European Parliament’s position on Erasmus+: higher education sector welcomes positive steps, calls for adequate budget for education and training

The European University Association and partners from across the European higher education sector have jointly reacted to a draft European Parliament report on the next Erasmus+ programme.

Continuing their joint advocacy on the future of this impactful, flagship EU programme, organisations representing Europe's universities and higher education institutions, student organisations and other key stakeholders welcome MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski’s draft report for the Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). Yet, reflecting on their suggested set amendments to the Commission proposal, their joint statement also urges the European Parliament to readjust the budget share that the document puts forward for education and training measures.

The draft report’s call for €47.39 billion for Erasmus+ under the EU’s next long-term budget (multiannual financial framework) is a welcome increase on the Commission’s proposal of €40.8 billion. Nonetheless, it still does not reach the 60 billion requested by the higher education sector itself and the at least €60 billion requested by the higher education sector. An investment is needed to expand the scope and actions of Erasmus+ in in line with the ambitions policy makers have outlined for the programme to contribute to building the Union of Skills and continue supporting the European Education Area. MEP Zdrojewski's report also proposes substantial synergies with other EU funding programmes, e.g. co-funding of the new scholarships in strategic educational fields by the European Competitiveness Fund, as well as for the European Universities alliances. This aligns with the calls of the higher education sector.

However, the signatories of the joint statement are particularly concerned that the draft report proposes a budget percentage for education and training that is more than 6% lower than under the current Erasmus+ programme. The actions funded under this budget line are fundamental to the success of the entire programme and should at least be readjusted to their current level.

That said, it is highly welcome that the report introduces minimum budget allocations for the different sectors and actions of the programme. This will help to ensure transparency and planning security for the higher education sector to sustain quality and access throughout the programming period. Concrete proposals for such allocations had previously been missing, and the draft report’s input provides much needed clarity for beneficiaries and stakeholders on the contours of the future programme, what it can and should do, and how much this costs.

Download the joint statement

Alongside the European University Association, the statement is signed by CESAER, the Coimbra Group, the Erasmus Student Network, the European Students’ Union, the European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education (EURASHE), the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, the Academic Cooperation Association, AURORA, the European Association for International Education, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities, the European University Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the League of European Research Universities, the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA), the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) and the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN).