LEONARDO - First phase: 1995-1999

Action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy

Summary

On December 6, 1994, the Council of Ministers of the European Union adopted the Leonardo da Vinci programme for the implementation of a Community vocational training policy (Official Journal L 34O, 29 December 1994) .

This programme, adopted for a period of five years (1995-1999) had a key objective of supporting the development of policies and innovative action in the Member States, by promoting projects in the context of transnational partnerships which involve different organisations with an interest in training.

The programme had a total budget of 620 million ECU for the five years and was open to the 15 Member States, the 3 States of the European Economic Space and progressively to Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Poland and the Slovak Republic.

The adoption of the Leonardo da Vinci programme also represented a rationalisation of Community action in the area of vocational training, providing the basis to enhance the value of the acquis. Leonardo da Vinci facilitated the taking forward of initiatives successfully developed under COMETT, PETRA, FORCE, LINGUA and EUROTECNET and added new dimensions.

The programm came at a time when the White Paper on "Growth, Competitiveness and Employment" forcefully emphasised the crucial importance of vocational training as a key factor in combatting unemployment and strengthening the competitiveness of European enterprises.

The programme aimed at responding to the demand for new skill needs which are generated by the evolution of our societies and tackles concretely the problem of employment in Europe which is also the priority target of the White Paper "Teaching and Learning - Towards the Learning Society" ,  approuved by the Commission on November 29, 1995.

Final Report from the Commission, on the Implementation of the First Phase of the Community Action Programme Leonardo da Vinci (1995-1999)