The Erasmus Student Network welcomes the decision of the European Commission to overhaul the support system for travel for all Erasmus+ participants for 2024. ESN considers this a significant step towards making the Erasmus+ programme more inclusive, more sustainable, and closer to achieving its priorities. ESN is pleased that the European Commission has introduced significant changes to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for 2024 and is confident that the improved travel support, which will be possible for everyone, will lead to significant shifts in the travel patterns of students.
ESN, with its longstanding advocacy for increased sustainable travel, recognises the importance of altering the travel behaviour of students to reduce the environmental impact of the Erasmus+ programme. A closer examination of the Green Erasmus Project and the XV ESNsurvey Preliminary results reveals that the inclusion of the green top was insufficient to meet the needs of students and the programme's sustainability goals.
In this perspective, the new funding mechanism is anticipated not only to contribute to the improvement of mobility quality but also to facilitate the green transformation of the programme, translating our aspirations for more quality mobility in 2024 into reality.
Additionally, ESN acknowledges the new categorisation of country groups, recognising the evolving reality that students currently face. The rise in inclusion support for organisations, from 100€ to 125€ per participant, is also duly noted. These two changes, along with the enhancement of travel support, represent positive steps in the right direction.
As the new year approaches and we set our sights on 2024, ESN believes that the creation of an Erasmus+ train ticket will be a valuable means to encourage students to fully utilise the support and promote sustainable measures during their journeys abroad. And with 2024, we must start to look to the new MFF budget and continuously advocate for more funding for the Erasmus+ Programme, ensuring the quality of mobility opportunities and its increase in participation.
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