Blog

Our Latest Blogs

garagErasmus Annual Meeting 2026: co-creating the future of mobility

garagErasmus at the OCEANS Conference in Stockholm

which took place in Stockholm on 20–21 June. It was a valuable opportunity for us to reconnect, reflect and reimagine what we can achieve as a network.

This event was more than just a formal gathering; it was a true moment of exchange and shared vision. We focused on key themes such as employability, cultural exchange and international collaboration, discussing how international experiences can boost employability, build intercultural skills and strengthen global collaboration.

The active involvement of ESAA’s sister organisations strengthened the collective message: we are building a stronger, more inclusive and impactful network.

A powerful reminder from this meeting: mobility isn’t just movement: it’s transformation.

Erasmag is officially out!

You can follow the work of our reporters on our social pages Instagram and TikTok.

The project is promoted by garagErasmus, University of Pavia and Gruppo SAE.

Our Network Manager, Carlo Bitetto, has presented ErasMAG to the EC2U Alliance, that is gathering at the University of Pavia.

The European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual Alliance consisting of eight universities from diverse regions of the European Union: the Universidade de Coimbra, the Gheorghe Asachi​ Technical University of Iași, the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, the Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, the Università degli Studi di Pavia, the Université de Poitiers (Coordinator), the University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca) and the Turun yliopisto – University of Turku.

How to include, not only Erasmus, but also PhD students in the ErasMAG project, has been one of the topics discussed by the alliance.

Stay tuned for the press conference presenting the project, to be held at the University of Pavia on 14 October 2025!

#erasmag #erasmus #university #universityofpavia

Echo-Cultures: Tips for an Eco-Friendly Summer (Sustainable tourism edition)

Dreaming of a greener holiday? Start with these easy tips:

1. Respect culture and people

Every place has its own customs, and it’s always best to know them and show respect.

It’s a great idea to learn a few basic words in the local language.

2. Support local businesses

When you travel, choose local shops, guides and activities.

It helps the local economy while preserving the character of the place.

3. Use sustainable transports

Choose the most sustainable transport options, like public transport, whenever you can.

This reduces CO2 emissions and helps minimize the poor air quality that comes with mass tourism.

Let’s travel responsibly and leave a positive footprint this summer!

See the project

garagErasmus Participates in the EMA General Assembly 2025 in Paris

The two-day Assembly gathered representatives from across Europe and beyond for a dynamic programme of plenary discussions, thematic workshops, and collaborative strategy sessions. Topics ranged from sustainable leadership and diversity in mobility to innovative alumni engagement and cross-organizational cooperation.

garagErasmus contributed actively to the dialogue, sharing its vision for empowering the Erasmus Generation and deepening its longstanding commitment to supporting international talent. The Foundation highlighted the importance of synergy among ESAA partners and the need for strategic partnerships that can foster sustainable and inclusive mobility ecosystems.

By participating in the EMA General Assembly, garagErasmus reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for international cooperation and as a dedicated advocate for the values of Erasmus: openness, opportunity, and unity in diversity.

garagErasmus launches two new Focus Group within his network

On the occasion of the 2024 Higher Education European Networking Summit and in collaboration with the European Commission, garagErasmus established two new Focus Groups.

The first is a Policy Focus Group composed of two members from the garagErasmus Secretariat, five representatives from gE4 local communities, and five representatives from higher education institutions (HEIs). This group will be responsible for shaping, promoting, and implementing strategic initiatives that support the organization’s mission to enhance educational outcomes across Europe.

The second is a Focus Group on European Universities Alliances which will be established to explore the functioning and impact of European Universities. It’s objective is to provide the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) with reliable insights into the real-world operations of these institutions. The group will examine how mobility budgets are allocated within standard university agreements and alliances, and assess the influence of being part of a European University Alliance on funding evaluations by National Agencies (NAs). This work aims to support evidence-based decision-making and improve policy implementation across the European Higher Education landscape.

 Multiplier events realized in Brussels

The two events took place at the representation of the Regione Lombardia in the morning, and at the office of the Académie d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES) in the evening. The two occasions brought together a diverse audience representing various institutions, universities, associations, and companies coming from all over Europe.

On the occasion, Martina Altea Bellinzona showcased the results of the BRIGHTS Project to the audience. During her presentation, she gave an insight, elucidating the project’s objectives, and outlining the steps undertaken by the project partners to achieve them. Participants gained valuable insights into the methodologies employed and the research results, anticipating the forthcoming final conference of the BRIGHTS project.

See the project

garagErasmus 2024 Annual Meeting in Brussels

The event was an opportunity to strengthen the links between our engaged partners (institutions, Higher Education Institutions, partner associations, and local chapters) and institutional stakeholders, which were represented by over 50 participants.

This year, we saw the presence of representatives from the European Commission. Vito Borrelli, DG EAC Team Leader – Higher Education / Erasmus+, discussed the ongoing evaluation process of the Erasmus+ programme and its potential future implications. Hélène Banegas, Project Adviser – Erasmus+ International Alumni, introduced the discussion on the future of the ESAA network, of which garagErasmus is a founder. Céline Jambon, policy officer in the “Skills Agenda” Unit of the European Commission (DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion), closed the European Year of Skills and discussed future action points.

Day 1 – Monday, 13th of May

The event kicked off with a presentation by Fabrizio Bitetto, CEO and President of the garagErasmus Foundation, that gave an overview of the year’s activities, highlighting the addition of new gE4s, as well as the engagement of existing gE4s in various initiatives. He discusses key events and projects, including the Learning Garage and the Annual Meeting, along with participation in prominent events.

Vito Borrelli, DG EAC Team Leader – Higher Education / Erasmus+ from the European Commission discussed the ongoing evaluation of the Erasmus+ programme, highlighting efforts to improve its effectiveness and address emerging challenges. He elaborated on budgetary considerations, mobility initiatives, and strategies for promoting inclusion. Attendees engaged in a dialogue, raising questions and sharing insights on topics such as accommodation and support for disadvantaged groups.

Carlo Bitetto, gE Network Manager, introduced ErasMag, a new online platform designed for the Erasmus Generation. This platform will enable students to write articles about their experiences abroad, effectively becoming “Erasmus correspondents.” The project, developed in collaboration with Gruppo SAE, is set to launch in the coming months.

Later on, representatives from gE4Orense, gE4Cordoba and gE4Varna highlighted their activities and initiatives, showcasing successful practices within the garagErasmus network.

Participants shared proposals for enhancing collaboration and communication within the garagErasmus community, emphasizing strategic planning, resource sharing, and the creation of operational teams.

Day 2 – Tuesday, 14th of May

 The day started with a presentation by Toñi Caro, Chair of the Quality Assurance Board, which provided insights into the 2023 Quality Assurance Report, detailing gE’s objectives, financial allocations, and ongoing initiatives. She outlined the board’s tasks for the year and presented key performance indicators.

After her presentation, Martina Altea Bellinzona and Nunzia Di Francesco highlighted two projects, BRIGHTS and Digital Life Learning, showcasing their objectives, methodologies, and outcomes. Attendees engaged in discussions and posed questions about project implementation.

Later, participants discussed new project proposals, focusing on collaboration opportunities, outreach strategies, and operational planning. Ideas were exchanged for enhancing gE’s impact and expanding its network.

Carlo Bitetto presented upcoming meetings and events organized by garagErasmus, including capacity-building sessions and networking summits. He encouraged participation and engagement in future activities.

Representants members of ESAA (garagErasmus, OCEANS, ASAF, ESN and EMA) started a discussion about the alliance’s future, focusing on different topics, such as collaboration possibilities, benefits of being part of the network, and possible improvements.

The garagErasmus Annual Meeting was a unique opportunity for gE members and stakeholders to connect, fostering dialogue and collaboration. It also served as a reminder to all attendees of the importance of being active within the network and maintaining enthusiasm for its current opportunities.

Further information about 2024 Annual Meeting
2024 Annual Meeting Gallery

The final report for strategic up-skilling and reskilling has been published!

Due to its engagement in lifelong learning and in education, the garagErasmus foundation is pleased to share the report with you.

The report gives an insight into the significance of strategic investments in human capital to drive economic growth, achieve sustainability goals, and mitigate social disparities, focusing on up-skilling and reskilling actions to build a European skills economy.

Through a comprehensive study conducted during one year across 39 countries, the report identifies common partners and trends in skills and highlights different approaches for up-skilling and reskilling, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors, lifelong learning, and green skills’ integration.

Read the “Pact for Skills”

BRIGHTS guidelines on sustainability education are out!

highlighting the critical importance of implementing innovative approaches across European universities. The project partners collaboratively developed these guidelines, analyzing data obtained from a comprehensive questionnaire distributed among various EU member states, and subsequently through a workshop held at the University of Pavia. The combined research methodology allowed for obtaining a holistic view of current teaching practices, evaluating readiness for innovation, and identifying major challenges, obstacles, and opportunities within European higher education institutions.

Read the guidelines
See the project

Digital Life Learning: student trainings continue in Athens with People Behind

The training was in collaboration with a vocational center in Athens – SVIE – with whom People Behind had already collaborated in the past. Through innovative exercises and games, trainers were able to understand how younger people perceive old age, and in turn, were able to teach techniques and methods to better approach individuals aged 65 and above, delve into their needs and integrate them into the digital world.

Throughout the training sessions, People Behind gathered useful information and experiences, that will go to the other partners of the project to improve the level of education for trainers of older individuals at a European level.

The training will be followed by the training for older people by the young students, which will take place in the next few weeks in Kypseli Municipal Market. 

gE Director of Secretariat Valentina Presa attends the event Inspiring Young Europeans organized by Fondation Hippocrène

The event was held at the Paris City Hall, and during the event our director of Secretariat assisted to the cerimony awards of the three winners of the Prix IYE. The contest aim is to support French associations in their expansion process, in order to increase their impact, their visibility, their financing and their creativity. The three associations which won the contest now have the opportunity to meet and exchange best practices with different members and partners from Fondation Hippocrène.

We are grateful to have been invited to the cerimony award and to have had the opportunity to represent garagErasmus Foundation.

Meet gE4Bucharest & its Summer Mentorship programme!

All three co-founders are certified eduk8ers, they were used to organizing training events, workshops and they loved in-person interactions. But… a global pandemics happened. So they had to adapt. This article is an interview with all there and it is meant to inspire and motivate other gE cites to share their knowledge and experience with their communities.

Serena: Tell us about the Mentorship Summer Program that you implemented after the COVID-19 pandemics started.

Miruna: So our idea was to organize online mentorship sessions on topics that are familiar to each of us. My month was July and my beloved topic is forever and always entrepreneurship. I went for a 1to1 format and my mentee was Francisca, an amazing ESN member from ESN Unibucharest. The sessions were very personalized so we adapted the agenda for each meeting according to the questions and curiosities that better fit Francisca’s needs. We talked about finding your ikigai, your purpose in life. Then we built together a lean canvas for Francisca’s dream job and we went deeper into real-life steps of opening a company. In the last session, we actually celebrated the progress and we had some guests to share with us their experiences and personal stories. It was an incredible adventure for me and now I will let my colleagues tell you about theirs. But let’s see also what Francisca has to say about it:

“This mentorship programme has been a great chance to do some introspection and get to grips with how to start an entrepreneurial journey. The one to one sessions were really practical and my mentor provided me valuable knowledge and insights about the main steps on how to start a business. Miruna inspired me and showed me that there are other alternatives for “9 to 6 life”. You just have to be determined, learn and work for your dream as much as possible.” (Francisca, July Mentee)

Serena: What about August? Who’s month was it?

Diana: For me, the mentoring sessions held in August were one hell of a ride. Together with Alexandra, a member of ESN Cluj-Napoca, we dove into the basics of social media and digital marketing. This mentorship is very close to my heart, as both me and Alexandra come from similar backgrounds. We discovered we’re from the exact same small town in Romania and majored in the same area at university, so for me it was easier to mentor her, since I had a similar path, both educationally and volunteering-wise. As her primary goal was to understand what marketing was all about, we started with a broad presentation of it, from social media, to content and even a bit of digital marketing. I put together a list of resources for her to use further along: courses she can take up, people she can follow or newsletters she can subscribe to. We also talked about ikigai and how to find her purpose in life and she took a personality test. We finished the mentorship sessions with an online ceremony for Alexandra, together with my gE4Bucharest team members.

Here I can quote some of Andreea’s thoughts: The mentorship with gE4Bucharest was an amazing learning opportunity that allowed me to get some insights from the digital marketing and social media world and managed to spark my interest for this field even more. I am also very grateful to have met Diana who did a great job with our sessions and with whom I discovered to have many things in common. It was definitely one of the best highlights of the summer. (Andreea, August Mentee)

Serena: Wow! It really sounds like an intense experience. I think it was an incredible experience for you as well, as much as it was for Alexandra. What about you, Dora? I heard that your format was quite different from the ones chosen by the other girls.

Dora: For me, the September month of the Mentorship Program was a learning experience as well, considering that I had the chance to also try something new. During the past years, I understood one of the most important things is to know how to ask yourself the questions that will help you find your path. I think most of the people already had, or will have a point in their career when they feel lost, whether it is right at the start or later on. I chose to focus on career mentorship, because I had the feeling that, during my experience as a trainer, I learned more about the importance of asking the right questions, of introspection and self-assessment. We’ve been 4 young people who discussed about their fears, but also about what they are proud of. We took our time to answer questions about ourselves, but also to check what is suitable for us on the job market, following the new discoveries we’ve made. Now I am just looking forward to seeing how my three mentees will reach the stars.

As one of the participants said: This mentorship program has helped me go through a challenging time in my professional life. As a student who just finished their bachelor and chose to opt out of a master’s degree, while focusing on my internship, I was going through a lot of self doubt at the time. Choosing to take the time to participate in this program has helped me understand what I am good at, why the job I have is actually fit for me and how to learn to avoid the impostor syndrome related to my professional life. It also helped me reconsider my professional course and understand what steps I should take and what options I have along the way so that I would achieve success and get a job that would allow me to have a content and peaceful living. I would like to thank Dora and gE4Bucharest for the time and dedication to the program. It has helped me a lot and I wish there will be further installments of it so that more people can benefit from this mentorship. (Stefan, September mentee)

Of course, Octavia added her perspective on this activity: After a study mobility for one year in Bratislava and a couple of months of lockdown, I was completely lost. So this mentorship programme came as a breath of fresh air. Back then I was really in doubt about my future and what I am actually good at. I think the most important thing when participating in such projects is to be as open as possible, because it’s a pity to waste such an opportunity.

I would like to stress out also that the programme not only made me discover some hidden interests of mine, but also gave me the context to hear some motivational stories. In the end, you realise that not everything has to be black or white and that you are not the only one trying to find the right shade of grey. (Octavia, September mentee)

Serena: Thank you very much for your input, girls! I can notice that both you and the participants really enjoyed the experience and it is totally a thing all gE cites should try!

Would you like to know more about gE4Bucharest? Watch the video below!

RUDN University interviews garagErasmus Director Carlo Bitetto

Watch this online discussion between Carlo Bitetto, Director of the garagErasmus Foundation and the Erasmus+ project coordinator at RUDN University (Moscow) Mario de Martino on the occasion of the #ErasmusDays2020.

gE4Silesia organises the Katowice Internationals World Cup 2020

The Katowice Internationals World Cup is the flagship event of the Katowice Internationals Foundation. This yearly event has the goal of promoting social inclusion and diversity through sport and multicultural integration in Silesia and Poland.

As a novelty this year, participants will have the chance to know the 20 participating countries a little bit better before the game. Their teams have made themselves known through their captains with a series of personal interviews to each one and with the objective to promote this big event that will have place on 17-18 October. 

You will find these videos on Katowice Internationals Foundation Facebook page. In addition as another novelty, we will celebrate this beautiful party in the amazing Stadion Śląski. Therefore, there is not excuse to not come this year!

The event is co-founded by ESAA and European Commission, with patronage by garagErasmus Foundation and Save The Dream.

garagErasmus moves to a new office in Brussels

The new office is easily accessible by metro (Maelbeek station) and bus (Trêves stop, lines 21, 27 & 64). Feel free to drop by our office, we will be pleased to welcome you & have a coffee.

Konstantinos Maragkos (gE4Athens): “My community is the world”

he spoke passionately about the unique circumstances in which his garagErasmus story began. Konstantinos was the inaugural winner of the garagErasmus Laissez-Passer- a prize of 3000€ which can be invested into international projects. “How could my place within the garagErasmus community have started better?” he exclaimed.  

Konstantinos used the money to develop the WeAfriHug project with his team. The project, born from interacting with the inspiring people Konstantinos met on his travels across Sub-Saharan Africa, works by providing opportunities and resources to improve the lives of young African people. “Passion was there, willingness was there, potential was there…but opportunities and information were not!” he explained. For the past 2 years, his team has worked endlessly to deliver life skills seminars, an educational camp, and civil organisation training sessions across eight African countries. 

Through education, WeAfriHug successfully fosters the relationship between Europe and Africa. They have created eight partnerships between African and European universities and six between African and European NGOs. Additionally, they have already organised multiple Erasmus+ mobility opportunities for young African people in Greece.   

So, what can we expect from gE4 Athens in the new year? On top of further developments of the We AfriHug project, gE4 Athens are cooperating with ESAA organisations to implement a new project, #MindtheGap, which aims to empower the Greek youth to act as advocates for the European Union. The key objectives of this ambitious project are…

  1. To raise awareness of Erasmus+ and to inform youth about mobility opportunities, 
  2. To boost the capabilities of youth by providing the necessary tools for the 21st century, 
  3. To engage policy makers to support Youth Action.

Speaking as a true global citizen, Konstantinos explained: ‘My community is the world. I am not only concerned about the place that I was born and raised but for the world as a whole.” 

Well done gE4 Athens! Keep up the good work. We could not be prouder!

Interview with Gev Harutyunyan

Gev spoke very fondly about the beginning of his garagErasmus story; “the day I became part of garagErasmus is very crucial to me; it opened up many opportunities. I soon realised there is a long way ahead with gE.” Gev was a finalist in the first edition of the Laissez-Passer. Although his proposal did not win, he was encouraged to establish the first gECity beyond EU borders and aim to implement his project anyway.

gE4Yerevan’s primary mission is to empower youths to achieve new professional and educational heights. They support young people by providing the necessary information about professional, cultural and educational development opportunities on both local and international scales.

This project, the Edu VanHub, was inspired by what Gev noticed during a separate outreach project carried out across rural Armenia. “I found out that young people living in rural areas are pretty much isolated; they are unaware of many opportunities which exist in education, art and culture” he explained. On returning home, Gev was determined to transform this bleak reality and, so, the Edu VanHub was born.

During the pilot phase of the project, 20 media workshops were conducted across 10 villages in rural Armenia. These workshops allow gE4 Yerevan to raise awareness of the mobility opportunities available and teach new skills. The results have been fantastic: seven participants now create video blogs; four were able to access a photography course for free; four now write media articles; and two have volunteered in gE4 Yerevan’s partner organisations.  Now, they also work online to maintain contact with those they have met and update them on new opportunities. 

In order to disseminate the vision, story and ideology of the Edu VanHub, gE4 Yerevan have so far travelled to six European countries. Now, gE4 Yerevan are implementing the Edu VanHub international phase in Ukraine; “We are super motivated to continue expanding the scale of the Edu VanHub project. The source of our motivation is the constant stream of positive feedback we receive from participants, parents, local authorities and the media.” They also plan to get involved in Erasmus+ youth exchange and ESC projects in the future.

Excellent work gE4 Yerevan! We wish you the best of luck for 2020! 

garagErasmus’ Annual Meeting 2024 to take place on 13-14 May

As every year, the event represents the perfect opportunity to strengthen the links between our partner foundations (universities, companies and local associations), to promote our work to our institutional stakeholders (National Agencies, European Parliament and European Commission) and to build new perspectives for the future of international students, trainees and young professionals.

Together with the National Agency for Erasmus+ en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and ESN Belgium, we will also celebrate the end of the European Year of Skills, gathering professionals and testimonies by Erasmus+ students alike in a public conference, discussing the importance of soft skills and the new but impending need to properly validate them in today’s job market. 

Fabrizio Bitetto nominated as new President of garagErasmus

On 8 September in Malta, during the Annual Meeting 2023 of garagErasmus Foundation, Fabrizio Bitetto has been announced to be the next Board President of garagErasmus Foundation. Graduated in Urban Planning and Policy Design at the Polytechnic University in Milan in 2013, he was an Erasmus Student in Madrid in 2008.

Mr Bitetto has been Chief Executive Officer of garagErasmus Foundation since August 2017. During this period the Foundation has grown a lot, with more than 25 Universities Foundation members and 30 local associations all over the world.

Over the years he has played various important roles; for the 30 years of the Erasmus project he was appointed as Italy’s representative for the preparation of the “Erasmus + Generation Declaration” at European level. He launched many of the initiatives that today represent the Foundation at European level.

Another important appointment has gone to Carl Björkman, the new Chairman of the High Level Council of garagErasmus, an advisory forum that supports the development and promotion of the initiatives of the Foundation. Mr Björkman, already a member of garagErasmus board, is Head of Nordics at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to that, he worked with the World Economic Forum, where he was Director and Head of International Organisations and Government Affairs. He has also worked for Bloomberg, Waterberry Development Organisation, the United Nations, and the European Commission.

garagErasmus XI Annual Meeting 2023: more mobility for a better Europe

The garagErasmus XI Annual Meeting, held at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) University, kicked off with an insightful public conference in line with the European Year of Skills. Moderated by Carlo Bitetto, Network Manager of garagErasmus Foundation, the conference set the stage for a series of keynote presentations.

Francesco Cappè, President of garagErasmus Foundation, took the audience through the history of the organisation, underlining its commitment to promoting greater mobility, supporting a more open and integrated Europe, and introduced Fabrizio Bitetto as the next President of the Board.

Hon. Clifton Grima, Minister for Education and Sport, Malta, led a profound discussion on competences, emphasising the need for both practical competences and ethical values to be European citizens. He stressed that Erasmus and garagErasmus have a crucial role to play in developing these competences and values.

Charles Zammit, Chairman of Education Malta, spoke about Malta’s role as a prominent Erasmus destination and its commitment to supporting international education. He spoke about the Year of Skills and the opportunities it offers young people.

Tatjana Chircop, Deputy Principal Administration, MCAST, presented MCAST’s ambitious growth and wide range of courses.

David Fernandez Puyana, Permanent Observer of the United Nations University for Peace, spoke about the role of education in promoting mutual respect, understanding and peace. He stressed that Erasmus opens up new opportunities and plays a crucial role in conflict prevention.

Rose Anne Cuschieri, CEO of Malta Further & Higher Education Authority, presented guidelines for the recognition of non-formal education in Malta, the expansion and quality assurance of higher education in Malta and the value of informal learning. Both her organisation and garagErasmus share a common goal: the recognition of non-formal and work-based learning.

The conference concluded with the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding between garagErasmus and the SAE Group, represented by Alberto Leonardis, head of the SAE Group, which marks a joint effort to give voice to the Erasmus generation through an ambitious editorial project.

Another important MoU was signed shortly after, when garagErasmus Foundation was pleased to welcome the city of Baku in its network of gE4Cities with the representative Elmar Guliyev, marking the creation of gE4Baku. 

The day also included the presentation of the garagErasmus Annual Report and Work Plan, followed by an interactive Q&A session. Discussions focused on strengthening the network and shaping the future of garagErasmus, including a thought-provoking discussion with Mr Evarist Bartolo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Minister of Education, Malta. Mr Bartolo emphasised that addressing the skills gap should include a focus on values and ethics, as a narrow definition of skills is insufficient to address the significant challenges facing the EU.

Day 2  Friday, 8 September

The second day of the garagErasmus XI Annual Meeting started with the presentation of garagErasmus guests and gE4s, and continued with discussions on ErasmusCity and student housing. gE’s new president Fabrizio Bitetto and Maria Teresa Gullace, Researcher at Politecnico di Milano and project manager of Home Of Mobile Europeans project, looked at the challenges and opportunities associated with student accommodation, an often underestimated but crucial aspect of international student life.

Maria Teresa highlighted the fundamental need for affordable and quality housing solutions for mobile students and stressed the importance of policies and regulations as the first approach to consider when addressing student accommodation. The role of universities in bridging the gap between students and the housing market was a key point of discussion. Participants also explored ways in which universities can work with associations that help students find suitable accommodation. The day concluded with discussions on gE’s mission, upcoming campaigns, sharing of best practice and plans for future meetings.

In conclusion, the garagErasmus XI annual meeting served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, cooperation and sharing of best practices in international education. It brought together gE members, educators, policy makers and Erasmus alumni who are committed to promoting international education and fostering a more integrated Europe. As garagErasmus looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to empower the Erasmus generation and shape the future of international education.

See the gallery

garagErasmus’ next Annual Meeting will be in Malta

Together with our members from all over Europe, we’ll celebrate the Year of Skills 2023.

On  7-8 September, we will give the opportunity to discuss the importance of this Alliance in the lives of young working people.

The event is the perfect opportunity to strengthen the links between our partner organisations (universities, companies and local organisations) and to present our work to our institutional stakeholders (NAs, European Parliament and European Commission).

To find out more

garagErasmus Annual Meeting 2022 in Florence

The annual meeting of garagErasmus took place in Florence from the 8th to the 10th of May 2022, during the occasion we also celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+  programme and the 10 years of the Foundation!
Almost 100 people representing institutions, universities, partner associations, local chapters and Erasmus students and Alumni gathered to celebrate the 10 years of the garagErasmus Foundation.

Annual Meeting 2022

May 08th – 10th

Florence, Italy.

The festival of Europe offered the perfect scenario to grow and showcase garagErasmus network activities, to present its annual work to institutional interest groups and to create new opportunities for the future of the Erasmus Generation.

In fact, the aim of the event was to create stronger ties among our partners and share ideas and information about ongoing projects.  garagErasmus’ annual report highlighted both the flagship projects, such as the plus of Erasmus and the EU funded projects garagErasmus is currently working on, such as Handshake, SustainEu, Brights and EDU2030: Youth in Transition. Moreover, garagErasmus team was also glad to share with its members the developments of its new flagship project gEcity currently under construction in Milan and its ambitious plan to scale up the project by opening 5 new gEcity in the next decade.

Special attention was drawn to the final conference of the Euthpages for Europe project funded by the European Parliament where gE hosted EU representatives and young ambassadors to present the results of 25 local events held all around Europe and to discuss how to give continuity to the impact of the Cofoe and to keep shaping the future of Europe together.

During the open discussion, participants stressed the importance of strengthening synergies among our network to actively involve universities and existing local chapters and to reach out to new potential members.

We therefore decided to open a space for cooperation and collaboration organised in three working groups that will work together in the following months on three core European issues such as Youth civic Engagement, the future of EU Job Market and the Digital Transformation of EU Education. The working groups will allow our members to meet regularly and exchange expertise and knowledge to eventually create future projects together.

Furthermore, some of the most motivated youngsters of the Erasmus students and Alumni Incubator volunteered to open new g4s in Europe and beyond. gE4 Budapest, gE4 Tiblisi, gE4 Wroclaw and gE4Tirana will soon enter garagErasmus members network!

The attendees could also share some ideas on garagErasmus’ role within the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA)  in order to work together on grants and EU projects and. Friends of gE and partner organisations such as Centro Studi Internazionali (CSI), Europiamo, Scambi Europei, Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and Organisation for Cooperation and Exchange And Networking among Students (OCEANS) also shared their work and plans for future cooperation.

The annual meeting was also the occasion to celebrate, together with the Italian national agency INDIRE, the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme. Throughout Sunday we welcomed several students and children to our stand in Piazza della Repubblica promoting the Erasmus Programme and its exchange opportunities. On Monday morning we attended INDIRE’s Conference on the success stories of the Erasmus programme.

The conference has been a success for garagErasmus as well, as the Major of Firenze Dario Nardella directly engaged in a long and inspiring conversation with our Erasmus students and alumni.

Annual Meeting Gallery

Our EUTH Pages project will be officially closed on May 9th in the framework of the celebration of the Festival of Europe.

Join us and get to know the ideas and experiences of our young people to build together the future of Europe.

We are happy to announce that from the 8th to the 10th of May, a group of successful Erasmus students will have the chance meet highly qualified Erasmus Alumni and young professionals within a 3-day training incubator.

The project is supported by the European Commission through The Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance.

garagErasmus holds its Annual Meeting 2019 in Malaga

  • During the event Orsolya Réka Süli was recognised as the best talent of the Erasmus Generation (Golden Laissez-Passer). Her project, seeking to address the climate impact of our daily purchases, will develop a database gathering information on the environmental impact of a wide range of food products.

During the Annual meeting participants stressed the importance of synergies between universities, companies, cities and associations to improve the career of young professionals. Furthermore, it was the perfect scenario to strengthen links among garagErasmus network members, to present its annual work to institutional interest groups (National Agencies and European institutions) and to create new opportunities for the future of the Erasmus Generation.

In fact, the aim of the event was to create stronger links among our partners and share ideas and information about ongoing projects. Participants to the meeting were mainly representatives of European universities, young entrepreneurs and members of our network.

garagErasmus’ annual report and last year’s flagship projects, such as the International Talents Match or Laissez-Passer of the Erasmus Generation, were presented during the meeting, as well as the funded projects by the European Commission garagErasmus is currently working on, such as Erasmus Vote Power, SEND, EYVOL or IYE-LABS.

The attendees could also share some ideas on garagErasmus’ role as Erasmus Alumni network in order to work together on grants and EU projects and the next generation of the Erasmus+ programme.

The work of Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) member organisations -Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), Erasmus Student Network (ESN), Organisation for Cooperation and Exchange And Networking among Students (OCEANS)- and EuGen, among others, was also analysed.

The Golden Laissez-Passer award

The Laissez Passer award recognises with a symbolic passport European talents who have relevant mobility experiences – study or work -. Its winners are provided with benefits and opportunities in their professional careers.

On this occasion, Orsolya Réka Süli was the winner of the Golden Laissez Passer 2019 among all  the 600 projects presented on our platform. She will receive €3,000 to develop her idea.

Her project seeks to address the climate impact of our daily purchases by developing a database that will gather information on the environmental impact of a wide range of food products.

Orsolya also wants to develop a consumer solution to provide actionable information to consumers. She strongly believes that this experience will further equip her with necessary research experience in environmental issues, as well as grow my network of researchers.

These were the other 5 finalists who attended the meeting. We would like to congratulate them all for their outstanding projects:

  • Ioannis Ladeas, with his idea is to implement the project “Traveling for change” and create a short documentary film (documentary) focusing on how the EU, and particularly the Erasmus+ programme, is empowering refugees living in Europe.
  • Mahsa Samadi’s “Uccello” project seeks to create a unique platform for students who study abroad can meet the inquirires from local citizens in order to get some jobs.
  • Carolle Audrey Madiesse Lafo’s project to create a platform to facilitating Erasmus students to access a well-defined Learning Agreement. This platform will include the departments and courses studied in Erasmus countries divided into semesters, credits and if possible a timetable and the availability of the course.
  • Roberto Luca Saldi’s project to organize a campaign involving the Erasmus generation over the fight against Climate change with a two-day training: including debates with key stakeholders, to shape an Erasmus Green Act. 27 Erasmus talent will be selected, to build the Act and then spread it.
  • Federica La Mastra’s project is to create an online community to empower artists and create opportunities for theis success, a specialised platform for artists to connect with each other and showcase their work to others.

About garagErasmus Foundation

garagErasmus Foundation was founded in 2012 as the creative hub of the Erasmus Generation with the mission of improving the lives of people who had international study or work experiences by enabling them to access opportunities that can make their careers more impactful for the European Community. garagErasmus currently has 18 local associations (gE4Cities) and 30 member universities.

During its seven years of life garagErasmus has promoted initiatives such as the aforementioned Laissez Passer, speed networking sessions (“Talents Match”) or the online platform weTipp, where former Erasmus students, companies, universities, local authorities and associations can meet to share opportunities and promote joint initiatives.
​
garagErasmus is supported by the main institutions in Europe. Every year the European Commission invites 250,000 former Erasmus students to register on its online platform.

garagErasmus launches two new Focus Group within his network

garagErasmus Staff Meeting in Milan

During these two days, communication and project team members from the Milan, Vicenza, and Brussels offices came together to discuss and exchange views on the foundation’s current priorities, future strategies, and ongoing projects.

Together, we reviewed ongoing initiatives, explored new formats and ideas for social media content, and discussed how to further engage our audiences across Europe.

It was a valuable opportunity to bring together different perspectives, strengthen internal collaboration, and reinforce our vision.

Finally, the meeting included a visit to Ponte Lambro, an inspiring neighborhood in Milan, full of energy, potential, and new opportunities. It’s a place you’ll hear more about in the near future, so stay tuned, news is yet to come!

garagErasmus joins Pact of Skills initiative

This partnership strengthens the Foundation’s mission to support upskilling and reskilling, helping individuals and organizations navigate the green and digital transitions.

The Pact for Skills connects public and private entities, providing access to valuable resources such as insights into skill development needs, funding guidance, and networking opportunities. As a member, garagEasmus commits to fostering lifelong learning, building partnerships, aligning training with market demands, and promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Through this collaboration, the Foundation will benefit from EU-supported platforms like the Networking Hub, Knowledge Hub, and Guidance Hub, ensuring access to tools, best practices, and funding opportunities. This marks a significant step in garagEasmus’ ongoing efforts to enhance education, mobility, and career development across Europe.

garagErasmus Foundation welcomes the European Commission’s initiatives towards a european degree

This momentous stride towards the conception of a European degree represents a significant leap forward in our collective European educational journey, building on the solid foundation laid by the Erasmus program—the pioneering European Union project that recognized studies abroad and facilitated a common framework for higher education.

As an organization deeply committed to promoting study mobility and its profound impact on the workforce and job market within Europe, garagErasmus Foundation has been an advocate for such advancements from the very beginning of its story. The introduction of a European degree is a crucial development that we believe will greatly facilitate worker mobility across Europe, meeting the evolving demands of the labour market and making graduates more attractive to prospective employers. This initiative will not only enhance the competitiveness of European higher education on the global stage but also significantly improve the learning mobility and transversal skills of students within the EU.

garagErasmus Foundation is particularly enthused by the proposed European degree policy lab supported by the Erasmus+ programme, set to be established in 2025. This initiative will play a pivotal role in engaging Member States and the higher education community in developing guidelines towards the realization of a European degree, facilitating seamless cooperation between institutions across borders.

We commend the European Commission’s commitment to simplifying and improving quality assurance processes and practices, and to automatic recognition of university degrees across the EU. These steps are essential for fostering trust, accountability, and the performance of universities, making the European degree a reality.

As garagErasmus Foundation, we remain steadfast in our dedication to supporting all European policies aimed at enhancing study mobility and workforce integration within Europe. We will continue to work diligently towards making the vision of a European degree a reality, contributing to a more integrated, innovative, and inclusive European higher education area.

The European Education Area: leading the EU to educational excellence!

 In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, the EU is resetting its growth strategy, based on sustainability, and the green and digital transitions as transformative drivers. But… How can educational institutions & governments act as levers for a change?

The European Education Area aims at structuring collaboration between Member States and stakeholders to build more resilient and inclusive national education systems. Nevertheless, unlike its direct predecessor (the Bologna Process), it is limited to European Union Member States and covers different levels and sectors of education to support lifelong learning. You can visit its official website here.

Its development & current state

In September 2020, the European Commission presented its vision for the creation of a European Education Area by 2025 and proposed concrete measures to achieve it on the basis of 6 dimensions: quality, inclusion and gender equality, green and digital transition, teachers, higher education & geopolitical dimension.

Some months later, in February 2021, the Council of the EU responded with a Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training for the period 2021-2030 providing the essential structure for collaboration between all the EU Member States and key stakeholders. Its key objectives are:

  • Supporting EU Member States in their reforms of education and training systems
  • Enhancing synergies with other policy areas such as research and innovation, social policy, employment or youth, and with EU funding instruments to better support national reforms.
  • Following a holistic approach is key in order to effectively implement the EEA: efforts to establish the European Education Area are working in synergy with the European Skills Agenda, the renewed Vocational Education and Training policy and the European Research Area.
  • Identifying targets and indicators to guide work and monitor progress: a reporting and analysis structure to encourage and track reforms.

All these measures are supported by the NextGenerationEU and the Erasmus+ Programme.

What are the targets to achieve the European Education Area?

Together with Member States, the European Commission wants to set two different targets to achieve the European Education Area.

By 2025:
  • 60% of vocational education and training students should take part in work-based learning
  • At least 47% of adults aged 25-64 should have participated in learning in the previous 12 months
By 2030:
  • The share of low-achieving 15 year-olds in mathematics, reading and science should be less than 15%
  • The share of low-achieving students in their eighth year of schooling in computer and information literacy should be less than 15%
  • 96 % of children aged between three and the compulsory school age should participate in early childhood education
  • The share of early school leavers should be less than 9%
  • The share of 25-34-year-olds with tertiary education attainment should be at least 45 %

Would you like to add your contributions to the European Education Area?

The first step to making your voice heard is registering on the Conference on the Future of Europe platform: http://futureu.europa.eu. Once you log in, it’s time to share your ideas on how to build a healthier Europe for everyone. You are entitled to 1500 characters to present your idea, and approve or comment on those of others, in any of the 24 EU official languages.

Presented in April 2021, the multilingual digital platform of the Conference is playing a key role, enabling all the EU citizens -but also public actors & all kinds of organisations from civil society- to provide their views & opinions on any relevant topic for the future of Europe.

The European Parliament adopts the new Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme

Erasmus+, which has demonstrated that it plays a significant role in fostering European identity, will have almost double the funding in 2021-2027 (over €28bn from different sources) when compared to the previous seven years (€14.7bn). MEPs managed to secure an additional €2,2bn during the final stages of negotiations with the Council.

In the plenary debate ahead of the approval of the programme, most speakers said that young peoples’ lives have been affected by COVID-19 and stressed the importance of Erasmus+, evaluated by citizens as the most successful EU programme, for Europe’s future generations. You can watch the debate again here.

In order to ensure a smooth transition from the previous programme period, retroactivity provisions in the regulation ensure that the new Erasmus+ enters into effect from 1 January 2021. Application processes and calls for proposals have already been set in motion by the Commission and in many member states.

Find out more about the new programme!
Stay Connected!

Follow us on social media and be part of the journey — updates, opportunities, and Erasmus vibes await!

Instagram X-twitter Facebook Linkedin-in Youtube