What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020).
The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also
- supports the European Pillar of Social Rights
- implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027
- develops the European dimension in sport
How to take part
- if you are applying by yourself or on behalf of an organisation
- in which country you or your organisation is based
How Erasmus+ is managed
The Erasmus+ programme is managed by the European Commission (the EU’s executive body), the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), a series of National Agencies in Programme countries, and a series of National Offices in some Partner countries.
The European Commission handles the overall management of the programme, including
- managing the budget
- setting the priorities
- identifying the programme’s targets and criteria
- monitoring and guiding the implementation
- follow-up and evaluation of the programme
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission is in charge of managing the “centralised” elements of the programme, including
- promoting the programme and opportunities
- launching calls for proposals
- reviewing grant requests
- contracting and monitoring projects
- communicating on results
The EACEA and Commission also carry out studies and research, as well as managing and financing the other bodies and networks supported by Erasmus+. Detailed information on the management of Erasmus+ is available in the Annual Work Programmes published by the European Commission.
In the EU countries, the Commission entrusts much of the management of Erasmus+ to National Agencies. Outside the EU, and specifically in the field of higher education, this role is filled by the National Erasmus+ Offices.
The Commission provides funding to the National Agencies, who use these funds to manage the programme’s “decentralised” activities. This allows the Agencies to adapt the programme to suit their national education, training, and youth systems.
The National Agencies are responsible for
- providing information on the programme
- reviewing applications submitted in their country
- monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the programme in their country
- supporting people and organisations taking part in Erasmus+
- promoting the programme and its activities at a local and national level
These Agencies also support beneficiaries of the programme from the application stage to the end of a project. They also work with beneficiaries and other organisations to support EU policy in areas supported by the programme.
Erasmus or Erasmus+?
2022 marks the 35th year of existence of Erasmus+, the EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport.