EU Parliament pushes for €7bn boost to Erasmus+ student scheme

Polish MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski, who steered the proposal, argued that expanding the budget is essential to broaden access beyond traditional student demographics. The parliament’s vision includes a significant shift toward vocational training and increased financial stipends to help students from lower-income backgrounds navigate expensive cities. Currently, only 15 percent of participants come from backgrounds with fewer travel opportunities, a figure advocates say remains far too low.

Since its inception, the programme has facilitated exchanges for 17 million people, serving as a rare, tangible success story for the EU’s public image. With the 40th anniversary approaching in 2027 and the United Kingdom set to rejoin the network, lawmakers view the funding hike as a strategic investment. German socialist MEP Sabrina Repp emphasized during the Strasbourg debate that financial barriers currently dictate who can afford an international education, a dynamic she insists must be dismantled to ensure the programme serves all Europeans regardless of age or economic status.