Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020). The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It also supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda.
However, even though the programme is one of the most popular initiatives, there are things that you probably don’t know.
According to the European Commission, the Erasmus programme has been one of the most loved programmes in education and training since its establishment, which took place in 1987. The programme started with only 3,244 students, and then the number grew as time passed. Initially, the programme included only eleven countries – Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom – meaning that the participants could only visit one of these participating countries for study purposes.
The EU Commission explains that studies have shown that Erasmus+ improves quality of life as well as life prospects. Moreover, the programme has also proven to drive innovation and social inclusion in higher education, while helping the students to make career choices.
The data from the Commission shows that more than 80 per cent of Erasmus+ graduates are employed within three months of graduation.
What makes the Erasmus+ programme even more special is that it offers opportunities to everyone, regardless of their age. This means that not only young people but also their parents can benefit from the programme.
The data from the Commission shows that former Erasmus+ students are more likely to have a transnational relationship. Moreover, the same data revealed that around 33 per cent of former students have a partner of a different nationality, compared to 13 per cent of those who study in their home country. Taking these figures into account, the Commission estimated that approximately one billion babies are likely to have been born since 1987.
The current programme, which will last for seven years, (2021-2027), places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green, and digital transitions, and promoting the participation of young people in democratic life. Apart from offering grants, Erasmus+ also supports research, teaching, networking, and policy debate on EU topics. The following blogs might also be of your interest: