The Week ahead

A stronger, better-funded, and more accessible Erasmus+ programme for 2028-2034 is a priority for the EPP Group. Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee will vote on the new programme on Tuesday. “Europe faces security challenges on many fronts, but we must not lose sight of the education and well-being of our youngest generation. The broad political consensus behind Erasmus+ reflects our commitment to their future. For 2028–34, we are strengthening the programme while making it simpler, faster and more accessible,” says Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski MEP, Parliament’s negotiator on the programme. “For many young people, Erasmus+ is the first time they truly experience Europe, building friendships across borders, discovering new possibilities and giving personal meaning to being European. Tuesday’s vote is an important step towards a stronger Erasmus+ and an investment in the generation that will shape Europe’s future,” adds Hélder Sousa Silva MEP, EPP Group spokesperson in the committee.

The EPP Group wants the European Parliament to honour Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu with the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Lissu has stood up for democracy, political pluralism, fair and free elections, and the rule of law in Tanzania despite serious personal risks and detention. On 1 October, a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Development Committee and the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hear the presentation of this year’s nominees in the European Parliament. Reinhold Lopatka MEP, Head of the Austrian EPP Delegation and member of the aforementioned committees, strongly supports the nomination: “The struggle of Tundu Lissu highlights the critical erosion of democratic pluralism and constitutional rights in Tanzania. The Sakharov Prize is the EU’s highest tribute to human rights work, and nominating Mr Lissu reinforces our solidarity with democratic defenders worldwide. We must ensure that the rule of law is used to protect political freedom, in Tanzania and throughout the world.”

On 2 October, EPP Group members will meet in Bucharest for a high-level discussion on the future of EU funding, ensuring that European funds deliver better results for citizens. “Our aim is to bring the future of our regions to the heart of the European debate,” says Daniel Buda MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and member of the Committee on Regional Development. “The choices we make now will shape the development of our communities and the lives of European citizens for years to come. We need a strong cohesion policy and a Common Agricultural Policy with adequate funding. The EU must narrow the gaps between regions, support investment and provide farmers with the conditions to remain competitive. Mayors and regional leaders must be partners in these decisions because they know the needs of their communities best. The EPP Group will send a clear message from Bucharest: we stand with the countries and regions on the EU’s eastern border. A strong and safe Eastern Europe means a more secure and prosperous EU,” Buda added.