Sittings · Document

OPINION (2025/0210(BUD)) 2025-09-24

On the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 – all sections

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

The Committee on Culture and Education opposes Council cuts to Erasmus+ and Creative Europe in the 2026 draft budget and proposes increases to several programmes.

Committee position. The committee proposes amendments to the 2026 budget, opposing Council cuts and recommending increases for Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and the European Solidarity Corps.

Key points

  1. Strongly opposes Council cuts of EUR 257.73 million to Erasmus+ and EUR 26.4 million to Creative Europe, calling them short-sighted.
  2. Notes that Erasmus+ will receive EUR 255 million in recoveries in 2026, but Council cuts of EUR 257 million reduce the overall envelope for 2021–2027.
  3. Urges stability for European Universities alliances, Erasmus+ Teacher Academies, European Schools Alliances, and the European Education Area.
  4. Proposes increasing Erasmus+ appropriations by EUR 42 million for learning mobility and EUR 15 million for youth and sports strands.
  5. Stresses that a EUR 3 million cut in the sports sector would have significant impact given its limited funding.
  6. Calls for reinforcing the European Solidarity Corps with a moderate increase of EUR 3 million, a 4.17% increase compared to 2025.
  7. Proposes an increase of EUR 20 million above the draft budget for Creative Europe, citing its strong results and oversubscription.
  8. Stresses that the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme protects Union values and raises awareness of European history.
  9. Supports all pilot projects and preparatory actions within the committee's remit that received grades A and B in pre-assessment.

Who is affected

  • Learners, young people, and citizens benefiting from Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.
  • European Universities alliances, Erasmus+ Teacher Academies, European Schools Alliances.
  • Sports sector and youth organisations involved in Erasmus+.
  • Young people volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps.
  • Cultural, creative, audiovisual sectors and news media supported by Creative Europe.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 257.73 million cut to Erasmus+ and EUR 26.4 million to Creative Europe.
  • EUR 255 million in recoveries for Erasmus+ in 2026.
  • EUR 42 million increase for learning mobility and EUR 15 million for youth and sports.
  • EUR 3 million cut in sports sector.
  • EUR 3 million increase for European Solidarity Corps, a 4.17% increase compared to 2025.
  • EUR 20 million increase above draft budget for Creative Europe.

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