions — not simply delivered to them.”  

Background

• Video and photos from the debate.
• On 5 March 2025, the European Commission launched the Union of Skills, a strategy that brings together a number of mainly non-legislative initiatives to boost competences for people and competitiveness for employers.
• According to figures from the European Commission, Europe’s working-age population is expected to shrink by 1 million per year until 2050, and doctoral graduates in ICT fell by 25.5% between 2015 and 2022, undermining competitiveness. By 2030, 20 million workers will require retraining, with at least 85% of jobs demanding digital competence.
• The 2025 EU Annual Report on the State of Regions and Cities, published by the CoR on 13 October, highlights that "according to a 2023 Eurobarometer survey, most EU citizens identify population ageing (42%), a shrinking working-age population and labour shortages (40%) as key concerns in their countries."
• Reinforced quality framework for traineeships (CoR opinion, 2024).
• Skills and talent mobility (CoR opinion 2023).
• Mentoring: a powerful and meaningful tool for the Europe of tomorrow (CoR opinion, 2023).
• European Strategy for Universities (CoR opinion, 2022).