Proposal for the new programme: Erasmus for All

1. The COM proposal for "Erasmus for all"

The European Commission's web page for the Multiannual Financial Framework

Communication from the Commission regarding the programme proposal

The legal basis

"Erasmus for All" flyer

Frequently Asked Questions

In short: the Commission proposes a common programme for all education, training and youth actions, called "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.

2. What happens next?

The proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will have to be agreed upon by the Council of the European Union and by the European Parliament. If the MFF gets changed, also the programme outlines will need to be changed. Following the agreements on MFF, also the programme proposal will have to be agreed upon by the Council of the European Union and by the European Parliament. This is not likely to happen before the end of 2012, maybe even later.

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

The statement of the Youth Intergroup of the European Parliament as a reaction on the Commission's proposal for "Erasmus for All". 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 5000 supporters for a separate youth programme: http://www.facebook.com/youthinactionambassadors