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Erasmus the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport

In “Promoting our European Way of Life”

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For a brief overview of the key points of the adopted text and its significance for the citizen, please see the corresponding summary note.

The Commission published its proposal for the new Erasmus programme on 30th May 2018 in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework covering the period 2021-2027. The Commission originally proposed a budget of EUR 30 billion in current prices.

The new programme contributes towards the establishment of a European Education Area by 2025 so it promotes learning mobility to consolidate European identity and awareness of the Union’s common values.

The new programme maintains a lifelong learning perspective encompassing the sectors of higher education, vocational education, training, general education, adult education, non-formal education, youth and sport. It supports language learning, the development of digital skills and an attention to new knowledge and competencies in future-oriented areas such as climate.

In response to feedback on the implementation of the 2014-2020 programme, the new programme presents a number of actions to make it more inclusive. A new initiative, DiscoverEU, allows eighteen year olds to visit another Member State for the first time. The new programme also expands mobility opportunities for vocational education students, staff and apprentices and re-introduces mobility for school pupils and adult learners. On-line platforms stretch the mobility experience and virtual mobility allows cross-border exchanges and collaboration.

Efforts towards simplification include lighter procedures for small sized organisations and newcomers with limited administrative capacity, such as schools and associations in the adult education and youth sectors. The novelty in key action 2 is that the new programme also supports the European Universities initiative, platforms of centres of vocational excellence and the European Student card.

On 1 June 2018, the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) nominated Milan Zver (EPP) as rapporteur.  In its position adopted at first reading on 28 March 2019, the European Parliament proposed that the Commission drew up a strategy with guidelines, measures and indicators to ensure inclusive practices. Members introduced amendments to promote the excellence of projects and to ensure synergies with other EU programmes. On 10 November 2020, the European Parliament claimed to have obtained an additional € 16 billion in the MFF package for key programmes among them Erasmus on the Council’s position. The CULT committee voted on the draft regulation with 29 votes in favour and no abstentions or votes against. On 18 May 2021, the plenary adopted the act in accordance with the Council’s position unanimously.

The European Council agreed during its July summit on an allocation of € 21.2 billion. This cut Erasmus+ by 19.6 % of the Commission's proposal and 48.4 % of the European Parliament's proposal. A Parliament resolution of 23 July 2020 on the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting 17-21 July 2020 insists on targeted increases on top of the figures proposed by the European Council for flagship programmes, among them Erasmus+. In a press release on 11 December, the Council of the EU announced a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a budget of EUR 24.57 billion in current prices plus EUR 1.7 billion in 2018 prices. 83% of the total budget will be allocated to activities in the field of education and training, 10.3% to actions in the area of youth and 1.9% to sport-related activities. Council unanimously adopted its first reading position on the Erasmus+ Regulation on 13 April 2021. The Commission adopted it on 21 April 2021.

The European Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion during its plenary of 17 and 18 October 2018. The Committee of the Regions adopted its opinion during its plenary of 6 and 7 February 2019.

On 10 November, The European Parliament and German Presidency of the Council reached a political agreement on the 2021-2027 MFF and new own resources. On 17 December, the European Parliament gave its consent to the next multi-annual financial framework. The Decision was signed on 20 May, and entered into force on 8 June 2021. It applies retroactively in 1 January 2021.

Aware that European programmes dedicated to young people are still inaccessible to those with fewer opportunities, the European Commission adopted on 22 October 2021 an implementing decision to ensure the inclusiveness of the Erasmus+.  The adopted text calls for measures to support participants with fewer opportunities before, during and after their participation in the programmes: e.g., preparatory visits, language support, enhanced mentoring, personalised coaching. It also asks that such support be considered for the organisations involved.

The institution also suggests that funding could be provided under both programmes to offer training activities focused on the inclusion of people with fewer opportunities. These training activities - for example, for experts, staff of organisations, various participants - are expected to “create opportunities for the exchange of good practice, develop skills, and encourage innovative ideas on inclusion”.

The European Commission is committed to closely monitoring the implementation of measures within the EU27 through the Erasmus+ National Agencies.

References:

Author: Marie Lecerf, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu

As of 15/12/2024.