Erasmus+ budget breakdown and the Centres of Vocational Excellence

13.10.2020

Question for written answer E-005591/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Laurence Farreng (Renew), Irena Joveva (Renew), Ilana Cicurel (Renew), Vlad-Marius Botoş (Renew), Radka Maxová (Renew)

The content of and actions financed by the future Erasmus+ programme are currently being discussed as part of the ongoing interinstitutional negotiations. The Erasmus+ budget breakdown is strongly linked to the future agreement on the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework. However, the Commission already announced its aim to create 50 Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in its recent communication on achieving the European Education Area by 2025 (COM(2020)0625). The creation of these CoVEs is a Commission initiative, which has not yet been discussed during the interinstitutional negotiations and for which the budget (within the Erasmus+ budget) has not yet been decided.

• 1.Since it does not seem to be possible to double the Erasmus+ budget, as initially proposed by the Commission, what budget scenario is the basis for the funding of these 50 CoVEs?
• 2.More generally, how can the Commission announce the creation of so many CoVEs without having any certainty about the future programme’s budget and its breakdown?
• 3.How does it intend to ensure sustainable and stable funding for the existing CoVEs?