Source: European Parliament
Responsibility for education and the content of teaching lies with Member States; the Commission supports through mutual learning activities within the European Education Area[1] strategic framework.
In 2024 the Commission published two sets of guidelines[2] addressing wellbeing and mental health at school. The guidelines promote a whole-school approach to wellbeing, emphasising prevention and encouraging physical and cultural activities and proper nutrition.
The Erasmus+ programme funds projects like Foodship pathways[3], targeting educational staff and food system actors fostering students’ sustainability competence, environmental literacy and global awareness.
The Commission remains committed to working with Member States and stakeholders to develop and engage in a dialogue on the lifelong prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This includes the promotion of healthier food choices, addressing food reformulation, the impacts of ultra-processed products, and the effects of certain food marketing practices on the most vulnerable consumers.
The ‘Healthier together’ initiative[4] provides the strategic framework in addressing NCDs and risk factors. The Commission supports work between Member States through ‘joint actions’ and projects, such as the Health4EUKids[5], aiming at implementing best practices and research findings on healthy lifestyles and obesity among children.
In addition, the Commission’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway[6] provides reliable, independent and up-to date information on nutrition and other risk factors for NCDs.
It provides information on national food-based dietary recommendations in Europe and on key nutrition aspects, and policy options to address them.
- [1] https://education.ec.europa.eu/
- [2] https://education.ec.europa.eu/news/supporting-wellbeing-at-school-new-guidelines-for-policymakers-and-educators
- [3] FOODSHIFT Pathways: https://foodshift-pathways.eu/
- [4] https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/healthier-together-eu-non-communicable-diseases-initiative_en
- [5] https://www.dypede.gr/health4eukids/
- [6] https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/health-promotion-knowledge-gateway_en