EU Parliament Pushes for €47 Billion Erasmus+ Budget Boost

Bogdan Zdrojewski, the lead MEP on the file, expressed optimism that the increase would survive upcoming negotiations with EU capitals, despite resistance from countries like Germany and the Netherlands. The committee’s proposal ties future funding to strict rule-of-law and transparency standards, a requirement echoing past controversies involving Hungarian universities. Beyond internal growth, the program aims to broaden its reach; Ukraine and Moldova could join the next cycle pending specific conditions, while the UK and Switzerland are expected to return in 2027.

To improve management, lawmakers suggested allocating 74 percent of the budget to education and training, with 15 percent for youth volunteering and 4 percent for sport. The plan also prioritizes inclusivity, setting a 20 percent quota for participants from underprivileged backgrounds. Since its inception 39 years ago, Erasmus+ has hosted 17 million participants, a legacy Zdrojewski hopes to cement by extending partnerships to countries like Canada. The committee’s report now heads to a full plenary vote, which will form the basis for upcoming talks with the Council.