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OPINION (2024/2019(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section III – Commission, executive agencies and the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds

CULT-AD-766601

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Nela Riehl

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The Committee on Culture and Education gives its opinion on the 2023 budget discharge for the Commission, executive agencies and the European Development Funds, covering education, youth, sport and culture programmes. It welcomes actions taken but calls for improvements in access, simplification, oversight and funding for Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and Creative Europe.

Committee position. The Committee on Culture and Education calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution on discharge for 2023.

Key points

  1. Notes the midterm reviews for the European Education Area, Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and Creative Europe, stressing the need to address administrative burdens and digitalization issues.
  2. Notes that the EACEA managed 1 897 closed legacy projects and 67 calls with EUR 1.6 billion in operational appropriations, monitoring around 8 000 projects.
  3. Notes that the overall error rate remained below the 2% materiality threshold in 2023 and welcomes the reduction of carry-overs from 12% in 2021 to 8% in 2023.
  4. Welcomes the frontloading of EUR 100 million from 2027 to 2023 for Erasmus+ to support Ukrainian refugees and the extra EUR 20 million, stressing that frontloading must remain an exception.
  5. Welcomes the 12.27% increase in individual support grants for Erasmus+ and similar adjustments for the European Solidarity Corps, calling for further increases indexed to inflation.
  6. Regrets low uptake of adult learning activities and the insufficient budget for European Youth Together grants, and welcomes the Erasmus+ Sport Staff Mobility programme.
  7. Calls for strengthening the international dimension of Erasmus+ and for strict oversight to prevent misuse, including terminating cooperation and recovering funds from violators.
  8. Welcomes the Seal of Excellence pilot and notes growing interest in the European Solidarity Corps but with many applicants excluded due to small budget.
  9. Notes the return of Creative Europe's budget to regular growth after COVID-19 frontloading, welcomes the EUR 7.5 million reinforcement, and encourages further presence at video games events.
  10. Urges simplification of application processes, welcomes the lump sum approach, and calls for sufficient funds for small-scale and voluntary organisations.
  11. Encourages completion of the Anti-Fraud Action Strategy and notes the first Intra-Africa Academic Mobility V call with 127 applications.
  12. Notes with concern that only 46% of payments from the Intra-ACP Budget were paid on time, persisting e-Grant tool challenges, and encourages EACEA's sustainability efforts.

Who is affected

  • Beneficiaries of Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps and Creative Europe, especially small-scale organisations and people with fewer opportunities.
  • The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and the Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.
  • Applicants to European Youth Together grants and the European Solidarity Corps, who face reduced access due to budget constraints.
  • African academic community participating in the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility V call.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 897 projects closed during the reporting period.
  • EUR 1.6 billion in operational appropriations.
  • 67 calls and around 8 000 running projects.
  • 2% materiality threshold.
  • 12% in 2021 to 8% in 2023 carry-over rate.
  • EUR 100 million frontloaded from 2027 to 2023 for Erasmus+.
  • EUR 20 million extra for Erasmus+ in 2023.
  • 12.27% increase in individual support grants.