Brussels, 01/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Students' Union (ESU) argues that the concerns of students have not been taken on board in the agreement obtained on Erasmus +, on 26 June of this year. The ESU states that the €14.5 billion agreed upon to fund the new programme for the period 2014-2020 is not enough, with the European Parliament and member states still to make a formal decision on the budget this autumn. However, it welcomes the fact that concerns related to budget issues the 2013 have been resolved and the necessary funds allocated. The students also reiterate their opposition to the loan guarantee system, a proposal which is “unreasonable in these times of economic uncertainty”, and which will add to students' indebtedness. This mechanism will also escape monitoring by the European institutions given the intervention of financial intermediaries, ESU president Karina Ufert laments. As regards the agreement at the European Council on the “youth guarantee” on 28 June, the ESU welcomes the effort agreed upon for better access to structural funds and various initiatives designed to fight youth unemployment. It is, however, of the opinion that the mechanism alone is not enough, and should be supported by major structural reforms.
On 26 June, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers reached a trialogue agreement on the new programme for education, youth and sport, Erasmus + (see EUROPE 10875). Of the total envelope, 77.5% will be allocated to the education and training sector and 3.5% to the loan guarantee mechanism. The youth sector will receive 10% and sport 1.8%. The three institutions have agreed on a substantial increase in the programme's budget, but the final figures will not be set in stone until negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework conclude. The committee on culture of the EP will take position on this agreement and the final text will then be put to the vote at a plenary session, most likely in October. (IL/transl.fl)