The visual shows on the left side the title "Rethinking Erasmus+ Priorities, Inclusion and Global Impact 2028-2034 " and the subtitle: “ESN presents student and alumni perspectives on the next Erasmus+ programme". On the right there is a picture of three young people discussing.
Friday, 23 January, 2026 - 15:41

On 30 October 2025, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) took part in the input session of EESC SOC/842, contributing the perspective of Erasmus+ students and alumni on the future Erasmus+ Programme (2028–2034).

Building on The Future is Erasmus and insights from the XV ESNsurvey, ESN highlighted student and alumni concerns related to the horizontal priorities, financial scope, international dimension, and structural issues in Higher Education. The session addressed key documents: the interim evaluation of the 2021–2027 Erasmus+ programme, the final evaluation of the 2014–2020 programme, and the proposal for Erasmus+ 2028–2034. ESN’s contribution centred on improving inclusion and transparency, core needs expressed by students.

The new proposal
The evaluations of the 2014–2020 (final) and 2021–2027 (interim) Erasmus+ cycles highlight the programme’s significant contribution to promoting European values, quality education, and internationalisation, particularly through the European Universities Alliances. At the same time, they identify persistent structural barriers, especially in financial support and priority-setting, calling for more focus on skills development and European competitiveness.

The European Commission’s proposal for Erasmus+ 2028–2034 builds on recent policy agendas and seeks to strengthen the Union’s investment in human capital. It aims to nurture skills, reinforce European identity, and support social cohesion.
Key elements include:

  • Merge Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps into a single programme;
  • Emphasise skills development for a resilient and competitive Europe;
  • Reinforce inclusiveness through scholarships focused on STEM fields;
  • Simplify administrative procedures.

The ESN perspective on the New Erasmus+ Programme
Representing the Erasmus+ Students and Alumni perspective, Simone Lepore, President of ESN International, highlighted concerns regarding the future of the horizontal priorities, inclusion, and structural challenges within the programme. 

While skills development is vital, ESN emphasised that the horizontal priorities must remain central and receive continued support. The proposal lacks clarity in how priorities are set and risks reducing accountability and stakeholder involvement. Unpredictable funding shifts further undermine institutions’ ability to plan mobility projects aligned with the programme’s vision, showing the need for structural adjustments in priority-setting and budgeting.

Regarding the international dimension, ESN stressed the importance of maintaining strong global engagement beyond the EU. Partnerships such as Global Europe should keep education as a core focus, with clearer policies for integrating new associated partners and ensuring mobility remains transformative for students and society.

ESN also voiced concerns about the strong focus on STEM fields and the unclear scope of ‘Talent Scholarships’, which do not fully address structural barriers to inclusion. Issues such as academic rigidity and recognition obstacles limit the potential impact of mobility opportunities. ESN therefore reinforces the need for structural reforms, building on and improving existing measures rather than adding fragmented new initiatives.

From ESN’s intervention, the following recommendations were highlighted:

  • Strengthen the four horizontal priorities by setting clear, measurable targets to ensure continuity and meaningful implementation;
  • Restore transparency and accountability in programme governance by involving stakeholders and communicating priorities and budget decisions clearly;
  • Provide predictable, sector-specific budget allocations to support long-term planning and prevent institutions from experiencing disruptive funding shifts;
  • Reinforce the international dimension of Erasmus+ by involving associated countries in the co-design process and investing in capacity building to address global inequalities;
  • Address structural barriers in higher education through systemic reforms that improve recognition and promote interdisciplinarity, while removing obstacles in STEM fields and focusing on strengthening existing programmes rather than creating new ones.

ESN believes that the Erasmus+ Programme is fundamental to achieving the European Union’s ambitions and enhancing global competitiveness. However, its strength lies not only in its economic contributions, but also in its positive impact on students, who embody values such as democracy, tolerance, intercultural understanding and empathy - fostering European values and civic engagement. To remain adaptable, value-driven and competitive, the new Erasmus+ programme (2028-2034) must prioritise transparency, inclusion and continuity, thereby empowering young people to build a more united and resilient Europe.