Joint position paper by the Erasmus+ Coalition: €47.4 billion for Erasmus+ 2028–2034

Erasmus+ currently accounts for only around 2% of the EU budget, yet has a significant impact across education, training, youth, volunteering and sport. Investment in Erasmus+ strengthens skills, democratic participation, critical thinking and societal resilience. Furthermore, according to a briefing by the European Parliament on the programme’s impact (Link), every euro invested generates an economic return of ten euros. Cutting the budget would therefore weaken a key instrument that helps Europe respond to global crises, digitalisation and AI, competitive pressures, as well as social and environmental challenges. The €47.4 billion called for by the European Parliament and the joint position paper is already well below the €130 billion cited in the 2024 Draghi report and the €60 billion advocated in recent months by key stakeholders in higher education, including the DAAD and its umbrella organisation, the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA).