The Basque Government

The Basque Government (Eusko Jaurlaritza/Gobierno Vasco) is the regional Government of the Basque Country (Euskadi). Its degree of autonomy in policy areas including education, industry, culture, health and social security and services has led the Basque Country to achieve a high rating in the Human Development Index: eighth place in the world. Industry is the driving force of the Basque economy, accounting for 24.1% of GDP, and it aims to lead the fourth industrial revolution: 128% productivity per employee. Commitment to innovation is the hallmark of the Basque Country, commitment that brought in recognition and resources at European level. The Basque Country is the autonomous community in Spain that assigns the highest percentage of its GDP to R&D, 1.89%.

Regarding education, schooling in the Basque Country is compulsory from age 6 and free from 3 to 16 years old. Euskadi has the lowest dropout rate (7.7%) for young people between 18 and 24 years old, and 48.9% of people aged between 30 and 34 with have higher education The Basque Country directs its efforts toward implementing a clear, close educational model, providing value and quality assurance. Its commitment to developing talent in people, concentrated in a nursery for highly qualified professionals, who are prepared to take the reins of the future, both locally and internationally, has been reinforced. In this sense, an increasing need in qualified professionals in science and technology is foreseen in the coming years. Therefore, the Basque Government is currently developing the STEAM-Euskadi Strategy, using an integrated and collaborative approach between the education and industry, with the following goals:

1. To guarantee education in the scientific and technological areas in the curriculum and the literacy needed by the society in an increasingly complex, changing and highly technified world.
2. To inspire students professional vocations and aspirations in STEM areas in order to have more, better and versatile professionals.
3. To attract less represented groups such as girls to scientific and technological fields
4. To favour education in science and technology in students facing social inequality situations.