European Higher Education Leaders Unite Behind Erasmus+ Reforms
On February 18, 2026, a powerful coalition of 17 prominent European higher education organizations came together to propose a series of targeted amendments to the European Commission's draft regulation for the Erasmus+ programme spanning 2028 to 2034. This unified action underscores the critical importance of the Erasmus+ (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, now encompassing broader education, training, youth, and sport initiatives) in fostering learning mobility and transnational cooperation across universities and colleges throughout Europe. The joint initiative aims to safeguard and enhance the programme's core missions amid ongoing negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The European higher education community, representing thousands of institutions, millions of students, and countless staff members, is sending a clear message to EU co-legislators: Erasmus+ must receive robust support to continue driving skills development, institutional resilience, and Europe's competitiveness on the global stage. This collective effort highlights a rare level of consensus among diverse stakeholders, from research-intensive universities to student networks, all rallying to secure the future of student and staff exchanges that have defined European higher education for nearly four decades.
Understanding the Origins of Erasmus+ and Its Transformative Role
Launched in 1987 as a pilot student exchange scheme, Erasmus+ has evolved into one of the European Union's flagship programmes. The current iteration (2021-2027) boasts a budget of approximately €26.2 billion, enabling over 1.5 million participants in 2024 alone across various activities, with higher education mobility forming the backbone. In higher education specifically, the programme supports physical, blended, and virtual exchanges for students at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, as well as teaching and training stays for academic staff.
Studies reveal profound impacts: 99% of higher education institutions (HEIs) view Erasmus+ as indispensable for high-quality mobility opportunities. Participants gain enhanced employability—former mobile students are 23% less likely to be unemployed—with improved soft skills like adaptability, intercultural competence, and language proficiency. For institutions, it bolsters internationalization strategies, fosters partnerships, and contributes to the European Universities Initiative, where alliances of universities create joint campuses and degrees.
From 2014 to 2024, annual mobility participants surged from 259,000 to 1.44 million, demonstrating growing demand. Yet, challenges persist: only 11% of EU tertiary graduates engage in cross-border mobility, highlighting untapped potential in fields like STEM and vocational training.
The European Commission's Initial Proposal for 2028-2034
In July 2025, the Commission unveiled its vision for Erasmus+ 2028-2034, proposing a budget of €36.2 billion in 2025 prices (around €40.8 billion in current prices)—a roughly 50% increase over the current frame. While welcomed for recognizing the programme's value, critics argue it falls short of ambitions outlined in the European Education Area and Union of Skills agendas. New elements include scholarships in strategic priority areas and enhanced crisis support, but concerns arose over potential dilution of core mobility funding due to vague allocations and overburdened implementation structures.
The proposal merges Erasmus+ with aspects of Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV), raising fears of sectoral imbalances. Without indicative budgets per education/training sector, higher education—historically claiming the lion's share—might face competition from youth or sport strands. Moreover, governance shifts away from the traditional Programme Committee could limit stakeholder input.
Key Amendments Proposed by the Higher Education Coalition
The 17 organizations have meticulously drafted amendments to address these gaps, prioritizing quality, inclusivity, and sustainability. Here's a breakdown of the principal recommendations:
- Budget Boost: Elevate total funding to at least €60 billion, with indicative allocations per sector (e.g., higher ed, VET) to prevent imbalances.
- Core Focus: Explicitly reaffirm learning mobility (students/staff) and transnational cooperation as primary objectives across all study fields.
- Governance: Reintroduce the committee procedure for Member States and observers to shape implementation.
- New Initiatives: Ensure strategic scholarships add genuine value without siphoning core resources.
- Synergies: Forge explicit links with Horizon Europe, European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), and National Recovery Plans for seamless education-research integration.
- Associations: Clear pathways for UK and Switzerland re-association, beyond binary models.
- International Dimension: Expand mobility/cooperation with non-EU partners serving mutual interests.
- Resilience: Bolster crisis response for students/staff in conflict or disaster zones.
These changes aim to evolve Erasmus+ without revolutionizing it, building on proven successes while adapting to green/digital transitions and skills shortages.
Who Are the Signatories? A Diverse Coalition
This unprecedented unity spans the spectrum:
- European University Association (EUA)
- CESAER (science/tech unis)
- Coimbra Group (historic research unis)
- Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
- League of European Research Universities (LERU)
- European Students’ Union (ESU) & Erasmus Student Network (ESN)
- EURASHE (applied sciences)
- National agencies like DAAD
- Networks: UNICA, UNIMED, YERUN, etc.
Representing over 4,000 institutions and 20 million students, their voice carries weight in Brussels.
Stakeholders like EUA's Amanda Crowfoot emphasize: “We can make this excellent flagship programme even more impactful and inclusive.” CESAER's Ilkka Niemelä adds that Erasmus+ structures collaboration at European scale amid technological disruptions.Read the full EUA announcement.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Students, Staff, and Institutions
Students via ESU/ESN stress inclusivity—reaching underrepresented groups, including short-cycle and VET learners. Universities highlight synergies with European Universities alliances, enabling multi-annual funding blends for joint degrees. Staff mobility, crucial for curriculum innovation, needs predictable grants amid rising costs.
National agencies like DAAD advocate for streamlined third-country partnerships, benefiting non-EU students in Europe. Overall, the amendments promise equitable access, with targeted support for disadvantaged participants, aligning with EU goals for social mobility.Discover university opportunities across Europe.
Proven Impacts and Statistics Driving the Call for Action
Erasmus+ has empowered over 16 million since inception, with HE mobility yielding:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual HE Mobility (2024) | ~1 million |
| Employability Boost | 23% lower unemployment |
| Institutional Benefit | 99% deem essential |
| Gross Enrolment Impact | Supports 11% mobile graduates |
Case studies: Aalto University credits Erasmus+ for cross-cultural innovation; Gdańsk Tech for alliance-building. Yet, budget constraints risk stagnation—€60bn ensures scaling to 2+ million annual mobilities. For faculty eyeing exchanges, check faculty positions.
Challenges Facing Erasmus+ and How Amendments Address Them
Key hurdles: Post-pandemic backlogs, geopolitical tensions (e.g., Ukraine), inflation eroding grants, and low non-EU participation. Amendments counter with crisis buffers, inflation-indexed budgets, and flexible association models—e.g., partial UK/Swiss involvement in HE strands.
Inclusivity gaps: Only 6.6% credit mobility; proposals reintroduce short-cycle support, digital tools for blended exchanges. Synergies with Horizon Europe integrate education-research, vital for AI/green transitions.CESAER's detailed statement.
Implications for European Universities and Colleges
Adopted amendments would supercharge internationalization: more incoming talent, stronger alliances, resilient ops. For students, expanded slots mean diverse experiences; staff gain professional growth. Institutions benefit from stable funding, easing admin burdens.
Real-world: UNIMED pushes Mediterranean ties; UNICA urban uni networks. This positions Europe as skills hub vs. US/Asia competition. Aspiring lecturers? Browse lecturer jobs enhanced by Erasmus networks.
Future Outlook: Negotiations and Next Steps
With MFF talks intensifying, the coalition pledges constructive input. Success hinges on Parliament/Council balancing ambitions vs. fiscal restraint. Optimism prevails—prior rounds doubled budgets. Long-term: Erasmus+ as pillar of European identity, talent retention.
Track developments via higher ed news. Institutions: Prepare via academic CV tips.
Why This Matters for Europe's Higher Education Landscape
Beyond mobility, amendments foster democratic values, innovation ecosystems. In uncertain times, Erasmus+ builds bridges. For jobs, explore higher ed jobs; rate experiences at Rate My Professor; career advice at Higher Ed Career Advice. Engage, apply, thrive—Europe's future mobility awaits.