More Erasmus+ for more Europeans

The EPP Group wants to nearly double the current Erasmus+ budget, increasing it to €47.4 billion in the EU's next long-term budget, and involve more teachers, school pupils, apprentices, young researchers and amateur athletes. We also want to expand the DiscoverEU programme to give more young Europeans the chance to explore the EU. 

"Europe cannot promise young people more opportunities and then cut the funding needed to deliver them. We want to protect the €47.4 billion and make sure Erasmus+ reaches far beyond university students," says Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski MEP, Parliament's negotiator on the programme.

Making Erasmus+ more accessible remains a priority. Financial support should better reflect actual travel and living costs, while simpler procedures should help people with fewer opportunities and smaller organisations to participate. 

The EPP Group also welcomes Hungary's return to Erasmus+, allowing more young Europeans to benefit from cross-border exchanges.

"Erasmus+ is about much more than studying abroad. It brings Europeans together, builds lifelong friendships and makes being European something personal. We want more people to experience that, regardless of their background or where they live," Zdrojewski concludes.

Following Parliament's vote, negotiations with EU Member States will determine the final programme and its funding.