Lack of translations from English to other official EU languages of key documents in the Erasmus+ section of the Commission's website

27.2.2014

Question for written answer E-002305-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska (PPE)

Youth organisations and organisations that work with young people have welcomed the new EU Erasmus+ programme for education, training, youth and sport. The previous programme, Youth in Action, was a tool for change in many local communities. For years, actions were implemented under this programme that changed the lives of many young people, especially those who were socially excluded.

Nonetheless, particular attention should be given to the need to ensure that all Member States and citizens, no matter how wealthy they are or how talented they are with languages, have equal access to the Erasmus+ programme.

1. Why are so many key documents and links in the sections of the Commission’s website dedicated to Erasmus+ — specifically ‘Erasmus+ overview’, ‘Erasmus+ opportunities’ and ‘Programme guide’ — available only in English?

2. Why does the Erasmus+ section of the Commission’s website still lack documents and columns adapted to the specific needs of youth organisations?

This state of affairs constitutes a blatant act of discrimination against citizens and organisations that do not know the English language. The objective of the website is to help the citizens of EU Member States to make the best possible use of the Erasmus+ programme. Therefore, all of the documents should be available in all of the official languages of the EU.

OJ C 320, 17/09/2014