Erasmus for All: 5 million in line for EU funding
Up to 5 million people, almost twice as many as currently benefit from the scheme, could get the chance to study or train abroad with a grant from Erasmus for All, the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport proposed by the European Commission today.
Irish young people make up 1% of the total taking part in the Erasmus programme, behind some countries of similar size or smaller. The short-fall is thought to be due to Irish students' hesitance to study in a non-English speaking country. Taking part would allow them to improve their language skills and build networks in other EU countries where they have the right to live and work.
The new scheme can include up to 3 million higher education and vocational students. Master's degree students would also benefit from a new loan guarantee scheme set up with the European Investment Bank Group. The seven-year Erasmus for All programme, which would have a total budget of €19 billion, is now under discussion by the Council (27 Member States) and the European Parliament who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.
For more information see: MEMO/11/818