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The Unified Voice of Europe's Higher Education Sector
Europe's higher education landscape has rarely seen such unity. On February 18, 2026, 17 leading organizations representing thousands of universities, colleges, students, and stakeholders across the continent jointly released a set of targeted amendments to the European Commission's draft regulation for the next Erasmus+ programme, spanning 2028 to 2034. This collective effort underscores the programme's pivotal role in fostering student and staff mobility, institutional cooperation, and Europe's global competitiveness in education.
Building on a January 2026 joint statement calling for substantial funding increases, these amendments address critical gaps in the Commission's proposal, prioritizing quality mobility, inclusivity, and resilience amid geopolitical and economic challenges. The move signals a determined push to evolve Erasmus+—originally the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students since 1987—into an even more robust engine for the European Education Area and the Union of Skills.
This initiative is particularly timely as the EU negotiates the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), where education investments are key to addressing talent shortages highlighted in reports like Mario Draghi's on European competitiveness.
Erasmus+: A Proven Success Story in Higher Education
Erasmus+, the European Union's flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport, has transformed lives and institutions since its expansion in 2014. With a 2021-2027 budget of €26.2 billion—nearly double the previous period—it supports learning mobility for students, staff, trainees, and young people, alongside cooperation projects like the European Universities alliances.
Key statistics highlight its impact: nearly 16 million participants since inception, with learning mobility numbers nearly doubling since 2014. In higher education (HE), which receives a minimum 34.6% of funds, over 5 million students and staff have benefited, boosting employability—Erasmus alumni are 23% less likely to be unemployed—and fostering intercultural skills essential for Europe's diverse workforce.
The programme funds short-term exchanges (3-12 months), virtual mobility, traineeships, and strategic partnerships, enabling concrete examples like the 41 European Universities alliances uniting over 340 institutions in transnational bachelor's and master's degrees. Amid rising demands for digital, green, and inclusive skills, Erasmus+ has proven resilient, adapting during COVID-19 with blended mobility options.
The Commission's Proposal: A Step Forward, But Not Enough
In July 2025, as part of the €2 trillion MFF 2028-2034 proposal, the European Commission outlined a €40.8 billion budget for Erasmus+ (in current prices), merging it with the European Solidarity Corps and emphasizing strategic priorities like skills in green/digital transitions and talent attraction.
While a 50% nominal increase from the current envelope, sector leaders argue it merely sustains 2027 activity levels post-inflation (cumulative ~20% since 2021), absorbing new costs without room for expansion. Responsibilities now include scaling the 'Europe on the Move' mobility targets (20% of HE students mobile), consolidating vocational excellence centres, and new scholarships in priority fields—strains that risk diluting core mobility funding.
The draft regulation shifts focus toward sector-specific skills, prompting concerns over reduced bottom-up access for non-priority fields. Without indicative sectoral allocations, HE institutions face planning uncertainty, potentially undermining the programme's agility.
🚀 The €60 Billion Budget Demand: Rationale and Breakdown
At the heart of the amendments is a call to triple the current budget's real value by raising Erasmus+ to at least €60 billion. This ambitious figure aligns with the European Parliament's past advocacy to triple funding and addresses Draghi's call for massive skills investment.
The sector proposes indicative allocations across education/training sectors, safeguarding HE's 34.6% minimum share (~€20.8 billion). Benefits include:
- Scaling mobility to meet 20% student target, adding millions more participants.
- Funding inclusive measures for disadvantaged learners (fewer opportunities).
- Supporting European Universities and international outreach.
- Countering inflation and new geopolitical tasks like crisis mobility.
Proponents highlight cost-effectiveness: each €1 invested yields €10 in societal/economic returns via innovation, cohesion, and employability.
Core Amendments: Protecting Mobility and Cooperation
The 17 organizations propose precise changes to the regulation, reaffirming learning mobility and transnational cooperation as Erasmus+' primary missions across all fields, not just strategic ones. Amendments ensure new scholarships add 'genuine value' via innovative, interdisciplinary programmes, with co-funding from the European Competitiveness Fund to avoid diversion from core funds.
Step-by-step process for scholarships: (1) Member states/stakeholders define scopes; (2) Prioritize transnational added value; (3) Review periodically; (4) Blend with other funds. This preserves the bottom-up ethos allowing universities to address local needs while aligning with EU goals like the Union of Skills.
For HE, this means sustained support for staff exchanges, which enhance teaching quality—over 300,000 staff mobilities in 2021-27 alone.
Research assistants and lecturers often leverage these for career boosts.
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Governance Reforms: Reintroducing the Programme Committee
A key governance amendment reinstates the committee procedure, empowering member states and observers (like student unions) in implementation. Proposed sector-specific configurations (e.g., HE-only meetings) and external expertise would ensure transparent, evidence-based decisions.
Currently, the Commission's sole management risks inconsistent application across 27 states. Reintroduction fosters ownership, vital for complex features like European Universities alliances, where 340+ institutions collaborate on joint degrees.
This reform draws from 2021-27 successes, where committees refined rules amid crises.
🌍 Strengthening International and Crisis Dimensions
To bolster global standing, amendments advocate €6 billion from Global Europe for partner-country mobilities, policy dialogue, and cooperation. A clear pathway for UK/Switzerland re-association is urged, given pre-Brexit peaks (UK hosted 10% mobilities).
Crisis resilience is prioritized: flexible fund use for at-risk students/staff, dedicated scholarships, and links to Horizon Europe's SAFE/MSCA4Ukraine pilots. Real-world case: Ukraine war saw 20,000+ mobilities redirected, proving adaptability needs.
These changes position Erasmus+ as a geopolitical tool, attracting global talent amid US/Asia competition.
Synergies with Horizon Europe and Beyond
Amendments mandate explicit synergies: Erasmus+ mobility complements Horizon Europe's research training; European Competitiveness Fund co-finances skills scholarships; regional plans support alliances. For research jobs, this means seamless transitions from mobility to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
Example: A student in a European University alliance uses Erasmus+ for study abroad, then Horizon for PhD—maximizing impact without silos.
This holistic approach amplifies €60bn, leveraging MFF's €2tn total.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Quotes
EUA Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot: “We can make this excellent flagship even more impactful and inclusive.” The Guild's Jan Palmowski stresses international partnerships; LERU pushes Human Rights scholarships.
Student voices via ESN/ESU emphasize inclusivity; EURASHE for applied sciences. Unanimity spans research-intensive (LERU, Guild) to innovative (ECIU) unis.
Impacts on Students, Staff, and Higher Education Institutions
For students, €60bn enables more grants (current ~€500/month), targeting underrepresented groups—rural, low-income, disabled. Staff gain teaching/training mobilities, vital for lecturer jobs and innovation.
Institutions benefit from predictable funding for alliances, boosting rankings and attracting international talent. Case: KU Leuven's alliances doubled partnerships.
Long-term: Higher GER (gross enrolment ratio), reduced brain drain, enhanced EU cohesion.
Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Outlook
Challenges: MFF negotiations amid fiscal constraints; balancing strategic vs. broad access. Opportunities: Align with AI/green transitions, post-Ukraine recovery.
Outlook: Parliament/Council adoption by 2027, with sector lobbying key. Success could see 20mn+ participants, solidifying Europe's HE leadership.
Professionals eyeing Europe should monitor; explore university jobs in Europe boosted by mobility.
Why This Matters for Your Career in Higher Education
An enhanced Erasmus+ opens doors: alumni networks for faculty positions, skills for admin roles. Institutions hiring via alliances prioritize mobile talent.
- Students: Build CVs with international experience.
- Staff: Access training, collaborations.
- Leaders: Strategic funding for growth.
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