The second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci Program (Council decision dated April 26, 1999) has the objective of developing and spreading innovation to systems and practices involved in professional training in Europe, as well as providing a common European-wide standard. It does this by enabling European partners to work together, thus contributing to the promotion of a “Europe of Knowledge” and bolstering the competitiveness of the European Labour Market.
The Leonardo da Vinci II Program (January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2006) was created from the experience of the previous phase of the Program (1995-1999). It promotes the community political views as stated in the European Council of Luxembourg in the communication “Working Towards a Europe of Knowledge”, in the book “Teaching and Understanding: Working Towards a Cognitive Society” and in the book “Education, Training, Research: Trans-national Mobility Obstacles”, and is consistent with the second phases of the Socrates and “Gioventù per l’Europa” programs.
In an effort to simplify the overall structure of the Program, the Leonardo da Vinci II Program has three main objectives:
To promote skills and abilities in initial professional training programs, especially for younger generations.
To improve the quality of continuous professional training as well as the life-long acquisition of skills and abilities.
To promote and reinforce the impact of professional training as a part of the innovation process, in order to improve competitiveness and entrepreneurship.
The Program is especially focused on individuals with difficulties in the work-force, including the disabled, and to promote equal opportunities between men and women to fight against discrimination.
While still maintaining its main characteristics, in 2007, the Leonardo da Vinci Program was integrated into the new generation of Programs (2007/2013), Life Long Learning (www.programmallp.it), which represents one of the four sector-based sub-programs. 
