Elaboration of a Lifelong Learning Strategy for Cyprus 2007-2013 (1/2008)-EN

The elaboration of a comprehensive Lifelong Learning (LLL) Strategy for Cyprus has been one of the prominent measures contained in the National Lisbon Program. The Planning Bureau was assigned the responsibility to coordinate the elaboration of the strategy. As is the usual practice in Cyprus, all key stakeholders including the Social Partners were engaged in the LLL Strategy development process. The LLL Strategy, approved by the Council of Ministers on 7th November 2007, has a 7-year time span, covering the planning period 2007-2013, in order to coincide with the time span of the European Union programming period and other important national planning documents.

Highlights of main policies, actions and measures

 The overarching strategic objective of the LLL Strategy is to empower citizens to meet the challenges of the knowledge-based society, moving between learning settings, jobs, regions and countries in pursuit of learning, and to contribute to a more prosperous, inclusive, tolerant and democratic society. The attainment of the strategic objectives leads to the development of specific strategic targets over the planning period 2007-2013

The attainment of the strategic target of providing access to LLL for all includes the following pertinent actions and measures:

•  Promoting access of all to education
• Promoting entry/ re-entry to the labour market.
• Promoting LLL for the employed and to this end providing appropriate support to enterprises, with particular emphasis to SMEs.
• Promoting LLL in the Public Sector.

 The attainment of the strategic target of enhancing LLL infrastructure and systems includes the following pertinent actions and measures:

• Enhancing/ upgrading the infrastructure and content of education at all levels from pre-primary school to the tertiary level
• Enhancing/ upgrading the infrastructure and content of training by supporting training institutions and enterprises and introducing an appropriate quality assurance framework.
• Promoting the gradual introduction of a National Qualifications Framework in conjunction with the gradual introduction of a National Vocational Qualifications System.

The attainment of the strategic target of promoting research and development includes the three following pertinent actions and measures:

•   Forecasting LLL needs.
• Research on the development of education and training systems
• Assessing the impact of LLL on the productivity and competitiveness of the Cyprus economy.

Implementing and financing the LLL strategy

For the promotion of the implementation of the LLL strategy a National Committee for Lifelong Learning will be formed, consisting of representatives from all competent authorities and key social partners. The Committee will be the body responsible for following up the implementation of the strategy and making suggestions for its future adjustments

 In addition, the government has established the new independent Foundation for the Management of European Programmes for Lifelong Learning in order to promote the participation of Cypriot citizens and organisations in the European Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013.

 The financing of the projects/schemes for LLL that will be promoted during the period 2007-2013 will come from both European Union funds (European Social Fund and the European Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013) and national funds.