The European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) has joined a broad coalition of higher education organisations in urging the European Parliament to ensure that education and training receives a robust budget share within the next Erasmus+ programme for 2028-2034. The call comes amid ongoing negotiations on the European Union’s multiannual financial framework and reflects concerns that proposed allocations could dilute the programme’s core focus on learning mobility and cooperation.
ECIU, a network of research-intensive universities committed to innovation and societal impact, emphasises that a strong allocation for education and training is essential to meet Europe’s skills needs, support the green and digital transitions, and strengthen the European Education Area. The organisation’s position aligns with a joint statement signed by 17 higher education bodies that calls for adjustments to the budget breakdown proposed in the European Parliament’s draft report.
Background on Erasmus+ and Its Evolution
Erasmus+ stands as the European Union’s flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. Launched in its current form in 2014 and significantly expanded for the 2021-2027 period, it has supported millions of learners, staff, and institutions across Europe and beyond. The programme funds mobility opportunities, cooperation projects, and capacity-building initiatives that promote cross-border learning and skills development.
The current cycle operates with an indicative budget exceeding €26 billion, nearly double the funding of the previous period. Education and training have historically accounted for the majority of resources, with mobility forming the largest component. This focus has enabled universities to expand international partnerships, enhance curricula, and provide students with transformative experiences that improve employability and intercultural competence.
As the programme approaches its next seven-year cycle, discussions centre on scaling up ambitions while maintaining its educational core. The European Commission’s proposal for 2028-2034 envisions a total budget of approximately €40.8 billion, representing a substantial increase. However, higher education stakeholders argue that even this figure requires careful internal allocation to preserve the programme’s effectiveness.
The ECIU Position and Joint Sector Response
ECIU’s recent statement highlights the need to safeguard the share dedicated to education and training measures. The organisation urges the European Parliament to support the higher education sector by readjusting the proposed budget breakdown, which some analyses suggest could reduce the education and training portion by as much as 10 percentage points compared with current levels.
In a joint statement issued alongside 16 other organisations, including university networks and student representatives, ECIU and partners stress that education and training must remain at the heart of Erasmus+. They point to the programme’s proven track record in delivering high European added value through mobility and cooperation. Any dilution of this focus, they argue, risks undermining broader EU objectives in skills development, innovation, and social cohesion.
The statement proposes specific amendments to the Commission’s draft, covering objectives, budget allocation, governance procedures, targeted scholarships in strategic fields, and better synergies with other EU funding instruments such as Horizon Europe. These recommendations aim to ensure the programme remains agile, inclusive, and aligned with emerging priorities like artificial intelligence literacy and sustainable development.
Current Budget Proposals and Stakeholder Concerns
The European Commission’s July 2025 proposal for the next multiannual financial framework includes a notable uplift for Erasmus+. Stakeholders welcome the overall increase but caution against shifts in internal priorities. A draft parliamentary report has floated a budget share of around 73.4 percent for education and training, prompting calls for restoration or enhancement of the traditional emphasis on this area.
University leaders across Europe note that education and training activities underpin the programme’s success in fostering talent mobility. Reductions in this share could constrain opportunities for students, early-career researchers, and staff, particularly at a time when Europe faces acute skills shortages in green technologies, digital competencies, and healthcare.
Organisations such as the European University Association and the Young European Research Universities Network have echoed ECIU’s concerns, emphasising predictability and adequate resourcing. They highlight that the next programme must support not only individual mobility but also institutional partnerships, including the European Universities Initiative alliances that ECIU itself participates in.
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Implications for European Universities and Students
Universities stand to benefit directly from a well-resourced Erasmus+ programme. Enhanced funding for education and training would enable more comprehensive mobility schemes, joint degree programmes, and challenge-based learning initiatives that ECIU members have pioneered. These activities strengthen institutional capacity, attract international talent, and contribute to regional innovation ecosystems.
For students, robust allocations translate into greater access to study abroad, internships, and traineeships. Such experiences have been shown to boost language skills, adaptability, and career prospects. In an era of rapid technological change, these opportunities help prepare graduates for a competitive labour market while promoting European values of cooperation and inclusion.
Administrators at universities also rely on Erasmus+ for staff development and knowledge exchange. Reduced emphasis on education and training could limit professional development pathways and hinder efforts to internationalise curricula across disciplines.
Broader EU Policy Context and Strategic Priorities
The debate over Erasmus+ funding occurs against the backdrop of the EU’s competitiveness agenda and the push for a European Education Area by 2025. Education and training are central to goals outlined in the European Pillar of Social Rights and the green and digital transitions.
ECIU and partner organisations argue that a strong education and training share supports these strategic priorities by building a highly skilled, mobile workforce. They note synergies with research programmes like Horizon Europe, where education components help translate research into teaching and societal impact.
Member states and the European Parliament will play decisive roles in finalising the budget. Negotiations are expected to continue through 2026 and into 2027, with higher education stakeholders actively engaging policymakers to advocate for balanced allocations.
Perspectives from Key Stakeholders
University rectors and alliance coordinators within ECIU have welcomed the overall budget uplift while stressing the importance of internal balance. They point to successful projects that combine mobility with innovation challenges, demonstrating the programme’s versatility when education and training remain central.
Student organisations represented in the joint statement emphasise inclusivity. They argue that adequate funding for education and training ensures opportunities reach underrepresented groups, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with caring responsibilities.
National agencies responsible for Erasmus+ implementation have also voiced support for maintaining a strong educational focus, citing administrative efficiencies and proven impact metrics from the current cycle.
Challenges and Potential Risks of Inadequate Allocation
Stakeholders identify several risks if the education and training share is not protected. These include reduced mobility volumes, slower progress on joint programmes, and diminished capacity to address emerging skills gaps. In a competitive global environment, Europe risks falling behind regions that invest more aggressively in talent development.
Administrative burdens could increase if funding streams become fragmented across multiple priorities. Predictability is another concern; universities plan multi-year initiatives that require stable resources.
ECIU members stress that the programme’s success depends on its ability to adapt while preserving its educational mission. Dilution could weaken the very features that make Erasmus+ a model for international cooperation.
Future Outlook and Recommendations
Looking ahead, the higher education sector anticipates continued advocacy during the legislative process. ECIU and its partners recommend that the final programme design include clear safeguards for education and training allocations, enhanced governance mechanisms, and stronger links with other EU instruments.
They also call for increased investment in strategic areas such as short-term mobility, digital skills, and sustainability-focused projects. These measures would help the programme deliver on its full potential for learners and institutions alike.
As negotiations progress, the outcome will shape Europe’s higher education landscape for the coming decade. A balanced approach that prioritises education and training promises to reinforce the EU’s role as a global leader in talent development and cross-border collaboration.
Actionable Insights for University Leaders
University administrators can prepare by reviewing their current Erasmus+ participation and identifying opportunities for expanded engagement under the next programme. Building consortia around challenge-based education, as ECIU institutions have done, positions universities well for future funding.
Engaging with national Erasmus+ agencies and European networks provides channels for input into policy discussions. Monitoring developments in the multiannual financial framework will help institutions plan resource allocation and partnership strategies effectively.
Ultimately, the sector’s unified voice strengthens the case for a programme that continues to transform lives through education and training.
