Thematics - 18 European reforms

Explore 18 selected educational policy reforms from across Europe targeting educational inequalities.

Browse the target group categories below or ask our AI Assistant in the corner to compare specific national mechanisms.

Select the reform you want to know more about by clicking the link below.


1. Socio-economically Disadvantaged Groups

๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด Romania

National Hot Meal Program
Programul Naศ›ional โ€žMasฤƒ sฤƒnฤƒtoasฤƒโ€

Targeted nutritional and financial support to improve school attendance and reduce drop-out rates among disadvantaged learners.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ Poland

Free Kindergarten Hours & Financial Support

Measures reducing economic barriers to early childhood education through subsidized hours and direct financial assistance.

Read Case Study โ†’

2. Disadvantaged Regions

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Italy

National Operational Programme (2014โ€“)

Targeted funding and structural interventions aimed at reducing regional educational disparities between Northern and Southern Italy.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Slovakia

Targeted Interventions in 82 Municipalities (2015)

Specific regional measures to lower geographical and socioeconomic disparities in under-resourced municipalities.

Read Case Study โ†’

3. Ethnic Minorities and Migrant Students

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ด Norway

Right to Education for Young Refugees and Immigrants (2014)

Legal reform securing expanded educational rights and language support for newly arrived youth.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Denmark

Act on Primary and Lower Secondary School

Targeted language competence development and linguistic support for bilingual and non-native students.

Read Case Study โ†’

4. Cultural and Religious Context

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece

KESPEM Reform (2010)

Educational integration initiative aimed at preventing isolation of the Muslim minority in Thrace.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany

Recommendation on Anti-Semitism in Schools (2021)

Joint policy recommendation to combat discrimination and antisemitism within school curricula and school culture.

Read Case Study โ†’

5. Roma Students

๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด Romania

Desegregation Measures (2004, 2007)

Policy ban on educational segregation and subsequent action plans to integrate Roma children into mainstream schooling.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ Hungary

รštravalรณ & MACIKA Bursary Programmes (2005/2011)

Combined bursary and mentoring program supporting disadvantaged and Roma students through secondary and vocational education.

Read Case Study โ†’

6. Early School Leavers / NEETs

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช Sweden

Paths Ahead Strategy (2015)

National strategy targeting young people not in employment, education, or training (NEETs) at ISCED 3 level.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡น Austria

Youth Coaching (2012)

Tailored support, guidance, and pathway planning for vulnerable youth at risk of early school leaving.

Read Case Study โ†’

7. Special Educational Needs (SEN)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Slovenia

Placement of Children with Special Needs Act (2000)

Comprehensive legal framework governing placement and individual support for SEN pupils across ISCED levels 1โ€“8.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช Belgium (Flemish Community)

M-Decree (2014)

Reform reinforcing the right of pupils with special educational needs to enroll in mainstream schools with adequate support.

Read Case Study โ†’

8. LGBTQIA+ and Gender

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น Malta

Trans, Gender Variant and Intersex Students Policy (2017)

Pioneering school policy promoting inclusion, safety, and institutional support for gender-diverse students.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Ireland

LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy (2018โ€“2020)

Cross-sectoral strategy aimed at creating inclusive educational environments and wellbeing support for LGBTI+ youth.

Read Case Study โ†’

9. Holistic Approaches Covering Several ISCED Levels

๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ England

The Equality Act (2010)

Broad legislative framework establishing public sector equality duties across educational institutions.

Read Case Study โ†’

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Finland

Student Welfare Act (2013)

Systemic reform shifting student support toward communal, preventive, and early-intervention welfare services.

Read Case Study โ†’