The new Programme Erasmus + (2014-2020) aims to bring together various initiatives that were previously covered by other separate programmes: Lifelong Learning Programme, Youth in Action, Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa and Edulink, as well as activities in the new area of European competence, Sport.
Erasmus + will have a simpler and integrated structure. Up to 5 million people will benefit from grants in order to reinforce cooperation and transnational mobility opportunities. There will also be more funding for studying, training, teaching, best practice exchanges and volunteering opportunities abroad for students, professionals, interns, teachers, trainers and youth workers.
This programme will have 3 new elements:
A loan guarantee scheme for masters students to study abroad;
Knowledge Alliances that will involve partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses, that will promote creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as offer new opportunities of learning and qualification.
Sector Skills Alliances to promote partnerships between education and training institutions and businesses to create new and innovative educational formats.
The Programme will be divided into 3 key-actions:
Key-Action 1 – Learning mobility of individuals, supporting learning opportunities for citizens both from Europe and outside. This action will also include the creation of joint master degrees.
Key-Action 2 – Cooperation on innovation and good practices between educational institutions, youth organizations, businesses, local and regional authorities, fostering the development of innovative practices in education training and youth activities, as well as promoting employability, creativity and entrepreneurship
Key-Action 3 – Support for policy reform in Member-states and the cooperation with third countries. This new Programme will aim to support the European Union’s efforts to reach the goals set out by the Europe 2020 Strategy, in the areas of education and training. It also aims to financially support the measures and initiatives implemented or to be implemented, at European and national levels, in order to address the financial and economic crisis in Europe, as well as its consequences for the society, such as youth unemployment.
As has happened with previous programmes, Erasmus + will be managed by the national agencies of the participating countries.
For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all/
Information on the inter-institutional agreements between higher education institutions for the new Programme:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/20130719-erasmus-plus-preparation_en.htm
