The Eurydice annual Heads of Unit meeting took place in Brussels between October 5 and 6. The meeting offered participants the opportunity to provide their input to the ambitious projects of the Eurydice Network, including upcoming reports, the use of open data, enhanced communication activities and the planned enlargement of the Network in 2024. Eight collaborative sessions reflected on important achievements, provided mutual feedback, and encouraged the strengthening of the work of national units as part of a European Community of Practice. But more than anything, the meeting created a space for open collaboration and networking among experts passionate about the field of education. 

During the meeting, colleagues from the Directorate General for Education and Culture praised the Network's recent publications on language teaching, informatics education, teacher salaries, mobility in higher education, as well as student fees and support. The latter, notably, is the first in a series of interactive publications that highlight key data about important aspects of education systems. The aim is to enhance accessibility and engagement of users by providing a tool that allows them to tailor the experience with the data to their needs. These interactive publications will serve as a valuable evidence base that supports the development of education policies.   

An interactive workshop served as a cornerstone for the Community of Practice, facilitating open discussions among the Heads of Unit. As the group contemplates reimagining the way in which information on education systems is provided on the Eurydice website in the National Descriptions section, there was a strong interest in enhanced collaboration through initiatives such as peer-review processes, the introduction of new report features, and the expansion of training opportunities. 

In the next year, the primary emphasis will be on several important reports encompassing a wide array of education topics. These reports will delve into areas such as entrepreneurship education, equity, digital education, higher education, and student well-being. Moreover, Network members were thrilled to learn about the possible expansion of the Network to Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, further improving the scope of the network and the availability of data on education outside of the European Union.  

With promising prospects on the horizon, the participants envisioned a future where information is easily accessible, enabling stakeholders to drive positive change in the field of education. Reflecting on the future of the Eurydice Network after the meeting, one Head of Unit expressed interest in learning “How to grow the network activities at global level [and] how to increase the visibility of the network [...]”. The Network’s initiatives will continue empowering policymakers, educators, and researchers to make informed decisions based on comprehensive and up-to-date data. Bringing together passionate experts dedicated to advancing education throughout Europe, the Eurydice Heads of Unit meeting proved to be a resounding success. 

Authors: Olga Alexandrova and Veronika Prokopova