Coronavirus: EU supports Member States dealing with the impact of the pandemic on the education, youth and culture sectors

The Commission is continuing to support EU Member States as they deal with the substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools and universities, on young people and on the cultural and creative sectors. At meetings via videoconference on 18 and 19 May 2020, EU Education, Youth and Culture Ministers shared information on their experiences of dealing with the crisis. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, updated them on the Commission’s latest activities to help them find solutions. Commissioner Gabriel said: “During our constructive discussions over the past two days, I called on EU Ministers to back two initiatives under preparation under the Erasmus+ programme. The first would support distance learning and acquiring digital skills. The second would support skills development, digital competencies and social inclusion through the arts, linking our education, training and youth stakeholders with our grassroots organisations in the cultural and creative sectors. These are extraordinary times and we must mobilise all instruments at our disposal to respond to the crisis.”More information is available in press releases from the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU.