The Erasmus+ program is poised for a major transformation, focusing on inclusion, volunteerism, and democratic participation<\/p>\n
This article was produced in collaboration with Europiamo<\/a>, an organization<\/a> founded and run by young people to promote the opportunities Europe offers to young people. Article by Elena Spampinato. <\/p>\n The year 2028 will mark a new beginning for European programs. Starting January 1, 2028, Erasmus+, Europe\u2019s best-known program, will also adopt<\/a> new regulations. Negotiations are underway to define its content, and the new Erasmus+ program is expected to be adopted by 2027. <\/p>\n The debate on Erasmus+ is of particular importance to our country. Italy is the second most popular destination in Europe, after Spain, and one of the leading countries in terms of the number of outgoing participants: in 2024 alone, Erasmus+ mobility activities involving Italy as the country of origin or destination included more than 280,000 participants<\/a>. <\/p>\n Any change<\/strong> in the program\u2019s structure, funding, or governance will have an impact<\/strong> on the activities of a large number of young people, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n The European Commission\u2019s proposal, dated July 2025<\/a> and analyzed in one of our dedicated articles<\/a>, introduced significant changes to the structure and management of Erasmus+.<\/p>\n Since then, negotiations<\/strong> have begun within the European Parliament, consultations<\/strong> have been held with civil society organizations, the Parliament\u2019s internal committees have issued their opinions on the new regulation, and an in-depth study has been conducted on the challenges and prospects of Erasmus+.<\/a> The culmination of this process was the vote on the report by the European Parliament\u2019s CULT Committee<\/a>, presented in draft form on June 3 by rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP) and approved on September 29<\/a>. The Council, on the other hand, issued its position<\/a> on the substance of the program (excluding financial aspects) in May, while the Irish Presidency of the Council presented a new \u201cnegobox\u201d<\/a>\u2014that is, a new proposal for negotiations on resources for the new programming cycle\u2014on October 10. Heads of state and government discussed this at the European Council meeting on October 15\u201316<\/a> without yet reaching an agreement: the stated goal remains to finalize the multiannual budget by the end of 2026, but divisions among member states remain significant. <\/p>\n As we reach a turning point in the development of the Erasmus+ 2028\u20132034 program<\/a>, we offer today an analysis of the content of the CULT Committee\u2019s report on Erasmus+, along with some reflections on how to prepare for the future of the program and the future of European programming.<\/p>\n The compromise amendments approved in the CULT Committee\u2019s report<\/a> convey a fundamental message: the Erasmus+ program cannot be reduced solely to the goal of strengthening the EU\u2019s competitiveness and addressing labor market gaps\u2014a central aspect of the Commission\u2019s original proposal<\/a>.<\/p>\n The CULT Committee emphasizes that Erasmus+ must retain a dual nature<\/strong>: on the one hand, a structural tool<\/strong> for strengthening democracy and youth participation, reinforcing the sense of European identity and the EU\u2019s shared values; on the other hand, a functional tool<\/strong> for fostering strategies for innovation, the Union of Skills<\/a><\/em> and the labor market, particularly in its strategic sectors.<\/p>\n This same message has been taken up by various sectors of civil society and is also relevant in other areas. In a new European policy framework focused on competitiveness, the ability to maintain this dual focus\u2014linked to social and environmental issues and the EU\u2019s founding values, but also to competitiveness\u2014will be a cornerstone<\/a><\/strong> in working on European projects. <\/p>\n One of the main changes<\/a> in the new Erasmus+ program is the integration of the European Solidarity Corps<\/strong> (ESC) volunteering activities into the program. This aspect is confirmed and reinforced in the Parliament\u2019s proposal, as it could create a single point of access and simplify the program\u2019s management. To avoid the risk that volunteering might be subsumed under learning mobility and lose its distinct character, it is proposed to explicitly include the term \u201cvolunteering\u201d in the definition of Erasmus+, thereby ensuring greater visibility and protection for it. It also paves the way for potential synergies with national initiatives, such as the Universal Civil Service<\/strong> in Italy. The approved text also provides for separate monitoring and reporting for solidarity activities and sets the age limits at 18\u201330 years for volunteering and 18\u201335 years for humanitarian volunteering. <\/p>\n Finally, Parliament proposes taking another step forward in inclusion policies<\/strong>\u2014an area that Erasmus+ has progressively strengthened by involving (especially in Italy) a growing number of people with fewer opportunities. The approved text specifically calls for at least 20% of mobility participants<\/strong> to be people with fewer opportunities and for grant amounts to take into account differences in the cost of living, housing, and inflation. It also provides for the introduction of the concept of \u201cstructural and territorial disadvantage,\u201d which broadens the definition of people with fewer opportunities beyond existing economic, social, and geographic barriers. <\/p>\n Another crucial point, supported by both the European Commission\u2019s proposal and that of the CULT Committee, is administrative simplification<\/strong>, aimed at ensuring that more structured organizations are not favored at the expense of smaller ones with fewer administrative and technical capabilities.<\/p>\n In this regard, both the focus on digitizing<\/strong> procedures and the<\/strong> extensive operational decentralization<\/strong> of Erasmus+\u2014along with the role of the National Agencies\u2014are reaffirmed; however, there is a recognized need to establish a system for monitoring<\/strong> and engaging stakeholders that ensures effective oversight of the program\u2019s overall performance. To this end, the CULT text introduces an annex of indicators<\/strong> on participation, inclusion, and simplification; limits the use of delegated acts; and strengthens Parliament\u2019s oversight over decisions that the Commission would have preferred to leave to its annual work programs. <\/p>\n The Parliament\u2019s report proposes strengthening cooperation with regional and local authorities<\/strong>, which are considered key actors in the implementation of inclusion policies. It also reaffirmsthe<\/strong> program\u2019sinternational scope<\/strong> through cooperation with third countries and the strengthening of ties with long-standing partners such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom<\/a>, which will rejoin Erasmus+ as early as 2027. <\/p>\n Erasmus+: A Budget Still Being Finalized<\/p>\n On the financial front, the debate is still ongoing. The European Parliament is requesting 47.4 billion euros<\/strong> for Erasmus+ at current prices, compared to the 40.8 billion<\/strong> proposed by the Commission. This is the figure that the plenary had already approved<\/a> on April 28, in the interim report on the multiannual budget, and which the CULT Committee confirmed on September 29, having reduced its initial request of approximately 58 billion. On the other hand, the latest negotiating proposal<\/a> from the Irish Council Presidency\u2014while containing no further cuts compared to the Cypriot proposal from June\u2014 stands<\/a> at 39.1 billion<\/strong>: 4.1% less than the Commission\u2019s proposal. <\/p>\n Expressed in 2025 prices\u2014that is, adjusted for a conventional annual inflation rate of 2%\u2014the figures are as follows:<\/p>\n\nErasmus+ 2028\u20132034: A New Regulation, an Important Step<\/h2>\n
Erasmus+: A Tool for the Job Market\u2014But Not Only That<\/h2>\n
Erasmus+: A Space for Volunteering and Inclusion<\/h2>\n
Erasmus+: Toward Simpler Management and More Effective Monitoring<\/h2>\n