5.1.3 | European Edtech Map

EUROPEAN EDTECH POLICY MAP

Promote cross-ministerial coordination

Strengthen and fund collaboration through EdTech support organisations

Support spaces for knowledge exchange and dialogue

Promote cross-country knowledge exchange on evidence building

5.1. Opportunities for learning and (knowledge) exchange among stakeholders

5.1.3 Support spaces for knowledge exchange and dialogue

Summary of suggested actions

Strengthen and expand spaces for multi-stakeholder knowledge exchange and dialogue on challenges, opportunities and trends in the EdTech ecosystem.

Description

Partnerships are essential for building understanding between different stakeholder groups about the challenges faced by various parts of the ecosystem. They offer a meaningful way to address these challenges collectively, helping to reduce fragmentation. Existing initiatives that create spaces for knowledge sharing and dialogue where public-private partnerships can develop and thrive should be strengthened and expanded.

Major enabling factors

Established EdTech associations, research consortia, and education innovation hubs that can act as facilitators or hosts of dialogue spaces.
Advancing digital collaboration tools that enable continuous and accessible engagement across geographies, such as Miro or Zoom for instance.
Growing demand for alignment between innovation, regulation, and pedagogy, creating shared incentives for dialogue between public and private sectors.
Existence of EU-level initiatives that already convene education and innovation stakeholders, such as the European Digital Education Hub, the European Commission’s Roundtable for EdTech and strategies like the Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027).

Major roadblocks

Absence of sustainable funding mechanisms for long-term dialogue structures beyond project-based grants or specific political terms.
Unequal stakeholder participation, particularly from SMEs, schools, and underrepresented regions.
Potential tensions around neutrality, particularly when public-private collaboration is involved, requiring transparent governance frameworks.

Suggested actions: Institutionalise regular exchange formats between different EdTech stakeholders, both nationally as well as at EU level

WHO (Potential actors)

European Commission (DG EAC, DG Connect, DG GROW); National ministries of education and innovation, digitisation or economic affairs; EdTech associations (e.g., EEA), teacher unions, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders; research institutions; public and private innovation hubs.

WHAT (Goal of suggested activities)

Establish recurring multi-stakeholder forums at both national and EU levels dedicated to EdTech policy, evidence, and innovation exchange.

HOW (Suggested activities)

Build on existing successful formats like the European Commission’s Roundtable on EdTech by making it a permanent platform with defined working groups (e.g. on trust, evidence, and interoperability).
Encourage member states to replicate this model at national or regional level to strengthen local dialogue and ensure two-way communication between EU and national actors.
Rotate hosting responsibilities between different countries and organisations to ensure diversity and shared ownership.
Provide multi-year funding for national alliances or coalitions that coordinate these forums.
Require hubs to publish annual insights reports summarising shared findings and recommendations for national and EU policy.

Existing steps in the right direction

EdTech Coalition (Hungary)

The EdTech Coalition in Hungary was founded as a national alliance in 2023 to create dialogue between Hungary’s three education-related ministries, universities, and the private sector. The goal is to bridge policy gaps, enhance cooperation, and develop  joint recommendations for policymakers as a professional community. Since then, it has grown into a community of more than 60 member organisations representing universities, companies, and public institutions across Hungary. The EdTech Coalition operates through several levels of engagement to ensure both strategic alignment and active collaboration among its members:

Strategic direction: A plenary meeting is held at least once a year, where members discuss long-term priorities and sectoral trends.
Operational coordination: The Board of the Coalition meets at least quarterly to review progress, assess new membership requests, and oversee ongoing initiatives.
Professional coordination: A scientific programme director supervises the work of the thematic working groups and ensures the implementation of Board decisions.
Working groups: Each working group has a leader approved by the Board. They meet as needed and provide quarterly progress reports on their activities.
Monthly member calls: All members are invited to join an open online session where they can share “Top of Mind” updates, challenges, or relevant sectoral news with the community

Specific support required to achieve the Goal:

Continuously encourage organisations, schools and universities to join the Coalition in order to strengthen it and allow for online participation to ensure accessibility for all members across the country.
Carefully manage communication to maintain neutrality and build trust, while also managing the diverse expectations of different stakeholder groups.

European Digital Education Hub

The European Digital Education Hub (EDEH) is a community of practice for digital education and training, uniting stakeholders from across all educational sectors, including the EdTech ecosystem. It provides members with a platform to connect with peers who share similar interests and expertise, fostering engagement and potential partnerships. The EDEH connects over 7,000 members from all over Europe and beyond, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange in digital education. Key stakeholder groups include education experts, researchers, academics, educators, education providers (schools, VET and adult learning centres, universities), NGOs, and businesses. Since 2022, EDEH has supported peer learning and partnerships through thematic squads (online working groups), where members engage on shared interests. Through monthly webinars, in-person workshops, and a curated library of resources, members can gain insights into topics like AI, digital skills, and micro-credentials.
The EDEH is a project of the European Commission and funded through a service contract with its Executive Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). It is one of the action lines of the DEAP

Specific support required to achieve the Goal:

The challenge lies in continuously bringing added value to members.

European Commission Roundtable

Under the guidance of DG EAC, EdTech organisations from around Europe were brought together to identify key challenges facing European Edtech communities. Together the group recommended clear and actionable ways to come together and ensure that future innovations can be sustainably supported and bold new visions for education implemented.

Specific support required to achieve the Goal:

This type of commission-led activity would need to be revamped and applied to current challenges under the current Commissioner.
A round-table may not be enough in the existing climate and something more structured like a policy lab could provide longer-term support and possibilities.