What is the Erasmus+ Programme?
Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020). The 2021-2027 programme strongly focuses on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also:
supports the European Pillar of Social Rights
implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027
develops the European dimension in sport
More information:
What is Erasmus+? | Erasmus+ (europa.eu)
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/about-erasmus/what-is-erasmus
How to take part?
First, you will need to check the specific action that you are interested in to see the criteria you should meet. Erasmus+ is a very wide programme, covering a diverse range of actions.
How you can take part depends broadly on two factors:
if you are applying by yourself or on behalf of an organisation
in which country you or your organisation is based
More information:
How to take part | Erasmus+ (europa.eu)
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/about-erasmus/how-to-take-part
How does Erasmus+ is managed?
The Erasmus+ programme is managed by the European Commission (the EU's executive body), the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), a series of National Agencies in Programme countries, and a series of National Offices in some Partner countries.
The European Commission: The European Commission handles the overall management of the programme, including:
managing the budget
setting the priorities
identifying the programme's targets and criteria
monitoring and guiding the implementation
follow-up and evaluation of the programme
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission is in charge of managing the "centralised" elements of the programme, including:
promoting the programme and opportunities
launching calls for proposals
reviewing grant requests
contracting and monitoring projects
communicating on results
The EACEA and Commission also carry out studies and research, as well as managing and financing the other bodies and networks supported by Erasmus+. Detailed information on the management of Erasmus+ is available in the Annual Work Programmes published by the European Commission.
The National Agencies: in the EU countries, the Commission entrusts much of the management of Erasmus+ to National Agencies. Outside the EU, and specifically in the field of higher education, this role is filled by the National Erasmus+ Offices. The Commission provides funding to the National Agencies, who use these funds to manage the programme's "decentralised" activities. This allows the Agencies to adapt the programme to suit their national education, training, and youth systems. The National Agencies are responsible for:
providing information on the programme
reviewing applications submitted in their country
monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the programme in their country
supporting people and organisations taking part in Erasmus+
promoting the programme and its activities at a local and national level
These Agencies also support beneficiaries of the programme from the application stage to the end of a project. They also work with beneficiaries and other organisations to support EU policy in areas supported by the programme.
National Erasmus+ Offices: Outside the EU, in the partner countries participating in Erasmus+ in the area of higher education, much of the work of the National Agencies is carried out by National Erasmus+ Offices. These offices are the focal point for anyone intending to take part in Erasmus+, and are responsible for:
providing information on the programme and who can take part
advising and assisting potential applicants
monitoring Erasmus+ projects
supporting policy dialogue, studies, and events
maintaining contacts with experts and local authorities
monitoring policy developments
Erasmus to Erasmus+: history, funding and future
More information:
Erasmus to Erasmus+: history, funding and future | Erasmus+ (europa.eu)
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/about-erasmus/history-funding-and-future
More information:
How to take part | Erasmus+ (europa.eu)
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/about-erasmus/how-to-take-part