On Thursday 17 July, the European Commission published a progress report on its programme to support education, training, youth and sport: Erasmus+. The final evaluation of the 2014-2020 period and the interim evaluation of the 2021-2023 period reflect a series of positive impacts on individuals, organisations and European education systems.
Between 2014 and 2020, more than 6.2 million people benefited from mobility funded by Erasmus+, despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. An additional 1.6 million participants were recorded between 2021 and 2023.
The programme has contributed to the development of key skills. It is worth noting that 84% of education staff stated that they had improved skills needed for their jobs thanks to their mobility. Similarly, undergraduate students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects who participated in Erasmus+ had better graduation rates than their non-participating peers.
The evaluation also highlights, on the basis of national data, the contribution made by Erasmus+ to developing the resilience, critical thinking and learning capacity of people who have taken part in the programme.
In addition, inclusion has increased (see EUROPE 13686/20).
The success of Erasmus+ can also be measured by the extent to which it promotes European values and identity. But these successes are generating such demand that current resources are still unable to meet it: between 2021 and 2023, more than 29,400 projects were turned down because of a shortfall of €5 billion.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/hzy (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)