Erasmus: MEPs are calling for the 2028–2034 programme to be made more accessible

More funding

MEPs want to increase the programme’s budget to 47,390 million euros at current prices, compared with the 40,800 million euros proposed by the European Commission. The aim is to ensure that the programme’s ambitions are adequately funded. To simplify the management of Erasmus and make its funding more predictable, MEPs are also proposing a clear allocation of funds across its different areas of activity:

• Education and training: 74.6 per cent of the total budget.
• Youth and volunteering: 15 per cent.
• Sport: 4.1 per cent.

They also propose establishing a clear allocation of funds within each of these areas. MEPs wish to strengthen the conditions enabling Erasmus to be combined with other EU funds and initiatives. They also support ensuring that the programme’s grants continue to respect the financial interests and values of the European Union, as enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.

Promoting inclusion, supporting teachers and facilitating the mobility of sportspeople

MEPs on the CULT Committee believe that support for opportunities to participate in educational and youth exchanges under Erasmus must take into account existing differences in the cost of living, housing prices, inflation and purchasing power between host countries, regions and cities. Their aim is for the new programme to be more inclusive and for at least 20 per cent of Erasmus participants to be people with limited access to educational and employment opportunities. MEPs also believe that the new Erasmus programme should contribute to the implementation of the forthcoming EU agenda for teachers and trainers, as well as promote policies aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of teaching staff. For the first time, according to the MEPs’ proposal, Erasmus should also facilitate the mobility of grass roots sports people, and not just that of staff at sports clubs and organisations.

Integration of the European Solidarity Corps

MEPs support the European Commission’s proposal to merge the current Erasmus programme with the European Solidarity Corps, including the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps. Best practices developed within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps would be incorporated into the new Erasmus programme.

“Erasmus is one of the EU’s best-known programmes, offering opportunities to millions of Europeans to learn, teach, train and gain international experience. The decisions we take today will shape those opportunities for years to come. As the programme evolves, we must ensure that it remains accessible, user-friendly and responsive to the needs of young people, students, pupils, teachers and organisations across Europe and beyond,” said rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP, PL).

Next steps

The position of the Committee on Culture and Education was adopted by 24 votes in favour, one against and one abstention. The text will now be put to a vote in the European Parliament’s plenary session at a future sitting. Once adopted, negotiations can begin with the Council of the EU, which agreed its position in May 2026.

Background

The European Commission presented its proposal for the new Erasmus Regulation on 16 July 2025. The legislation forms part of the EU’s long-term budget package for the period 2028–2034. The European Parliament wants the EU budget to remain a robust investment tool that supports citizens, regions and businesses, whilst generating clear added value compared to national budgets. Against this backdrop, MEPs are proposing to increase the size of the budget to tackle new challenges and are emphasising the importance of securing new sources of revenue to fund an ambitious and sustainable budget.