The Life-long Learning Programme is a result of a new integrated approach that the European Commission plans to apply in the area of education, commencing from 2007. The following four specific programmes are included in the new programme:
1. Comenius - pre-school and primary education
2. Erasmus Mundus - higher education
3. Leonardo da Vinci - professional education and training
4. Gruntvik - adult education
In addition to these programmes, the Programme includes Transversal Programme as well as Jean Monnet (focused on support of activities related to the European integration as well as institutions acting in the area of education and training).
The general objective of these programmes is to contribute to Community development as an advanced knowledge society. Furthermore, the programme will insist on increasing the rate of exchange, cooperation and mobility between educational and training centres in the Community.
The implementation programme process will be evolved by forming appropriate National Agencies. This means that the countries willing to participate in the Programme will initially be obliged to meet this necessary institutional precondition: establishing a National Agency in the area of education. The Commission will enter into contracting relations with the National Agency if the latter meets the conditions foreseen.
The Ministry of Education and Science is the National partner institution responsible for implementation and coordination of the activities related to the Programme.