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

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva

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

The Committee on Culture and Education's draft opinion on the 2026 EU budget opposes Council cuts to Erasmus+ and Creative Europe, proposes increases for several programmes, and supports selected pilot projects.¶¶¶

Committee position. The Committee on Culture and Education proposes amendments to the 2026 budget, opposing Council cuts and increasing funding for Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and the European Solidarity Corps.¶¶¶

Key points

Strongly opposes Council cuts of EUR 257.73 million to Erasmus+ and EUR 26.4 million to Creative Europe in the 2026 draft budget.¶
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.¶
Proposes increasing Erasmus+ learning mobility appropriations by EUR 42 million and youth and sports strands by EUR 15 million to avoid a decrease from 2025.¶
Warns that a EUR 3 million cut in the sports sector would harm its limited funding and its role in promoting physical activity, health, and local engagement.¶
Calls for reinforcing the European Solidarity Corps with a moderate increase of EUR 3 million (4.17% above 2025) to support volunteering and crisis response.¶
Proposes a moderate increase of EUR 20 million above the draft budget for Creative Europe, citing its strong results and oversubscription.¶
Supports all pilot projects and preparatory actions within the committee's remit that received grades A and B in the pre-assessment.¶

Who is affected

Learners, young people, and participants in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.¶¶
Cultural and creative sectors benefiting from Creative Europe funding.¶
Sports organisations and initiatives supported through Erasmus+ sports strand.¶

Figures and deadlines

EUR 257.73 million cut to Erasmus+ and EUR 26.4 million to Creative Europe proposed by the Council.¶
EUR 255 million in recoveries for Erasmus+ in 2026.¶
EUR 42 million increase proposed for Erasmus+ learning mobility strand.¶
EUR 15 million increase proposed for youth and sports strands.¶
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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