The number of autocratical states worldwide is rising – this is the conclusion reached by the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s latest Transformation Index 2026. In Europe, too, democracies are coming under increasing pressure.
Europe Day on 9 May commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 1950 – the starting point of European integration. In an interconnected yet fragile world, this vision is more relevant than ever. Joint action, mutual learning and a spirit of solidarity are crucial to securing peace, prosperity and democracy. We at the OeAD are committed to this mission and aim to support it as effectively as possible through our activities.
Europe is experienced in Austria every day – in schools, universities and educational institutions, as well as in the workplace. This is where exchange, cooperation and innovation take place, shaping the future of Europe. Through its activities, the OeAD makes a significant contribution to driving this development forward. It strengthens European cooperation in the sectors of education, science, youth and sport, promotes internationalisation and supports a united, diverse Europe. International mobility and the exchange of knowledge broaden perspectives, strengthen skills and ensure the future viability of education systems and Austria as a location.
OeAD managing director Jakob Calice:
“Europe thrives on exchange and the willingness to learn from one another. Especially in times of great change – from digital development to social and environmental challenges – education is the key to developing joint solutions. European programmes and initiatives lay the groundwork for this: they connect people, highlight skills and strengthen the resilience of our societies. As Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, the OeAD helps to actively harness these opportunities for Austria and Europe.”
Europe at the OeAD
Actively shaping and utilising the European Education Area: The OeAD is involved in European and international cooperation in a variety of ways. This strengthens the European dimension at all levels of education and promotes the internationalisation of the Austrian education landscape. Mobility is facilitated and the comparability of qualifications and education systems is advanced.
At the heart of it all is the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, which offers people a wide range of opportunities. Learning, studying, teaching, working or doing an internship in another country – all of this is possible. Kindergartens, schools, higher education institutions, vocational and adult education institutions, as well as organisations in the youth and sport sectors, are all eligible to take part. “I recommend an internship abroad to everyone, because you learn new skills and come back much more independent,” says Vanessa, a mechanical engineering apprentice (2025) at KNAPP AG, Hart site
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is designed for young people aged 18 to 30. It offers the opportunity to get involved in voluntary projects and, in this way, learn more about Europe at . Anyone aged 18 can, with a bit of luck, travel around Europe by train for free with DiscoverEU.
Furthermore, the OeAD is a partner in European networks such as Euraxess, which supports researchers in their mobility and careers. Through initiatives and tools such as Europass, Euroguidance and the National Qualifications Framework, the OeAD helps to make skills visible and ensure they are comparable across Europe. One of the educational policy objectives of the Bologna Process is a common European Higher Education Area, and the OeAD contributes to its practical implementation.
Through the Digital Skills Office established within the OeAD, Austria is making an important contribution to this joint European initiative and strengthening the digital skills of people across the country.
The OeAD Centre for Citizen Science is integrated into European networks for participatory science and for cooperation between research and education. Since 2025, the OeAD has also been participating in the Horizon Europe project RIECS-Concept, in which technical and organisational concepts for a research infrastructure for citizen science are being developed in collaboration with twelve other partner organisations from a total of eight countries.
The OeAD also supports education and academic relations with the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. This includes the Central European network CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies), which facilitates study and teaching placements at universities in partner countries, as well as the programme for higher education and research cooperation with Kosovo, funded by Austrian Development Cooperation.
The OeAD in Europe
For many years, Austria has been working together with its partners to bring the countries of the Western Balkans closer to the European Union. This process makes a significant contribution to securing peace and stability in Europe and is of particular importance to Austria due to its geographical proximity and historical ties to the region. The education sector plays a central role in this – particularly vocational education, in which Austria enjoys a high international reputation. Educational Cooperation with Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (BIKO) promotes exchange and cooperation between educational institutions in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Austria, thereby supporting sustainable educational reforms in the pre-university sector. The OeAD maintains a network of cooperation offices in the partner countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, which are facilitated by Austrian representatives for educational cooperation.
International teaching experience strengthens the Austrian education system in the long term. Programmes such as ‘Teaching Worldwide’, ‘German as a Foreign Language’ and the lectureship programme enable knowledge, perspectives and experiences from abroad to be brought into the system.
As a member of the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), the OeAD works with European partners to actively promote the internationalisation of higher education.
In this way, the OeAD plays an active role in shaping Europe – through education, exchange and shared commitment.