European Parliament seeks €47 billion for Erasmus+ programme from 2028

The European Parliament is pushing for a larger budget and wider access under the next Erasmus+ programme for 2028–2034, with members of its Committee on Culture and Education calling for at least €47 billion in funding, compared with the €40.8 billion proposed by the European Commission.

In a report adopted on Sep 29, the committee proposed a budget of €47.38 billion in current prices. The recommendations will be considered by the full Parliament, which is scheduled to debate the proposal on Oct 21 and vote on Oct 22.

The proposed changes aim to make Erasmus+ more accessible to young people from different economic, social, geographical and cultural backgrounds. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) also want financial support to better reflect differences in living costs, housing prices, inflation and purchasing power between host countries, regions and cities.

How MEPs want to allocate the Erasmus+ budget

The committee has proposed earmarking 74.6% of the programme's funding for education and training, 15% for youth and volunteering, and 4.1% for sport. It has also called for clearer funding allocations across policy areas.

The proposed budget would cover the programme's activities in education, training, youth and sport. The European Commission's plan for 2028–2034 also envisages bringing the European Solidarity Corps, which supports volunteering and solidarity activities, into Erasmus+.

MEPs want this integration to preserve the visibility and accessibility of volunteering opportunities. They have also called for scholarships in strategic educational fields to be financed through additional resources or other EU programmes, rather than diverting money from Erasmus+'s core activities.

Focus on access and student support

The committee wants the next programme to do more to support participants who face barriers to educational and career opportunities. Its report proposes that at least 20% of mobility participants should be people with fewer opportunities.

The proposed changes also seek to address differences in the cost of studying or training abroad. By taking local living expenses, accommodation costs, inflation and purchasing power into account, the programme's financial support mechanisms could better reflect the circumstances participants face in different destinations.

Following the scheduled plenary debate and vote, the European Parliament will establish its position on the proposed programme. If MEPs adopt the position, Parliament can begin negotiations with the Council of the European Union on the programme's structure and budget.

The final funding level and rules will depend on the legislative process. The European Commission's €40.8 billion proposal and the committee's proposed €47.38 billion budget therefore represent competing positions at this stage, rather than a final allocation.