European Training Foundation
The European Training Foundation (ETF) is an agency of the European Union (EU) helping EU neighbouring countries to reform their education and training systems as part of EU external relations policies. By supporting human capital development, the ETF contributes to social and economic development and long-term stability in EU neighbouring countries. The ETF is based in Turin, Italy.
The ETF’s unique role is built on the expertise of its staff and nearly 30 years of experience working closely with governments, businesses, social partners and EU Delegations across the EU’s neighbouring regions. The ETF supports each country’s own reform efforts by applying a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to national needs.
Resilience, competences, and competitiveness lie at the core of ETF’s 30-year partnership with Ukraine.
We work with Ukrainian authorities, EU institutions, and international partners to modernise education and training, support EU integration, and promote inclusive labour markets.
Aligned with the Ukraine Plan for recovery, reconstruction, and accession, our support focuses on:
• Supporting modernisation and reform of Ukraine’s education, training, and qualification systems, and teacher professional development, in line with EU standards.
• Enhancing digital, green, and entrepreneurial competences, and strengthening career guidance and inclusive pathways to employment.
• Modernising governance and providing policy advice to guide effective human capital development and support Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession goals.
ETF is a partner in the Skills Alliance together with the European Commission, building synergies with other members to support Ukraine.
Key interventions in 2025/2026 include:
1. Evidence for policymaking
ETF helps monitor education, skills, and employment through tools like the Torino Process, annual reports, and the Online Job Vacancies Platform. This evidence supports informed policy decisions.
1. Supporting education, training and skills reforms
ETF contributes to the New Ukrainian School reform. It provides assistance in optimising school networks, and improving education data systems — aligned with Ukraine’s EU accession goals.
ETF enhances teacher skills using tools like the ETF Scaffold and online courses on the EU Academy platform. Professional development is underway in 120 pilot schools, with new formative assessment courses , officially recognised by the Ministry of Education and Science to be launched in 2026
Through tools such as the EU SELFIE for Teachers, ETF helps educators assess and improve their digital competences. This supports broader digital education reforms and tailored training programmes.
and Ukraine’s engagement with the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA). It also supports the creation of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) to boost innovation, green and digital skills, and cooperation between VET providers, employers, and regional actors.
3.Pathways to employment
ETF supports strengthening skills in key sectors like renewable energy, construction and agriculture. It support improving career guidance systems, and promotes inclusive employment, including for persons with disabilities.
ETF supports Ukraine’s efforts to establish a Youth Guarantee in partnership with the European Commission, ILO, and EU Member States. Through peer exchanges on policy lessons, practices, and multi-stakeholder approaches, it enables policy learning and peer exchanges to create quality opportunities for young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs).
ETF supports aligning Ukraine’s National Qualifications Framework with EU standards and increasing transparency through an improved qualifications database. It also helps advance adult learning through micro-credentials and individual learning accounts.