On Thursday 25 March, the Commission announced the launch of the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2021-2027. Today, the Commission adopted the first annual work programme of this emblematic pillar of education, training, youth and sport. It also launched the first calls for funding (EAC/A01/2021).
Aware of the popularity of the structure created in 1987, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel insisted that Erasmus+ is one of the first programmes the Commission is launching under the EU’s new seven-year budget, following the political agreement in December (see EUROPE 12622/27).
“Erasmus+ remains a unique programme in terms of its size, scope and global recognition, covering 33 countries, the EU Member States plus six associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey, Editor’s note), and accessible to the rest of the world through its international activities”, she said, insisting that Europeans see it as one of the EU’s most positive achievements.
The programme has been allocated 26.2 billion euros (compared to 14.7 billion euros for the 2014-2020 period), plus some 2.2 billion euros from EU external instruments. It will fund mobility projects for learning and cross-border cooperation for 10 million Europeans of all ages.
Asked at a press conference about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on cross-border exchanges, Mariya Gabriel recalled that the Commission had introduced “a maximum flexibility with the force majeure clause” which allowed departures to be delayed. “Physical mobility cannot be replaced by new technologies. Nevertheless, the intensive hybrid programmes allow for virtual mobility as a first step, until the situation allows for more”, she explained.
As for a potential subordination of these exchanges to the future EU digital green certificate, Mrs Gabriel did not mention it. She emphasised that academic freedom is a fundamental value of the EU. “The process is ongoing: the proposal is on the table and the aim is to make this document travel-friendly”, adding that young people should not be excluded. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)