European Commission

EU Support on Bologna Commitments

Ministry responsible for higher education

In 1987, through the joint efforts of the European Commission, national authorities, higher education institutions, and students, the Erasmus programme was born to promote closer cooperation between universities and higher education institutions across Europe, facilitating student exchanges and mobility. This lay the ground for greater and better-structured cooperation between higher education institutions and has become one of the biggest success stories of the EU. The Erasmus+ Programme also provides support to the Bologna process through a targeted call for project proposals to support the implementation of the Bologna commitments. These are crucial to consolidate the trust necessary for the further evolution of the European Higher Education Area, on which the EU builds its own strategies. Through this call, the EU also co-funds the BFUG secretariat.

As Erasmus+ has grown in scope and impact, the European Commission has co-developed several tools crucial to delivering on Bologna commitments, including:

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) A network of National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARICs) Eurostudent the European Higher Education Sector Observatory (EHESO) Europass
QF Body
Erasmus+ national agency
Employers representatives

General information

Recognition of Professional Qualifications

The European Commission has been a full member of the Bologna Follow-Up Group since 1999. The Commission’s policies to achieve a European Education Area in the field of Higher Education are closely linked with the Bologna Process with strong mutual synergies.