What is Erasmus+ programme?

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme for education, training, youth and sport for the period 2021–2027. During this time, the programme will support the participation of 10 million European young people, students and adults in education, training, traineeships or volunteering abroad, enabling them to expand their skills and competence. Erasmus+ also offers educational institutions and organisations opportunities for European cooperation with their international partners.

Objectives of Erasmus+ programme

The objectives of the Erasmus+ programme are to

• support people’s educational, professional and personal development in the fields of education, training, youth and sport in Europe and the partner countries
• promote growth, employment, social cohesion and innovation
• strengthen European identity and active citizenship.

In addition, Erasmus+ promotes:

• learning mobility of pupils, students, teachers and trainers, and cooperation, participation, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations in the field of education and training
• non-formal learning and active participation of young people and youth workers, and the cooperation, participation, creativity and innovation of youth organisations
• learning mobility of sport coaches and staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations

Priorities of the Erasmus+ programme

The Erasmus+ programme for the period 2021–2027 places special emphasis on inclusion, digitalisation, environmental friendliness and participation in society.

Inclusion and diversity

The aim is to enable an increasing number of individuals and wider target groups to participate in the Erasmus+ programme. The new Erasmus+ programme makes participation in the programme easier so that newcomer organisations, smaller organisations and persons who otherwise would not participate can benefit from the opportunities offered by the programme. For example, local actions in the field of youth, short-term mobilities and small-scale partnerships that enable participation with a low threshold will be added to the programme.

Digitalisation

During the new Erasmus+ programme period, opportunities provided by digitalisation will be increasingly used in international cooperation. Virtual learning will complement physical mobility and periods abroad. Online cooperation between project partners will be used in Erasmus+ partnerships for cooperation to an increasing extent. The programme also supports the development of digital skills, the introduction of innovative virtual teaching methods and the use of online technology.

Environmental responsibility

The new Erasmus+ programme promotes environmentally responsible internationalisation. One way of doing this is to decrease the carbon footprint of periods abroad by favouring environmentally friendly modes of travel and virtual cooperation. The programme will also increase the environmental awareness of participants and organisations and their commitment to sustainable development.

Active citizenship

The aim of the Erasmus+ programme is to increase participation in society by supporting active citizenship and promoting the development of social and intercultural skills, critical thinking and media literary. The programme prioritises projects that offer opportunities for participation in society and young people’s civic engagement. Raising awareness and understanding of the European Union matters, the common values of the EU and the principles of diversity and belonging to a community also play a key role.

Who can apply for Erasmus+ programme?

Organisations such as educational institutions, higher education institutions, NGOs, companies and youth services of municipalities can apply for funding. In the field of youth, informal groups of young people can also apply for a grant.

Individuals apply for a grant through an organisation or an educational institution. For example, students apply for the grant for their exchange abroad through their own educational institution.

You can also join Erasmus+ projects by becoming a partner in a project coordinated by another country.

Innovation Manager and Erasmus+

Get in touch to find out how we can help you write a proposal that wins Erasmus+ funding.

Read our Erasmus+ reference cases.