In recent years, the European Union has placed increasing emphasis on skills development as a foundation for competitiveness, social cohesion, and long-term resilience. Initiatives such as the European Skills Agenda and the emerging concept of a “Union of Skills” articulate a strategic vision for strengthening lifelong learning systems, improving skills anticipation, and aligning education and training more closely with labour-market needs within the EU. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that skills systems must be adaptive, inclusive, and forward-looking in order to respond to technological change, demographic shifts, and the green and digital transitions.
This strategic orientation also provides a useful reference point for understanding the EU’s external engagement in skills development. Beyond Europe, contexts differ significantly in terms of institutional capacity, labour-market structures, demographic dynamics, and access to resources. Against this wider skills development landscape, Erasmus+ plays a distinct role by translating shared principles - such as relevance, inclusion, quality, and cooperation - into practical actions tailored to partner countries. The focus of this document is therefore on how Erasmus+ supports skills development in regions outside Europe, and how its implementation responds to regional priorities and constraints through concrete co-operation projects, mobility schemes, and capacity-building initiatives. Skills are central to global social progress, economic growth, and resilience. In today’s world of rapid technological and demographic change, the main factor shaping opportunity is the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge. In third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, where education and workforce needs are changing, developing skills is vital for employability, innovation, and social inclusion. By aligning their strategies with international standards, these countries seek to build robust skills ecosystems that better prepare their populations for future employment, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
In this context, the Erasmus+ Programme is the EU’s main initiative for education, training, youth, and sport. Launched in 2014 and renewed for 2021–2027, it supports learning mobility, co-operation, and policy innovation in Europe and beyond. Erasmus+ has broadened its engagement with partner countries, advancing human capital development through student and staff exchanges, capacity-building in higher education, vocational and professional training, youth initiatives, and digital and green skills partnerships. These activities support partner institutions in modernising teaching and learning, improving digital readiness, strengthening governance, and building inclusive, future-oriented skills systems.
At its core, Erasmus+ equips individuals with skills and competences for personal development, labour-market integration, and active civic engagement. Concurrently, the programme supports institutions in updating curricula, integrating digital technologies, expanding international networks, and fostering cross-border collaboration. Through these multifaceted engagements, Erasmus+ enables education to contribute directly to economic competitiveness, community resilience, and democratic stability. Its outreach to third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ Programme is particularly important, as it allows regions with emerging or transitioning labour markets to engage in global knowledge exchange, co-develop innovative solutions, and reinforce the foundations of long-term capacity building.
Accordingly, this publication explores how Erasmus+ supports skills development in third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, drawing on evidence from a range of projects that address three areas fundamental to national development:
- skills for employment,
- skills for teaching and learning, and
- skills embedded within broader policy and system-level reforms.
Through these perspectives, the analysis highlights innovative approaches that strengthen education systems, enhance workforce ecosystems, and expand institutional capacities in partner countries. It demonstrates that transnational collaboration provides a practical framework for advancing shared priorities, including digital transformation, green transition readiness, inclusive education, and social cohesion.
Download your copy from the Publications Office of the European Union here:
Erasmus+: Building Skills Worldwide
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