Education plays a key role in shaping the future of individuals and societies, serving as a cornerstone for economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development. In the European Union, there is a robust commitment to enhancing educational attainment among young adults, particularly as the region sets its sights on ambitious targets for 2030.

Addressing these issues is crucial to fostering a more balanced and inclusive educational environment. As higher education institutions increasingly embrace sustainability within their curricula, they are not only preparing graduates for future challenges but are also contributing to wider societal goals.

The aim of the article is to analyse the practices employed by the European Union in the development of higher education, with an emphasis on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape in Europe.

The research methodology is based on using the method of analysing key EU documents that regulate the legal field and determine the directions of development of European policy in the field of education and training at the level of higher education.

Conclusion. The EU’s education policy is characterised by targeted, multi-vector and multi-level influences to build the European Education Area. The strategic priorities of European cooperation highlight that tertiary education is now the most common qualification in the European Union. However, there are still significant differences between different countries.

The Cohesion Policy reduces socioeconomic differences by promoting equal access to quality education. The European Education Area (EEA) helps EU countries work together to create better and more inclusive education and training systems. In 2025, the European Commission will offer new plans that focus on cooperation goals, national reforms, and updates to targets.

Key words: integration, European Education Area, higher education, sustainability, education and training, reforms.

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