Joint statement | A stronger Europe needs a properly funded Erasmus+

07 January 2026

Together with sixteen other European higher education organisations, we have issued a joint statement where we call on EU policymakers to ensure that at least €60 billion are allocated to Erasmus+ in the ongoing negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034.

As highlighted in the Draghi Report, over the coming decade Europe needs significantly more talent –
that can work together across borders, particularly in strategic sectors and at high skill levels. In this context, investing in people – through higher education exchange and collaboration – is central to Europe’s future prosperity, competitiveness and resilience, as reflected in the European Education Area, the Union of Skills and the Competitiveness Compass.

The proposed Erasmus+ budget put forward on 16 July 2025 by the European Commission would barely maintain the level of activities in 2027, once inflation and rising costs, the integration of the European Solidarity Corps and additional responsibilities are taken into account. In practice, this would leave very limited scope to expand access, improve quality and deliver on newly agreed priorities.

Europe can only achieve its ambitions in education, skills and talent if Erasmus+ is ambitiously resourced.

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