Erasmus for All: proposal for EU education programme as of 2014
23 Nov 2011
Up to 5 million people, almost twice as many as now, could get the chance to study or train abroad with a grant from Erasmus for All, the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport proposed by the European Commission today.
Among this group of 5 million would be nearly 3 million higher education and vocational students. Master's degree students would also benefit from a new loan guarantee scheme set up with the European Investment Bank Group. The seven-year Erasmus for All programme, which would have a total budget of € 19 billion, is due to start in 2014.
One programme
Erasmus for All would bring together all the current EU and international schemes for education, training, youth and sport, replacing seven existing programmes with one. This will increase efficiency, make it easier to apply for grants, as well as reducing duplication and fragmentation.
The Commission is proposing an increase of approximately 70% compared to the current seven-year budget, which would allocate € 19 billion to the new programme in 2014-2020.
The new programme will support three types of action: learning opportunities for individuals, both within the EU and beyond; institutional cooperation between educational institutions, youth organisations, businesses, local and regional authorities and NGOs; and support for reforms in Member States to modernise education and training systems and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.
Two-thirds of the funding would be spent on mobility grants to enhance knowledge and skills.
More opportunities
The streamlined structure of the new programme – together with its significantly increased investment – means the EU will be able to deliver many more opportunities for, for example, students, trainees and teachers to improve their skills, personal development and job prospects.
Since 2007, an average of 400.000 people per year have received EU grants for study, training and volunteering abroad. Under the Commission's proposal, this figure would nearly double to almost 800.000.
Next steps
This proposal is now under discussion by the European Council and the European Parliament who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.
Read more about Erasmus for All on http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all.