Proposal for the new EU programme generation

Go directly to the current information about the state of negotiations.

 

1. The COM proposal for the new programme generation

The European Commission's web page for the new programme proposal

Communication from the Commission regarding the programme proposal

The legal basis

"Erasmus for All" flyer

Frequently Asked Questions

Impact Assessment on youth actions in the programme proposal - part of an overall analysis with a view to establishing options for the future Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.

In short: the Commission proposes a common programme for all education, training and youth actions, they wish to call "Erasmus for All". The integration of several current programmes into one is expected to reduce administrative costs, whereas the support to the projects should be higher than in the current programmes. There would be three Key Actions in the programme: Learning Mobility, Cooperation, and Policy Reform. The youth field related activities are embedded into all of these. In addition to the Key Actions, the proposal entails separate pillars of "Jean Monnet Initiative" and "Sport Action".

From the youth field point of view: Starting with the title of the proposed programme and finishing with the proposed funding levels by sector, the new programme has a very clear focus on the learning mobility within higher education (see graph 2, p. 17 in the Communication from the Commission). For all sectors, a budget raise is proposed as compared to the funding within the current programmes: in higher education ("Erasmus Higher Education"), the raise is 85-95%; in "Erasmus Youth Participation", 25-40%. From the concrete activities that will be supported, youth exchanges and voluntary service are being mentioned. The Impact Assessment highlights the very positive experience made with the current measures of the Youth in Action.

2. The current negotiations

Council of the EU

On May 11, 2012, the Council of the European Union adopted a partial general approach (meaning that there are reservations by some countries, in particular regarding the budget) on the programme proposal. During the negotiations in the council, a separate youth pillar, a "youth chapter" has been introduced to the programme proposal. This separate chapter should enable a more autonomous view on youth work and on the aims and measures of the future programme in the field of youth.

Have a look at the programme proposal adopted by the Council of the EU!

You may also download the file prepared by Jugend für Europa for a clear overview of what has been changed during the negotiations in the Council between January and April (select the option to see 2 pages on the screen at the same time).

European Parliament

The programme is now being discussed in the European Parliament. The Education and Culture Committee (CULT) has adopted a position on the Commission's proposal, suggesting several changes. The report of the meeting highlights the changes that were agreed upon by the Committee. The changes start from the name of the programme, ‘YES Europe’, (YES as an abbreviation for Youth, Education and Sports). The integrated programme consists of different sub-programmes according to sectors, keeping their brands: Grundtvig, Leonardo, Comenius, and Youth in Action. The Committee's proposal foresees also separate budget lines for the separate areas; 8% of the total budget of the programme should go for the youth chapter.

A final vote in the European Parliament is expected in February 2013. The final agreement between the Council of the EU, the Parliament, and the European Commission, is expected to be reached by summer 2013.

For a comprehensive overview of the main steps taken in the decision-making process, have a look at the PowerPoint presentation prepared by SALTO-YOUTH Participation (state of affairs, end of Sept 2012) - Future Union Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport (2014-2020).

3. Evaluation of the current programmes

Youth in Action interim evaluation

Results of the public consultation on Youth in Action

The Commission Staff Working Paper on the EU Budget until 2020 (Education, Training and Youth is described pp. 171-185)

In short: the Interim Evaluation of the current Youth in Action programme reveals positive results: the programme is well embedded in the EU strategic objectives, it is complementary to other EU programmes, and fits the needs of the target groups, including young people with fewer opportunities. The management structures are considered efficient, considering also the need to support grass-root level and often inexperienced target groups.

The results of the public consultation on YiA (Sept-Nov 2010) express support to the continuation of the current, separate framework for a youth programme, the majority also indicating the need to continue using the same name.

The COM Staff Working Paper describes the success made with the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) in terms of quality and innovation development, whereas the complexity of the structure of the current programme, as well as that of the international higher education instruments, is criticised (P.174).

4. Position papers and statements

In the EU Youth Conference in Denmark, March 18-21 2012, the EU-Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou asked the participants to come up with 10 reasons for a separate youth programme. The result was formed into a video.

The statement of the Youth Intergroup of the European Parliament as a reaction on the Commission's proposal for the new programme. The statement stresses the importance of supporting young people's active participation within a separate chapter in the programme for youth policy.

Common positition of 15 Directors General responsible for youth, on the prospective youth programme.

Reaction of the Network of National Agencies on the Multiannual Financial Framework (Sept 2011). See also Proposal of the network of National Agencies: A new EU programme Youth in Action beyond 2013 (Spring 2011)

Resolution on the future of the Youth in Action programme by the European Youth Forum.

Frequently asked questions about YiA 2.0 by the European Youth Forum - including information about who to turn to for lobbying the developments.

Germany's position on a prospective EU Youth Programme as of 2014

13 good reasons for a separate EU youth programme from 2014 formulated by the German NA.

5. Related advocacy processes

European Youth Forum has launched a campaign for an independent and strong youth programme from 2014 on: http://www.whereareyouthgoing.eu/

A Facebook initiative "Youth in Action Ambassadors" with over 9100 supporters for a separate youth programme: http://www.facebook.com/youthinactionambassadors

Article about the proposal for the new programme generation in a portal of youth policy issues.