The first annual work programme of Erasmus+ 2021-2027 has been adopted by the European Commission. With a budget of 26.2 billion EUR, it provides nearly the double of funding compared to the predecessor programme 2014-2020 (14.7 billion EUR). Furthermore, it is complemented with about 2.2 billion EUR from EU‘s external instruments. The programme has been modernised and will support learning mobility and cross cooperation projects.

The new Erasmus+ programme provides opportunities not only for study periods abroad, but also for traineeships, apprenticeships, and staff exchanges in all fields of education, training, youth, and sport. 70% of the budget will support mobility and 30% will be invested in cross‑border cooperation projects, e.g., between higher education institutions, and policy development activities.

Erasmus+ aims to be more inclusive and to support the green and digital transitions:

• It should provide enhanced opportunities to people with fewer opportunities, including people with diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, and people living in rural and remote areas. The programme will also be more international, to cooperate with third countries, building on the successes of the previous programme with exchanges and cooperation projects around the world.
• It will support the development of digital skills and introduce new formats in order to accelerate the digital transition of education and training.
• Financial incentives will be given to participants using sustainable modes of transport and to projects promoting awareness of environmental issues.

For more information on Erasmus+, follow this link.

Germany, Cologne, 29 March 2021