On 1 January 2025, Poland will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time, leading its work for six months. The Republic of Poland is part of the presidency trio with the Kingdom of Denmark and the Republic of Cyprus, who are set to follow in assuming the presidency. The trio’s programme is organised around the following themes: 

• A Strong and Secure Europe, which refers to external actions, security and defence, migration and border protection, enlargement and internal reforms. 
• A Prosperous and Competitive Europe, which deals with various components that make up competitiveness, twin transition, innovation, environment and social affairs. 
• A Free and Democratic Europe, which contains references to EU values such as rule of law and human rights. 

While the Polish Presidency’s agenda is largely focused on security issues and strengthening collaboration with Ukraine, as well as Caucasus and Central Asia countries, among others, several initiatives are planned in the education field. Overall, the work of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council will focus on the activities supporting young people and enhancing their European identity as well as inclusive and resilient education systems. The following milestones are put forward: 

• High-level discussions on the evaluation of the implementation of the first Cycle of the European Education Area with a view to define prospects for further cooperation and its priorities for the second Cycle in 2025- 2030. 
• High-level discussions on the shape of programmes in the field of education after 2027, building on the mid-term evaluation of the current Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes, offering a response to the changing needs and expectations of the EU citizens, but also taking into account the possibility of participation of citizens from third countries, so that the European Union is seen as an attractive place to learn and study. 
• Continued work on the higher education package, in particular with plans for a European degree, mobility, and the future of the European Universities Initiative. 

The Presidency will also organise a high-level expert conference on the new Multiannual Financial Framework in February 2025, followed by the discussions at the informal General Affairs Council. The European Commission will present the draft Multiannual Financial Framework by mid-2025. 

One of the achievements of the outgoing Hungarian Presidency of the EU in the field of higher education is the adoption of the Council recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education, acknowledging the diversity of academic career paths, and the value of both teaching and research, and motivating higher education professionals to take part in a broader range of career-related activities, including cross-border educational activities (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, May 2024, April 2023, June 2023, August 2023).