About The Project
EDU-LAB is a three-year Horizon Europe project (2025–2027; Grant Agreement #101177428) that examines how young people (15–30) move through education and training into employment across Europe. The consortium brings together 11 partners from 9 countries (including the UK and Kosovo) and works with stakeholders at every level.
The project focuses on four main strands of research:
Modelling pathways and transitions (WP1): Mapping how young people progress through education into the labour market, and identifying the personal and social factors that shape these journeys.
Assessing policies and investments (WP2): Evaluating how policies and funding influence equity, inclusion, participation, and completion, and how efficiently they achieve results.
Qualitative analysis and expert survey (WP3): Combining large-scale data with the OSES Delphi survey of policymakers, educators, employers, youth organisations, and other stakeholders to assess current systems and future challenges.
Listening to young people (WP4): Running case studies in 12 locations across 7 countries, using focus groups, workshops, and diaries to capture youth experiences directly.
Findings are brought together in policy recommendations (WP5) to guide decision-makers. Together, these activities aim to reduce early school leaving, raise attainment, expand work-based learning, and create fairer opportunities for young people across Europe.
Research Agenda
EDU-LAB explores how social, economic, and institutional factors shape the choices and opportunities of young people as they move from education into work. The project asks:
What are the typical and less common pathways through education, training, and employment?
Which personal factors (such as gender, background, or migration status) and institutional systems (like schools, labour markets, or public services) influence these transitions?
How effective are current policies, investments, and support measures in making these pathways more inclusive and resilient?
By combining comparative research, data analysis, expert perspectives, and youth-led studies, EDU-LAB delivers new evidence and models to inform more effective education and employment systems across Europe.
EDU-LAB Project
Project Partners
A Horizon Europe collaborative project (2025-2027)
Grant Agreement # 101177428