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REPORT (2023/2002(INI))

On the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027

A-9-2023-0413

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Milan Zver

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Parliament's resolution assesses how the Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 has been implemented over its first two and a half years and sets out recommendations for the rest of the period and the next generation. It finds the programme popular and effective but hampered by insufficient grants, heavy administration, slow IT tools, weak credit recognition and uneven inclusion. It asks the Commission, member states and National Agencies to simplify procedures, fix and stabilise IT tools, raise and index grants, and improve inclusion, digitalisation and green travel. It calls for more funding for adult learning, sport, vocational education and schools, and for a substantial budget increase in the 2028-2034 period.

Committee position. The Committee on Culture and Education proposes that Parliament adopt the resolution, finding the programme successful but hampered by insufficient grants, administrative burden and IT problems, and calling for simplification, better inclusion and a larger future budget.

Key points

  1. Parliament highlights that the programme covers lifelong learning, inclusion of people with fewer opportunities and removal of barriers such as lack of automatic recognition of qualifications and financial obstacles.
  2. It acknowledges that the existing structure works well and values the 'learning community' of participants, beneficiaries, stakeholders, National Agencies and EU institutions.
  3. It welcomes the memorandum of understanding between the European Education and Culture Executive Agency and National Agencies and expects it to produce tangible improvements and clarify roles.
  4. It recognises learning mobility and small-scale partnerships as highly effective and good value for money, and welcomes new flagship actions, Teacher Academies, Centres of Vocational Excellence and DiscoverEU.
  5. It notes that 2021-2022 budget absorption was almost 100 %, that the programme reacted swiftly to support Ukrainian students and institutions, and that error rates are very low.
  6. It regrets that insufficient grants, payment delays, complicated administrative processes and the burden of 'continuous reporting' deter participants, newcomers and small organisations.
  7. It is concerned that almost a third of higher education mobility students reported not receiving full credit recognition, and calls for action aligned with the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
  8. It regrets the drastic reduction in centralised youth operating grants in 2022 and fewer successful applications from youth and volunteer-led organisations.
  9. It deeply regrets the slow and incomplete development of IT infrastructure and tools such as the Beneficiary and Project Management modules and Online Language Support.
  10. It calls on the Commission to simplify the programme at all levels, remove financial, linguistic and administrative barriers, and optimise digital tools by 2025 at the latest.
  11. It asks for proportionate registration, application and reporting processes, clearer guidance, continuous training for agency staff, and timely communication of deadlines.
  12. It calls for increased upfront payments, regular adjustment of grants and unit costs to inflation, action on student accommodation, and greater synergies with other EU programmes.

Who is affected

  • Students, pupils, apprentices, adult learners and teaching staff, who face barriers to mobility and credit recognition.
  • Small organisations, newcomers and youth groups, who struggle with administrative requirements and application processes.
  • National Agencies and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, asked to improve coordination, training and feedback.
  • The Commission, asked to simplify rules, fix IT tools, raise grants and design the next programme.
  • Higher education institutions and European Universities Alliances, affected by credit recognition and future funding decisions.

Figures and deadlines

  • Up to 12 million participants targeted by the 2021-2027 programme.
  • Estimated overall budget of EUR 26.51 billion for 2021-2027, made up of EUR 24.57 billion and a top-up of EUR 1.938 billion.
  • Up to 83 % of the budget earmarked for education and training.
  • Adult learning and education represents 5.8 % of the total budget for education and training.
  • Target of 60 % of adults participating in adult learning and education by 2030.
  • Ambition of 60 European Universities Alliances involving more than 500 higher education institutions by mid-2024.
  • Digital tools to be optimised by 2025 at the latest.
  • Funding in 2028 must not be less than the level of the last year of the current programme (2027).

Legal basis: Articles 165 and 166 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.