The Erasmus+ programme has many objectives but the most important is to support the educational, professional and personal development of people in various learning-type settings. For example, education, training, youth and sport. The programme facilitates lifelong learning and operates in Europe (and beyond), contributing to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion.
This year, the European Commission has launched a new Erasmus+ call for proposals. This is to test a joint European degree label as well as encourage the cooperation between institutions in the EU, such as the possible European legal status for alliances (as mentioned in the European Strategy for Universities).
The European Commission has created the European Care Strategy to ensure quality, affordable and accessible care services across the European Union and improve situations for both care receivers and the people caring for them, professionally or non-professional capacity.
Affordable and accessible care services of high quality offer clear benefits for all ages. Participation in early childhood education has a positive impact on a child's development and helps reduce the risk of social exclusion and poverty later in life. Long-term care empowers people, who as a result of old age, illness and/or disability, depend on help for daily activities, to maintain their independence and live with dignity. However, for many people these services are still not affordable, available or accessible.
Investing in care is important to attract and retain talent in the care sector, which is often characterised by difficult working conditions and low wages. Furthermore, investment addresses labour shortages and fulfils the sector's economic and job creation potential.
Investing in high-quality care also means improving women's participation in the labour market and gender equality, in particular gender pay and pension gaps. Women still bear the main brunt of care responsibilities, with 90% of the formal care workforce made up of women, and 7.7 million women out of employment because of taking on care responsibilities.
For its part, the Commission will promote the opportunities available for early childhood education and care staff under the Erasmus+ programme. The programme provides opportunities for developing training for the early childhood education and care sectors.
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