The European Commission is set to propose integrating the voluntary activities of the current ‘European Solidarity Corps’ into the future Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028–2034, according to a draft legislative text, a copy of which Agence Europe has obtained and which will be included in the first part of the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which the EU institution will unveil on Wednesday 16 July (see EUROPE 13677/1).
The Erasmus+ programme will become the “single-entry point to EU opportunities for young people across the EU”, reads a draft of the regulation establishing the future programme.
The European Commission justifies the inclusion of the ‘European Solidarity Corps’, including volunteering in support of humanitarian aid operations around the world, as a means of helping to raise awareness of the opportunities available to young people and youth organisations. In some cases, this approach will also make it possible to reduce “potential duplication”, for example between the youth participation activities of the current Erasmus+ programme and those of the European Solidarity Corps.
In addition to the ‘Erasmus Mundus’ strand and the ‘Jean Monnet actions’ in higher education, the future programme will include new actions strengthening partnerships between schools (EU school alliances) and study grants in areas of strategic importance to the EU’s competitiveness or autonomy. Support will also be given to institutions with a European dimension, such as the European Institute in Florence, the College of Europe, the European Institute of Public Administration and the Academy of European Law.
Furthermore, the European Commission intends to promote access to mobility opportunities for young people who are less likely to benefit from Erasmus+ support, either for reasons linked to their level of education, or their social background or disability. It notes that “barriers” remain despite an increase in the participation of the young people concerned, from 10% over the 2014-2020 period to 15% in 2023.
Finally, following on from the current regulatory simplification initiative, the management of the post-2027 Erasmus+ programme will be simplified. Reporting requirements will be reduced, the transfer of funds from one action to another will be simplified and the provision of alternative co-financing will be facilitated. The European Commission also wants to make it easier for less experienced youth organisations to take part in mobility programmes by reducing the bureaucratic burden and creating partnerships involving the award of small grants.
See the Erasmus+ programme project: https://aeur.eu/f/hte (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)