On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/817 and (EU) 2021/888
EMPL-AD-784382
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: Nela Riehl
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs gives its opinion on the proposed Erasmus+ regulation for 2028-2034, which would repeal Regulations (EU) 2021/817 and (EU) 2021/888.¶¶ It proposes amendments to add a social and labour dimension: a binding minimum earmark of 20% of the total financial envelope for people with fewer opportunities, and a raised indicative envelope of EUR 47.39 billion.¶¶¶ It wants volunteering kept distinct from paid work, staff mobility recognised as working time, and three dedicated budget chapters for education and training, youth and sport.¶¶¶ It also amends definitions, objectives and inclusion rules, and requires respect for labour rights, decent work and collective agreements throughout the programme.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs proposes amendments to the Commission proposal to add a social and labour dimension, reinforcing inclusiveness, decent work and links to employment, without compromising the programme's holistic educational character.¶¶
Key points
- The opinion frames Erasmus+ employability around holistic personal development, soft skills and adaptability rather than narrow skills delivery, and strengthens the education objective accordingly.¶¶¶
- It introduces a binding minimum earmark of 20% of the total financial envelope for people with fewer opportunities, with targeted financial support, housing assistance, pre-financing and full coverage of actual mobility costs.¶¶
- Inclusion costs must never penalise an application in the evaluation process, and inclusion must be embedded by design in all programme activities.¶
- Volunteering must never substitute for paid employment: it requires a written agreement, a strong learning component, and an explicit ban on replacing jobs or traineeships.¶¶
- Staff mobility must be recognised as working time and continuing professional development, with replacement, language and accessibility support, stronger Erasmus+ Teacher Academies, and involvement of teachers' organisations and trade unions.¶¶¶
- Youth-led organisations and civil society are recognised as essential partners in designing, implementing and evaluating Erasmus+, with structured dialogue and attention to grassroots and small-scale organisations in grant allocation.¶¶¶
- Three dedicated budget chapters are reintroduced for education and training, youth and sport, with explicit budget attributions per sector in work programmes.¶¶¶
- The indicative financial envelope for 2028-2034 is set at EUR 47.39 billion in current prices.¶
- The programme must not substitute for national public investment in education and should support the European Pillar of Social Rights, including the right to education, training and lifelong learning.¶
- The programme should support basic digital skills for the 44% of the Union population that lacks them, and boost digital competences in formal, non-formal and informal learning.¶
- International cooperation should promote fair and circular mobility, avoid social dumping, ensure adequate social protection, and respect Union values, human rights, academic freedom and international labour standards.¶
- Entities receiving programme support must comply with labour, social and anti-discrimination legislation and must not be subject to final decisions for serious breaches of labour or social standards.¶
Who is affected
- People with fewer opportunities: at least 20% of the financial envelope is earmarked for their participation, with targeted support and no penalty in evaluation.¶¶
- Volunteers and volunteering organisations: volunteering must not replace paid work and requires a written agreement and learning component.¶¶
- Teachers, trainers and education staff: mobility must count as working time and continuing professional development, with support measures.¶¶
- Youth organisations and civil society: recognised as policy actors and partners in programme design, implementation and evaluation.¶¶
- Grassroots and small organisations: specific attention in grant allocation and simplified, digitalised procedures.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 47.39 billion: indicative financial envelope for the programme for the period 2028-2034, in current prices.¶
- At least 20%: share of the total financial envelope allocated to support participation of people with fewer opportunities.¶
- 44%: share of the Union population that lacks basic digital skills.¶
- 12%: 2030 vocational education and training mobility target.¶
- Up to twelve months: maximum period for a volunteering activity.¶
- 1 January 2028: date from which the regulation should enter into force and apply.¶