More Erasmus = More Europe
To reach all young people in Europe, we need five times the current Erasmus+ funding in the EU budget 2028-2034. We need to improve the programme to make it more accessible, efficient, and impactful in empowering young people and shaping a stronger future for our society.
Erasmus+ helps young people grow into active citizens by giving them space to learn, grow, and take action in their communities. However, many young Europeans do not benefit from it today. That’s not fair and not enough.
We need 5 times the funding to make Erasmus+ truly for everyone.
This year the EU is deciding on the size of Erasmus+ from 2028 to 2034. By making it more accessible to youth organisations, more inclusive for everyone, and increasing the funding, we can make sure all young people are empowered to learn by doing. Investing in Erasmus+ means investing in Europe’s future. Young people who engage in programmes like Erasmus+ are more likely to better understand their own value and gain power to act, and they are more likely to become lifelong contributors to society. This means that Erasmus+ contributes to the resilience of societies and health of democracies in Europe.
Erasmus+ builds better citizens
Erasmus+ gives young people and youth organisations the tools they need to develop projects and "learn by doing." This approach, known as Non-Formal Education (NFE), is the secret ingredient to creating active, engaged citizens. By stepping outside the traditional learning through volunteering, group projects, and hands-on problem-solving, young people build the empathy, leadership, and civic responsibility our society needs.
What do we need for a stronger Erasmus+?
1. More budget to reach more young people
We need to invest 5 times more in Erasmus+ to move beyond the current 15% of young people reached and finally make it accessible to all young people in Europe, as also highlighted in the Draghi Report.
2. Erasmus+ inclusive to every young person
All young people should be able to access its opportunities, no matter their backgrounds or the systemic barriers they face. Only an inclusive Erasmus+ can truly reach every young person in Europe.
3. Reduce paperwork to increase accessibility
Erasmus+ and in general other EU Youth Programmes should be accessible to young people. Right now, there is too much paperwork. Erasmus+ must reduce its bureaucracy and accessibility for the youth sector should be a priority.
4. Erasmus+ that supports youth organisations
Youth organisations amplify the impact of Erasmus+. That’s why youth organisations should be clearly named in the next regulation of the programme, and they should receive more support.
5. Erasmus+ shaped with youth organisations
The programme must listen to those it intends to reach. By including youth voices in its decisions at every level, Erasmus+ can truly reflect what young people need and make a bigger impact.
6. An Erasmus+ programme beyond the EU
Erasmus+ should be open to all young people in Europe, not just in the EU. It should include European countries that respect democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Want to know what young people really need from Erasmus+?
📄 Download our Principles for a Better Erasmus+ a clear, youth-driven vision to make the programme more inclusive, accessible, and impactful for every young person in Europe.
Want to know more on our work on Erasmus+? 👀
Young people take a blow in the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 Erasmus budget
Today, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the EU’s long term budget 2028-2034 (the new “Multiannual Financial Framework”, or “MFF”) , including the new Erasmus+ programme
EU Youth Programmes Unpacked: How Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Enable Youth Civic Space
This report maps the ways in which youth organisations and youth civil society organisations experience the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes. Read the report to find out more.
Key Documents and Resources
Open Policy Documents
Open Research studies and publications
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More ambition for Europe’s future, but not as much for Erasmus+
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted a Resolution laying down its negotiating position on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028 to 2034, following the proposals by the European Commission from last year. Read our statement to find out why the Resolution offers more ambition for Europe’s future, but not as much for Erasmus+.
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Young people take a blow in the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 Erasmus budget
Today, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the EU’s long term budget 2028-2034 (the new “Multiannual Financial Framework”, or “MFF”) , including the new Erasmus+ programme