The new proposed budget threatens much of the improvements forseen for Erasmus+ by the European Council itself
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and the European Students’ Union (ESU) have been playing their part to improve the Erasmus+ Programme in various ways, some of them being; #ErasmusUpgrade Manifesto and the Erasmusx10 campaign.
ESN and ESU took part in the Erasmusx10 campaign which has raised proposals amongst the European Commission. The proposals revolved around the current issue with the funding that goes into Erasmus+. ESN and ESU are set to improve the funding for “a more inclusive and accessible Erasmus”.
The initial proposal, set by the European Commission, stated there will be a two-fold increase in funding compared with the current Erasmus Programme. Adding to that, the European Parliament promised a tri-fold increase. Unfortunately, none of these proposals were met. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, recently declared the final proposal which did not sit well with ESN and ESU.
The final proposal is nowhere near the other two proposals – the budget is currently €21.2 billion which is 30% less than the original proposal made by the European Commission. The irony of it all is that the European Council stated they will “work towards stepping up mobility and exchanges, including through a substantially strengthened, inclusive and extended Erasmus+ Programme”.
This will seriously affect the growth of Erasmus+. ESN and ESU want the European Council and the Member States to reconsider their proposal.