As the LINEup project concluded its second year of activity in January 2026, it entered a decisive phase, strengthening its analytical foundations while accelerating the development of tools, evidence, and policy-relevant insights to tackle educational inequalities across Europe. Year 2 marked a shift from building knowledge to making evidence usable – for researchers, policymakers, and schools.
From Mapping to Shared Understanding
One of the main achievements of LINEup’s second year was the conclusion of its extensive mapping work and the publication of the Mapping Report in July 2025. This report provides a systematic overview of how educational inequalities are currently measured across Europe, highlighting common patterns, persistent gaps, and opportunities to better connect research, policy, and educational practice.
Covering longitudinal datasets across 32 European countries, the mapping identifies and analyses over 100 datasets from 24 countries on student learning outcomes in primary and secondary education (ISCED 1-3).
To support shared understanding beyond expert audiences, LINEup also produced a visual infographic summarising the main mapping results. Available in all project languages, it helps stakeholders quickly grasp key findings and navigate complex evidence.
Making Data Usable: The LINEup Education Data Explorer
A second cornerstone achievement was the launch of the LINEup Education Data Explorer. Designed as an interactive and accessible tool, the Explorer allows users to navigate and compare key indicators related to educational inequalities across countries and over time.
More than a data repository, the platform reflects LINEup’s commitment to evidence-informed policy by enabling users to explore and compare datasets across contexts, identify patterns and gaps, and support the formulation of new research and policy questions.
From Evidence to Policy Dialogue
In September 2025, LINEup published its first Policy Brief , translating comparative research insights into concise, actionable messages for policymakers. This marked an important step in strengthening the project’s policy engagement, bridging analytical work with current European policy priorities and setting the basis for continued dialogue in the final project phase.
Deepening the Evidence Base: Ongoing Research Activities
Alongside these outputs, LINEup advanced two core research strands that will shape its final results:
- A feasibility study, exploring how Europe’s existing education data infrastructures can be better connected, compared, and used to study educational inequalities over time.
- A qualitative research, engaging schools and stakeholders to capture lived experiences and contextual factors that quantitative data alone cannot fully explain.
Together, these activities reinforce LINEup’s mixed-methods approach, combining systemic analysis with insights from educational practice.
Expanding Outreach
The second year also marked a step change in communication. LINEup released its first two cartoon videos, translating complex concepts into engaging, accessible narratives for wider audiences. In parallel, the project launched its LinkedIn page to share updates, resources, and insights with a growing community of stakeholders interested in evidence-based education policy.
Looking Ahead
As LINEup moves into its third and final year, the foundations laid during year 2 – robust mapping, accessible data tools, policy-oriented outputs, and strengthened collaboration – position the project to maximise its impact. With ongoing research feeding into upcoming deliverables, LINEup continues to pursue its core ambition: supporting more equitable, informed, and effective education policies across Europe through high-quality evidence and meaningful dialogue.
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