European Commission - Press release
Erasmus for All: 5 million in line for EU funding
Brussels, 23 November 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 them 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. "Investing in education and training is the best investment we can make for Europe's future. Studying abroad boosts people's skills, personal development and adaptability, and makes them more employable. We want to ensure that many more people benefit from EU support for these opportunities. We also need to invest more to improve the quality of education and training at all levels so we are a match for the best in the world and so that we can deliver more jobs and higher growth," said Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
The Commission's Erasmus for All proposal would allow:
Background
Erasmus for All would bring together all the current EU and international schemes for education, training, youth and sport, replacing seven existing programmes 1 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 figure takes account of future estimates for inflation and includes expenditure foreseen for international cooperation.
The new programme will focus on EU added value and systemic impact, with support for 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.
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 students, trainees, young people, teachers, youth workers and others to improve their skills, personal development and job prospects. Erasmus for All will also promote research and teaching on European integration, and support grassroots sport.
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. (In 2010, 560 000 received grants in the 27 Member States, see Annex 1).
Next steps
This proposal is now under discussion by the Council (27 Member States) and the European Parliament who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.
For more information:
See also MEMO/11/818
http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all
Commissioner Vassiliou's website
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/vassiliou
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1398&forma...