WHAT IS ERASMUS+?
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. It runs for seven years, from 2014 to 2020, with organisations invited to apply for funding each year to undertake creative and worthwhile activities.
The program aims to make a positive change in Europe by offering learning and cooperation opportunities. Young people aged 13-30 and adults involved in their education can use the opportunities offered by Erasmus+. The program is structured in 3 key actions:
Key Action 1: Learning mobility opportunities for individuals, both young people and youth workers (Youth Exchanges, Training Courses, Seminars);
Key Action 2: Strategic partnerships aiming at innovation and quality and strengthening cooperation among different sectors and actors;
Key Action 3: Opportunities for young people to influence policy-making and reforms, by entering into dialogue with policy-makers.
For the next generation of the Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027), one of Parliament’s main objectives is that more young people take part in the different learning mobility schemes. It therefore proposes a detailed set of measures to lift all economic, social and cultural barriers.
Mobility of young people (Youth Exchanges)
Youth Exchanges allow groups of young people from at least two different countries to meet and live together for up to 21 days. During a Youth Exchange, participants, supported by group leaders, jointly carry out a work programme (a mix of workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, simulations, outdoor activities, etc.) designed and prepared by them before the Exchange. The learning process in Youth Exchanges is triggered by methods of non-formal education.
Mobility of Youth Workers
This activity supports the professional development of youth workers, through the implementation of activities such as transnational/international seminars, training courses, contact-making events, study visits, etc. or job shadowing/observation periods abroad in an organization active in the youth field. All these activities are arranged by the organizations participating in the project. The participation of youth workers in such activities contributes to capacity building of their organization and should have a clear impact on youth workers' daily work with young people. The learning outcomes should be further disseminated in the youth field.
