On 30 May 2018, Erasmus 2021-2027 proposal was adopted. The proposal for a new regulation is a funding instruments part of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. Establishing a new programme would ensure the continuation and evolution of the Erasmus+ funding programme for education, training, youth and sport. The new proposal also aims to increase the level of simplification for end users, integrate sports into the program’s mainstream structure, supports new areas of knowledge. It continues to pursue the goal of improving citizens’ skills, employability and engagement. The proposal helps to increase the awareness of EU, so it creates new opportunities in forward-looking knowledge fields.
The commission claims triple the number of participants from 4 million people to 12 million and the double of the funds from €14 712 to €30 000 million.
One of the main principles of the programme is increasing the lifelong learning with activities. Evidence shows that learning mobility through Erasmus+ improves the employability of participants and their sense of being European and active citizens. On the current program, there was obstacles for people with disabilities, people with less economic means and citizens in remote areas. Thus, the new proposal targets to remove these barriers.
The European Parliament (EP) draws attention to the potential of Erasmus+ for vocational education and training in order to allow as many people as possible to participate. EP points out two types of obstacles which are financial barriers and lack of automatic recognition and international qualifications. In order to make participants stay longer, EP come up with greater flexibility in mobility grants and administrative cost and the exemption from taxation and social levies. It suggests Erasmus programme to complement of the EU Youth Strategy and other EU-funded programmes.
In addition, one of the difficulties is about European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits during the mobility periods. Thus, it recommends to create an European student eCard in order to provide Europe-wide access for students.
The new proposal would also expand non-formal learning mobility for young people and learning mobility opportunities for higher education students, vocational education students, staff and apprentices, and re-introduce mobility for school pupils and low-skilled adult learners.
The programme would maintain the same basic structure with three key actions. The first key action caters for mobility, the second focuses on cooperation for innovation and the exchange of best practices, while the third supports policy development.