MEPs at the Culture and Education Committee made an appeal in a report adopted on Monday 5 December by a large majority (21 votes in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions) for the introduction of a larger, more flexible Erasmus+ programme that is more accessible to individuals and small organisations.
MEPs suggested that the European Commission improve the information technology tool used for online candidacies by making it more user friendly. They also want the candidacy form to be translated into all the Union’s official languages and for the financial section in the online formula to be simplified and clarified by the Commission.
The European Parliament also highlighted the need to remove the last remaining financial barriers, particularly for low-income students and requested an increase in the budget for the forthcoming period.
The Erasmus+ programme was launched in January 2014 and has a budget of €14.7 billion. It will be up and running until 2020 and will seek to provide opportunities for studying, training, obtaining experience or voluntary activities abroad to more than 4 million Europeans. The European Commission will present its midterm review at the end of 2017. (Original version in French by Thomas Régnier)