This Erasmus+ report looks at how STEM education is supported in schools across Europe. It is based on desk research, 265 interviews, focus groups, EU programme analysis, and country comparisons across EU Member States and selected non-EU countries. The report finds that many school systems still face major issues, such as split policy responsibility, teacher shortages, fixed curricula, unequal access to labs and digital tools, weak links to non-formal learning, and limited tracking of results. It also highlights good practices, including national STEM plans, cross-subject teaching, inquiry-based learning, better teacher training, investment in school infrastructure, and stronger links with businesses, universities, research centres, and civil society.

EU programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility are shown to play an important role in supporting STEM reforms. However, the report says these efforts need to be better linked, longer-lasting, and more strongly based on evidence.