European Trade Union Committee for Education

Education trade unions from across Central and Eastern Europe gathered in Tirana on 20–21 May 2026 for the ETUCE Central Eastern European Roundtable, bringing together national organisations, experts and partners to exchange on the key challenges facing the teaching profession and to strengthen regional cooperation.

The Roundtable opened with a strong focus on trade union rights and international labour standards. Contributions from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Education International highlighted that freedom of association, collective bargaining, and social dialogue are fundamental rights, essential to ensuring decent working conditions and quality education systems.

Participants also explored how these rights are protected in practice through international mechanisms. Discussions on ILO supervision processes and reporting systems underlined the important role of education unions in monitoring implementation, raising violations, and holding governments accountable at both national and international levels.

A key focus of the Roundtable was the link between education and democracy. Exchanges highlighted growing challenges, including political polarisation, attacks on democratic rights, disinformation, and increasing pressure on teachers’ professional autonomy. Participants emphasised the role of education unions in promoting democratic citizenship education, fostering critical thinking, and supporting inclusive and safe learning environments.

At the same time, the Roundtable addressed internal challenges facing education unions, including the need for renewal, stronger communication, and better engagement with younger generations of teachers. Strengthening social dialogue and making union work more visible and accessible to wider audiences were highlighted as key priorities.

A central and highly valued component of the meeting was the group work sessions, which enabled participants to move from discussion to concrete proposals. Working in small groups, education unions identified shared priorities and explored how to develop joint initiatives and cross-border projects.

Across these exchanges, several common priorities emerged. Participants stressed the need to improve the attractiveness of the teaching profession, including through better salaries, working conditions, and career prospects, as well as addressing staff shortages and an ageing workforce. The defence of public education systems, equitable funding, and improved infrastructure also featured prominently in the discussions.

Broader themes such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, school safety, and teachers’ wellbeing were also identified as areas requiring more coordinated action. Participants highlighted the importance of equipping teachers with the tools and support needed to respond to these evolving challenges.

Building on these priorities, dedicated sessions on funding opportunities provided practical guidance on how to translate ideas into concrete projects. Participants explored EU programmes such as Erasmus+, CERV, and social dialogue funding, as well as other European and international funding instruments. These opportunities were presented as key tools to support capacity building, policy work, and transnational cooperation among education unions.

The Roundtable also emphasised the added value of joint European projects in strengthening cooperation, sharing good practices, and amplifying the voice of education trade unions across the region.

The second day continues with discussions on European education policies, cooperation with the Council of Europe, and ongoing work on the future of the teaching profession, before concluding with reflections on next steps.

Through this Roundtable, ETUCE and its member organisations reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening trade union rights, promoting democracy, and ensuring that teachers’ voices are central in shaping the future of education in Europe.

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