Erasmus+ Proposal Unveiled: More Skills, More Solidarity

The European Commission has adopted its proposal for the next Erasmus+ programme (2028–2034). With a budget of 40.8 billion, it builds on past successes while introducing some novelties to better equip people for life and work in a changing world.

The future programme will foster skills and a strong European identity—placing individuals of all ages and backgrounds at its core. It will empower learners, support education and training, youth and sport organisations and institutions, and help build a more competitive, cohesive, and resilient Europe.

A major change is the integration of the European Solidarity Corps opportunities into Erasmus+. By offering volunteering opportunities, including in humanitarian aid, and activities to engage and express solidarity, which are currently supported through a separate European Solidarity Corps programme, the future Erasmus+ will further promote the development of a culture of solidarity, care and understanding among citizens, especially the youngest generations. This will also create a single-entry point for young people across the EU and beyond. (Recommendation 3: Expansion of existing learning mobility programmes for people of all ages and socio-economic layers.

A new feature will allow students to apply for Erasmus+ scholarships in strategic study fields, helping Europe nurture and retain talent in key areas for its future.

Erasmus+ will place a stronger emphasis on democratic participation, citizenship education, and EU awareness, across all programme fields. It will also expand mobility in the sport sector, now including athletes and people in grassroots sport, alongside coaches, unlocking the full potential of sport to support the acquisition of skills and contribute to social inclusion and cohesion.

Beyond mobility, the programme will invest in capacity building for institutions and organisations, from grassroots cooperation to flagship initiatives like the European Universities Alliances, the Centres of Vocational Excellence (Recommendation 4: Promoting deeper integration of the vocational training sector across the EU), European Teachers Academies, and the new European School Alliances. It will also support policy development and cooperation among Member States.

The programme will be an essential instrument for building the Union of Skills, further developing the European Education Area and European strategic cooperation in the fields of education and training, including its underlying sectoral agendas, advancing youth policy cooperation and developing the European dimension in sport.

Erasmus+ remains of course committed to inclusion, with enhanced support mechanisms for people with fewer opportunities—whether due to socio-economic background, disability, or geographical isolation (Recommendation 18: Measures and activities to promote non-discrimination in learning mobility).

International cooperation will be strong, especially with candidate countries. Erasmus+ will help prepare them for EU accession through tailored support, including new options for partial association.

Building upon the simplification measures introduced in the current programming period and on a new more linear architecture, the future programme will go one step further, streamlining programme rules and further reducing the administrative burden.