07 Jan 2026
Joint statement by European universities calls for substantial budget for next Erasmus+ programme
In a joint statement released on 7 January 2026, 17 organisations from the European higher education sector call on policy makers to ensure an allocation of at least €60 billion for Erasmus+ in the EU’s next long-term budget.
The statement refers to the Draghi report of September 2024 which highlighted the fact that over the coming decade Europe needs to significantly enhance its competitiveness and resilience, which requires investing in people, skills and talent. The European Commission has proposed a number of ambitious actions for the next generation of Erasmus+, however, the signatories regard the currently proposed budget of €40.8 billion for the period 2028-2034 as insufficient, stating that underinvestment in education would undermine the EU’s own political objectives.
The statement points out that Erasmus+ is one of Europe’s most tangible success stories. At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, Erasmus+ delivers long-term returns in skills, employability, innovation capacity and civic engagement. According to the paper, Erasmus+ contributes directly to developing a highly skilled, mobile and adaptable workforce, strengthens Europe’s knowledge base and enhances societal cohesion and democratic resilience. The statement’s signatories underline that Europe can only achieve its ambitions in education, skills and talent if Erasmus+ is ambitiously resourced.
The statement is signed by the European University Association, CESAER, the Coimbra Group, the Erasmus Student Network, the European Students’ Union, the European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education (EURASHE), the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, the Academic Cooperation Association, AURORA, the European Association for International Education, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities, the European University Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the League of European Research Universities, the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA), the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) and the Young European Research Universities Network.
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