Erasmus for all, the next steps

It has been just under a year since the European Commission released its proposal for ‘Erasmus for All’, the next generation of programmes that will be the successor to the current Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP).

Since then there have been many debates taking place across the UK and Europe about the new programme. We have kept you up to date with the latest developments and the next steps for Erasmus for All.

So what’s been happening?

March

March saw the decision makers’ discussions taking place with the House of Lords’ European Union Committee meeting to give their broad support to the proposed expansion of the education and training programme ‘subject to reduction being made in budget’.

At a European level, the European Parliament held a public hearing. Expert witnesses contributed to a fairly negative session which welcomed the expansion and simplification outlined but staunchly defended the current sectoral approach of the current LLP. The proposal was also criticised for lack of detail and the fair respresentation of sectors, especially youth.

We brought you up to date with the headline changes to the new approach and highlighted the information published on our websites which includes a factsheet and frequently asked questions.

Our updates

http://llpukecorys.com/2012/03/20/erasmus-for-all-the-european-commissions-proposal-for-the-next-generation-of-programmes/

http://llpukecorys.com/2012/04/12/erasmus-for-all-update-house-of-lords-report-european-parliament-public-hearing/

May

On the 11 May the proposal was discussed by national Education Ministers and a revised version of the propoosal was adopted.  Officially, Ministers reached a ‘partial general approach’, as the description was not the most enlightening we gave you an update on the key changes.

The European Parliament also met in May for their first offical exchange of views during the Education and Culture committee. The Committee of MEPs endorsed the recommendations set out by Doris Pack, Chair of the Committee, and recognised the need for a simpler, streamlined approach for the next generation of funding but were not in agreement with all aspects.

Our updates

http://llpukecorys.com/2012/05/31/erasmus-for-all-update-european-parliament-exchange-of-views/

http://llpukecorys.com/2012/05/31/erasmus-for-all-update-european-parliament-exchange-of-views/

June

At our Thematic Networking event we held a panel discussion on Erasmus for All where a panel of UK experts gave their views on the proposal and we tweeted the points raised.  We would be interested in knowing your thoughts, concerns and expectations of the future programme.

Our updates

http://llpukecorys.com/2012/06/21/erasmus-for-all-your-views/

July

The Culture and Education Committee met in July to build on the discussions raised in their first official exchange of views.  Several new areas of the proposal were debated including the introduction of Erasmus Masters guarantee facility, involvement of neighborhood countries, programme management and implementation procedures.

Doris Pack, Chair of the Committee, has complied a draft report of the Committee’s recommendations based on the exchange of views which will be submitted to the European Parliament in September.   The report includes an explanatory statement summarising the key recommendations.  Read the report in full: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/erasmusforall

Our updates

http://llpukecorys.com/2012/07/16/erasmus-for-all-update/

Next steps

After the draft report has been submitted in September, the European Parliament will then reconvene in November to vote on the next generation of funding programme.

We’ll keep you up to date with the latest developments on this site, subscribe to our blog to receive our updates direct to your inbox or follow @llpUKecorys on Twitter and tweet as us to share your views on Erasmus for All.