European Edtech Alliance Update April 24
News from the world of European Edtech
Digital education is the new electricity
A word from the EEA Chair
This week, we were invited to the launch of the European Commission's midway review of the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 (DEAP) in Brussels. It was a moment to reflect on progress, yet it underscored the urgency of our journey ahead. Are we doing enough to secure Europe's competitiveness? And do we need a digital strategy for education?
In our daily lives, from checking football scores, and navigating disinformation and security issues, to managing our household finances or keeping in touch with our loved ones, digital skills are a vital component of citizenship. Yet, shockingly, almost half of Europeans lack even the most basic digital skills and as we know, 90% of all professional roles now demand digital proficiency. Digitisation is fast becoming a question of empowerment and democracy.
Shockingly, almost half of Europeans lack even the most basic digital skills and as we know, 90% of all professional roles now demand digital proficiency.
The DEAP sets the ambitious target of achieving 80% digital literacy by 2027. To meet these goals we must increase these skills by 6% annually. This is a massive undertaking. Governments must step up. In November 2023, EU Member States signed recommendations that include setting national digital strategies for education and training, investing in teachers' professional development, enhancing tools, infrastructure, and equipment, and fostering public-private partnerships. As these are “soft law” it is up to each government to actually set policy to improve their competitiveness.
In this era where the digital and physical worlds are so closely intertwined, we cannot simply turn the switch off. Digital is a ubiquitous part of private and work-life, education, growth and democracy, in the same way as we experience electricity today. By not having an equal distribution of skills providing access to these digital spaces, we are creating a divide similar to the one we see in areas without access to electricity. In order to bridge these gaps, we need digital strategies, that value inclusivity, critical thinking, and collaboration between all stakeholders. And it is very clear that the countries who put such a strategy into action will be the winners of the future.
We strongly believe that the intersection between research, the education sector, and the European edtech industry is where we will find the nuanced solutions together. Understanding the skills goals we have and the need for equitable digital access in our world today, we can’t accept a lack of strategy for digital education, like there has been for electricity. To get there, we will need meaningful collaborations between stakeholders: Its a joint responsibility.
-Jannie Jeppesen, Chair of the board, European Edtech Alliance
EEA News:
Exploring Trust and Evidence in EdTech
This year’s SETT in Stockholm (Scandinavian Education Technology Transformation) featured a one-day long special workshop format targeting education stakeholders from across the Scandinavian countries to network, share experiences, and gain a Nordic perspective on the most current educational issues. The workshop aimed to gather diverse stakeholder perspectives on challenges and opportunities related to quality assurance in EdTech. Read the full report of the workshop here!
Save the Date: EEA Webinars
We are happy to share with you the dates of our upcoming webinars. We are working together with our members, partners and friends to offer insights into a great variety of topics.
Save the date and register via our website! We will share more detailed information soon via our LinkedIn profile.
Policy News:
A review marking the half way point of the The Digital Education Plan of the European Commission took place on the 29th of April in Brussels. This event highlighted some of the key achievements, which have occurred in the past three years.
These include guiding Member States through the pandemic with immediate and long-term approaches for blended learning, launching the first major European event on digital education, having #ESTEAM fests, which boost women and girls’ digital and entrepreneurial competencies and reached 1500 women and girls, the launch of the European Digital Education Hub, guidelines for teachers and educators including tips and lesson plans as well as educating around misinformation and AI, and a year-long structured dialogue leading to the adoption of council recommendations. Additionally, SELFIE for schools has reached 40.000 schools across 83 countries, helping schools reflect how they are using digital technologies, and 180.000 teachers have explored Selfie for teachers. DigiEduHack, an initiative the EEA supports through participation on the advisory board, was also featured and the winners from 2023 presented their solutions.
You can watch the entire video of the review event here where the plans for the coming years are discussed in more detail and key stakeholders presented their most urgent needs and thoughts for the future.
Opportunity:
EdTechX Awards
This is a great opportunity for your company to be showcased on a prestigious stage in front of an expansive network of investors, potential partners and customers. The awards presentation will take place during London EdTech Week at a celebratory gala dinner on 18th June. Find more information and apply here!
Growth Academy: AI for Education
A three-month program providing education startups leveraging AI with essential growth skills, internationalization strategies, and Google tools to help them scale and innovate responsibly. Learn more and apply here!
Funding and M&A News:
Spanish Kokoro Kids received 2.25m € for its platform focused on inclusive online learning for children and young people aged 2 to 15.
Berlin-based a2zebra raised 500k € to use AI for math learning success with TukToro.
UK-based Edtech Unicorn Multiverse acquired AI intelligence platform Searchlight that builds AI-based recruitment and assessment products.
LMS365, the workplace learning, engagement, and performance platform acquired HR technology platform Valuebeat to elevate workplace culture and employee engagement.
French Edflex acquired OfCourseMe and its platform for aggregating content for employees.
Upcoming Events:
Click on links for more information and tickets!
7th May: EdTech Austria Summit in Salzburg, Austria - Agenda
5th-7th June: ICDE Leadership Summit in Geneva, Switzerland - Program & Tickets
17-21st June: London EdTech Week - Registration & Program
9th-11th July: Digital with Purpose Global Summit in Cascais, Portugal - Agenda
18-19th September: Learning Conference for L&D in Stockholm, Sweden- Tickets
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This newsletter is written and produced by the European Edtech Alliance. The European Edtech Alliance is a consortium of national trade associations and clusters working with founders and providers of education technology (Edtech), to support the domestic and international growth of these businesses and the innovations they represent. European Edtech News is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.