EU plans to double Erasmus student funding

The European Commission has proposed more than doubling funding to the Erasmus student exchange programme. The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) plan for 2021-2027 would allocate €30 billion to the programme, which provides opportunities for European students to study or gain work experience in a different European country while completing their degree. The proposal appears aimed to combat rising nationalism that led to Brexit and political turmoil in Italy.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said still more could be done to invest in Europe’s youth and a cohesive EU. “Erasmus funds must be tripled to ensure the largest possible number of young people benefit from this extraordinary opportunity,” he remarked.

 

The proposal, which requires the approval of member states, would triple the number of participants to 12 million in the next seven-year period and would expand it to youth workers, school pupils, trainees and sports coaches.

“I am very proud that this Commission has proposed to double the budget for Erasmus – this is by far the biggest increase for any programme in the EU budget we have tabled,” said Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

“And we need to be bold: this programme will support the big ambitions we have for empowering young people, building a European Education Area and strengthening European identity. I call on Member States and the European Parliament to support us and make sure we invest in our most precious resource: people.”

Read more from Erasmus+ on the next steps for the programme.