Erasmus for All: The European Commission’s proposal for the next generation of programmes

At the end of 2013 some significant changes will take place to current European funding programmes. The current Lifelong Learning Programme will come to an end and will be replaced by a new generation of programmes.

In November 2011 the European Commission published their proposal for a new programme ‘Erasmus for All’.  The proposal sets out the Commission’s views on how to create a stronger and more efficient programme for the future, building on the successes of the Lifelong Learning Programme.

One funding programme – a new approach

Essentially, the change can be seen as bringing existing programmes together as one. The benefits of this approach are seen to be simplification – for applicants and National Agencies – and efficiency – since a multitude of regulations and approaches will be replaced with one funding framework.

Headline changes

• It is proposed that Erasmus for All will replace the Lifelong Learning Programme (Erasmus, Leonardo, Comenius, Grundtvig, Transversal), the Youth in Action programme, and five international co-operation programmes (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and the programme for co-operation with industrialised countries).
• A 70% increase in the budget has been outlined in the proposal.
• The next generation of programmes will run from 2014 -2020

The Commission propose calling the new programme ‘Erasmus for All’. However unlike the current Erasmus programme, which focuses on the higher education sector, the new programme would be open to organisations involved in every stage of lifelong learning – schools, colleges, universities, adult education and community learning organisations, the youth sector etc.

Everything in the proposal, particularly the proposed new structure and budget, will need to be approved by MEPs (via the European Parliament) and Member State governments (via the European Council). Therefore the Erasmus for All proposal is subject to change based on these negotiations.

Where can I find out more?

We’ve recently published some information on the future of the Lifelong Learning Programme on our websites, this includes a two-page factsheet and frequently asked questions. You can access this information via our Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal websites.

What other resources are there?

You can find out more about Erasmus for All from the European Commission.  They have a range of information from leaflets to videos that explain the proposed changes.

If you are on Twitter you can search for information and events using the hashtag #erasmusforall.

Keeping you up to date on the latest developments

As the National Agency for the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal programmes, our role over the next 18 months is to keep you informed of progress in building the next programme. We will therefore provide further updates on an on-going basis as we receive further detailed information from the European Commission.