Let’s make Erasmus+ a European program truly for all

by Roxana Lazarescu

We all know about Erasmus. A mobility programme for students. And in its 35 years of existence, it has become so much more than that. Erasmus + is now a mobility programme for all: pupils, students, adult learners, teachers, VET-students…

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament wants as many people as possible to benefit from Erasmus+. That’s why we believe that it is important to study what has already been done, from 2014 to 2020, to identify good practices, obstacles and failures in the field of inclusion.

MEP Laurence FARRENG (MoDem/Renaissance, France) is the Renew Europe rapporteur on the issue and advocates for tailored funding and grants to increase the participation of people with fewer opportunities, as financial barriers continue to be one of the biggest obstacles in Erasmus+

“More targeted financial support, enhanced IT tools, greater communication, additional support to staff and families are among the report’s recommendations to make Erasmus + a programme for all, regardless on each participant’s background”, she adds.

One way to make the program work better is to financially support & acknowledge the importance of teachers, youth workers and staff in raising awareness, in informing and supporting future learners, and identifying people with fewer opportunities.

The specific needs of persons with disabilities should be taken into account — in order to facilitate their participation in the programme by offering them hybrid mobility, giving them the opportunity to be accompanied, and providing them with suitable and accessible accommodation and specialised support services.

Renew Europe stresses the importance of the Erasmus+ programme in promoting the values of tolerance and diversity and calls on the Commission to establish links with EU Anti-racism Action Plan, EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy and continue to give visibility to gender equality in their policies and actions.