Commission announces over €5 billion in funding for skills under Erasmus+ 2026

Last November 12, the European Commission has opened the Erasmus+ 2026 call for proposals, offering new funding opportunities in education, training, youth and sport across Europe and beyond. With a budget of around € 5.2 billion for 2026, the programme continues to invest in skills development and citizenship education through cross-border mobility and cooperation projects.

Remaining faithful to its long-standing support for mobility and cooperation, in 2026 the Erasmus+ programme will support more partnerships and mobility in the school sector. This initiative will help organisations test and implement innovative teaching methods conducive to basic skills, supporting EU efforts in civic engagement, democratic participation, and promoting shared values.

The Erasmus+ 2026 call embraces the Union of Skills strategy, , which aims to enhance skills development for quality employment, promote lifelong learning, and help build resilience.

In addition, the programme keeps pursuing its overarching priorities of inclusion, digital and green transitions, and democratic participation.

Erasmus+ also continues to support Ukrainian learners and educators in Ukraine as well as Ukrainians who have been displaced in the EU or in a country associated to the programme.

This 2026 call will offer the learning mobility experiences for approximately 1,275,000 participants. It will support over 100,000 organisations involved in Erasmus+ projects, such as higher education institutions, schools, VET centres, companies, youth and sport organisations.

Practical information:

Organisations working in education, training, youth or sport — such as schools, universities, vocational centres, NGOs and youth groups — can apply for Erasmus+ funding. Individuals (like learners, teachers or young people) can take part through these organisations.

Most applications shall be submitted to National Agencies in each EU or Erasmus+ associated country. Some actions, like Jean Monnet large cooperation partnerships, are managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Full details are available in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026.

Erasmus+ supports:

• Learning mobility (for study, training, volunteering)
• Cooperation projects
• Policy and innovation
• Jean Monnet activities that provide increased opportunities for teaching, learning and debating

More information: European Commission