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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.

garagErasmus Participates in the EMA General Assembly 2025 in Paris

Festival d’Europa in Florence – May 9

One of the most moving moments was dedicated to the testimonies of Erasmus students: young men and women took the stage to share their adventures abroad, the challenges they faced, and the bonds they created. Each story was met with heartfelt applause, not only from the audience but also from their classmates, visibly touched and proud. There was a genuine sense of community in the air, as if each story was a piece of a bigger puzzle: that of a young, dynamic, and supportive Europe.

Making the atmosphere even more special was the incredible Erasmus Orchestra, which accompanied the event with overwhelming energy. The music spread through the streets and squares of Florence, giving rhythm to the day and turning it into something unique. It truly felt like living inside a movie, with a live soundtrack marking every emotion, every encounter, every smile.

The afternoon seminars, full of initiatives and European projects, focused on adults as participants in Erasmus mobility. A common theme that emerged was the desire – and at the same time the challenge – to encourage young people’s participation and their understanding of how Europe works. Through the collection of stories, sharing of knowledge, and mobility experiences at European institutions, everyone encouraged us to follow in their footsteps and reminded us what Europe really means in our daily lives.

The Festival d’Europa was not just an event: it was a collective experience, a celebration of cooperation between different cultures, and a reminder that Europe is much more than a geographic area – it is a living project, made of people, music, and stories that deserve to be told.

Souzana Maria Serveta – ErasMAG Reporter

Festival d’Europa in Florence – May 10

The morning’s main highlight was garagErasmus’ vibrant initiative, which placed children and civic engagement at the center. Among the most engaging activities was the Play with Europe game – a giant jigsaw puzzle map of Europe, tailored for kids. As they assembled the colorful pieces, children improved their geography skills and discovered the beauty and diversity of Europe. garagErasmus volunteers kept the learning going by asking fun and age-appropriate questions such as “Can you name a country where people speak Spanish?” or “Can you find an island country on the map?”. Correct answers were rewarded with small prizes, and the activity sparked joy, curiosity, and learning.

Alongside this, a suggestion box titled “The Future of Europe” invited participants of all ages to submit their dreams, ideas, and hopes for the EU. From bold policy suggestions to heartfelt personal reflections, the messages added a meaningful dimension to the day’s celebrations.

Of course, other partners contributed to the festival’s dynamic spirit. For instance, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) organized a popular speed-dating activity that encouraged spontaneous and cross-cultural exchanges with Erasmus students. Participants shared stories and cultural insights, fostering connections that often began as a quick chat and ended in genuine friendship.

Adding to the festivity, the day also featured live music and dance performances. Notably, the Erasmus Orchestra delivered captivating performances that echoed through the city’s historic heart, blending classical elegance with youthful energy. Later on, the Accademia dell’Incompiuto di Pontedera brought an energetic mix of singing and dancing, lifting the crowd with their spirited presence. These rhythmic interludes created an atmosphere of unity that drew everyone – locals, tourists, and festival-goers alike – into the celebration.

Festival d’Europa 2025 is more than just a celebration – it’s a vibrant call to action. It invites us to connect beyond our differences, celebrate our shared heritage, and co-create the future of Europe through dialogue, creativity, and joy.

As the festival concluded, one message rang loud and clear: Europe is alive, united, and full of potential – and it all starts with people coming together.

Elvin Musayev – ErasMAG Reporter

garagErasmus at the Pact for Skills webinar: Securing and retaining skilled workers to tackle skills shortages

The Pact for Skills aims to support public and private organisations in upskilling and reskilling people of working age, so they can thrive in the labour market and society, especially through the green and digital transitions. It is also the first key action of the European Skills Agenda, a five-year plan launched by the EU Commission to help individuals and businesses develop more and better skills by strengthening sustainable competitiveness, ensuring social fairness, and building resilience to face crises.

The webinar offered an overview of the Union of Skills pillar, which focuses on attracting, developing, and retaining talent. Participants had the opportunity to know more about the new Union of Skills initiative by:

  • Learning how the Pact for Skills can contribute to the Union of Skills;
  • Hearing from experts and Pact members about mobility and migration initiatives that are helping to address workforce shortages;
  • Exploring good practice examples and taking part in an engaging discussion on how EU-level policies are being translated into action on the ground.

The thematic webinar allowed participants to explore good practices and served as an important opportunity for sharing and discussing the obstacles faced by the EU in addressing significant labour and skills shortages across multiple sectors. The event featured contributions from experts and presented some strategies for overcoming these challenges.

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!

Noored Ühiskonna Heaks (NYH) joins garagErasmus as gE4Tallinn!

Under the slogan “Join the Learning Transformation,” NYH serves as a platform for personal growth, civic engagement, and community development. Focusing on education, democracy, ecology, and culture, NYH provides opportunities for young people (14-25 years old) and youth workers to participate in impactful projects, leadership initiatives, and international collaborations. While based in Tallinn, NYH operates across Estonia and around Europe through a strong network of partner organisations, reaching diverse communities and supporting youth engagement at local, national, and international levels.

garagErasmus is excited to welcome NYH into its network and looks forward to the future initiatives we will develop together. 

gE and gE4Cities at the ESAA Annual Meeting and Training

A delegation of garagErasmus, led by gE Network Manager Carlon Bitetto, joined three-day events in Brussels with the Erasmus Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) as protagonist. The delegation included: Sillian Ferrari from gE4Verona, Paula Molina Del Cid from gE4Malaga , Gevorg Harutyunyan from gE4Yerevan, Marina Ageeb from gE4Tuscany, Joanna Ludzien from gE4Katowice, and Oscar Fernandez Gonzalez from gE4Ourense. 

After 8 years, the ESAA Annual Meeting, organized by the Erasmus+ Support Service, took place on 3 February with renovated spirit to make the Alliance stronger and more impactful on the life of Erasmus students and alumni of Erasmus all over the world. This is exactly the potential strength of ESAA, which, thanks to the cooperation among garagErasmus Foundation, Erasmus Student Network (ESN), OCEANS Network and Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), can cover all the crucial aspects of future challenges for the mobile population. This, and the fact that ESAA can now count on the contribution of the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA) and of the African Students and Alumni Forum (ASAF), will make the future of the alliance even brighter. 

Several workshops and panels have been presented during the Annual Meeting. garagErasmus managed a panel on “Strategies for future collaborations”, with the aim of
submitting, in the next weeks, a joint activity, according to ESAA and EACEA priorities, among the organizations.

On the 4 February the ESAA training took place, focusing on the new figure of the “Erasmus Ambassadors”, that will have, in the framework of ESAA, a key role and a
growing responsibility in the future, also considering the new priority of the EC which considers Erasmus as a Global Gateway to the Whole World.

The last day of this event saw the participation of an ESAA delegation to the NEO – ICP – ENFP meeting, that tried to answer, as central debate, the question: “Where do we stand on international mobility?”. ESAA members actively interacted during sessions dedicated to Building Skills Through Erasmus+ and Boosting the Impact of
Erasmus+ Projects and had the precious opportunity to network with European Delegations and Erasmus National Focal Points of third Countries. This represented a
precious chance for garagErasmus to understand how Erasmus is moving outside of Europe and what are the scenarios and opportunities for new initiatives in unexplored
territories.

This intense but meaningful three-day programme gave new ideas and inputs to garagErasmus members, that, in the next months will bring the best ideas from the network to ESAA to maximise the cooperation with other organizations and transform ideas into concrete activities. 

See gallery

Meet our new gE4City: gE4 Leipzig

Dreaming OPEnly e.V. is a youth organization based in Leipzig, Germany, dedicated to offering transformative developmental experiences through non-formal learning and mobility opportunities for young people both locally and internationally. Founded in 2020 as an informal group of youth workers, it officially became an association in early 2023.

Dreaming OPEnly team is united by a shared passion for non-formal education and the belief in the power of innovative learning methods to address the needs of younger generations. They strive to use contemporary youth culture and creative approaches to foster critical thinking, personal growth, and active citizenship.

The association’s mission is to facilitate transformative change through non-formal education, critical thinking and artistic expression. The team dedicates itsef to crafting innovative projects to promote awareness and disseminate values aligned with the socio-environmental transition they hope for. They are advocates of the role of individuals in bringing about social change which can lead to fairer and more sustainable societies.

Dreaming OPEnly members actively contribute to their local communities through youth work, political activism, and social initiatives such as vegan and feminist movements, assembly debates, and community actions. This engagement has solidified their understanding of art as a powerful tool for social transformation and inspired them to integrate these values into our projects.

In total, Dreaming OPEnly has directly involved over 200 young people from across Europe in its programs and engaged more than 1,000 locals in Leipzig through events and initiatives. They are now implementing their first KA210 project, #SolaRPG: Sustainable Orientation of Learning Activities through Roleplaying Games, which focuses on gamified pedagogic tools to develop green skills among youth. As a sending organization, Dreaming OPEnly has partnered in over 70 international projects, giving around 500 young people the opportunity to participate in European mobility programs abroad.

garagErasmus is excited to welcome Dreaming OPEnly into its network and looks forward to the future initiatives we will develop together.

Check Dreaming OPEnly wesite

gE Capacity Building 2024 in Milan

 gathering participants coming from Europe and beyond: Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Nigeria, France, Poland, and more! This gathering of gE4Cities representatives was marked by a shared enthusiasm for networking and acquiring impactful skills to benefit their organization and professional path.

This year, over thirty participants joined the garagErasmus Learning Garage – Capacity Building. Across the two days, participants had the opportunity to learn the art of videomaking, find out about the communication strategies and campaigns used to promote the European Elections and learn techniques to pitch to the press and institutions to promote their multiplier events and more.

27th of June: the art of videomaking, gE4Cities and gE ongoing and upcoming projects

The first-day kicked-off with a short presentation provided by Carlo Bitetto, Network Manager at garagErasmus, which shared an insight about current and future projects implemented by the Foundation.

Later on, the event continued with the insightful training “The Art of Videomaking” provided by Marco Cassini, Italian movie director and actor. During his three-hour workshops, he trained the participants on how to direct a movie, sharing various movie-directing techniques, and then guiding them to create a one-minute video to tell a story of their choice. Through this workshop, the participants learned more about the importance of storytelling and motivation, while the exercise provided by the trainer encouraged active participation and team building.

The first day concluded with a short presentation of the ongoing and next projects of the gE4Cities organizations, offering participants insights about the roles of different organizations, to facilitate networking.

28th of June: communication strategies and how to reach the press

Day two began with the “Before and after the European Elections: how to move forward” panel hosted by Maurizio Molinari, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Milan. Through his presentation and dynamic Q&A session, participants gained valuable insights into the EU and Italy’s communication strategies to promote the European Elections. Moreover, Molinari discussed how the conversation around the elections will continue in Italy, in order to let citizens know more about the European Union. He also initiated a discussion on democracy and voting, encouraging participants to reflect and ask questions.

The last panel of the day, “Local event promotion: effective pitching to institutions and press” was hosted by Emanuele Pilloni, PR and Media Relations Manager. During his two-hour workshop, Pilloni explained his job responsibilities and shared relevant case studies with the audience. He provided valuable insights on how to effectively reach local press, HEIs, and to promote organizations’ events to reach a wider audience.

We are grateful for everyone who took part in the event, reaffirming our commitment to collaborating to empower the Erasmus Generation!

Check out the gallery!
Find out more about the Capacity Building

gE4Silesia organizes the 6th edition of Katowice International World Cup

In this 6th edition, twenty-four national football teams clashed to win the International Katowice World Cup. Those teams were composed of expats living in Katowice, coming from different countries all over the world, reunited in the Stadium Asnyka 27 with the same goal: taking home the Katowice World Cup prize.

This year, the lucky and well-deserved winner was the Colombian team, who managed to beat Palestine during the penalty kicks. Palestine took home the second prize, while Uzbekistan the third one.

This 6th edition was a complete blast, and we want once again to congratulate the winners, the volunteers, and everyone who took part in this wonderful and international event!

Check out the video on TVP3 Katowice
See the gallery

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.

Learning Garage Capacity Building 2024: call to gE4Cities

this two-day event aims to bolster the skills and capabilities of gE4Cities local groups. It will offer a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration among gE4s. To apply, please send an email to info@garagerasmus.org.

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

Genç Zihin Derneği (GEZIDER) joins garagErasmus as gE4Istanbul!

a Turkish youth organization founded in 2016 with the mission of empowering and supporting young people while making a positive impact in their communities. 

GEZIDER was established to support young people in conducting studies in the social, cultural, artistic, educational, and health fields. Its aims include encouraging experienced youth to mentor and guide other young people, contributing to the development of youth policies, and encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit among young people. The association also seeks to provide knowledge, skills, and attitudes in these areas, to reach out to young people across Turkey,  especially in provinces with limited opportunities, and to promote the sharing of experiences and life stories, ensuring that this knowledge and these skills are actively applied.

Moreover, the association carries out scientific, social and cultural studies in the fields of culture, arts, sports, science, individual and social development, tourism and employment at the local, national and international levels. 

garagErasmus is excited to welcome GEZIDER into its network and looks forward to the future initiatives we will develop together.

Group of the European Youth for Change (GEYC) joins garagErasmus as gE4Bucharest!

a Romanian youth organization founded in 2010 with the mission of empowering young people to create positive change in their communities. 

Although based in Romania, GEYC is active at the European level. It is the initiator and coordinating organization of the PRISMA European Network, a European wide coalition aimed at raising the quality of youth projects. Since 2023, GEYC has also held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

With a focus on entrepreneurship and engagement, democracy and human rights, digital and sustainability, GEYC provides opportunities through educational projects primarily targeting young people aged 14–35, as well as youth workers and teachers.

garagErasmus is excited to welcome GEYC into its network and looks forward to the future initiatives we will develop together.

ESAA Representatives Debate the Future Erasmus at gE Annual Meeting

representatives of the organisations that form the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) gathered for a panel discussion under the theme “Erasmus at a Crossroads: Towards and Beyond 2027.”

This exchange brought together voices from across the Erasmus+ ecosystem to reflect on the future of the programme, as Europe prepares for the next multiannual financial framework and considers how Erasmus+ can continue evolving to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The panel was moderated by Toñi Caro, representing EO&H for Good, and featured contributions from Carlo Bitetto (garagErasmus Foundation), Rajon Bhuijan (Erasmus Mundus Association), Vitoria Cabral (OCEANS Network), Roshan Halkhoree (ASAF – Africa), and Nikolina Adzic (Western Balkans Alumni Association). Together, they offered diverse perspectives on the impact of mobility, alumni engagement, and the importance of inclusive, sustainable approaches to European and international cooperation.

This conference was one of many initiatives organised throughout the year to reinforce the ESAA network and to support the Erasmus Generation in shaping a stronger, more united Europe. It underlined the vital role that former Erasmus+ participants continue to play in driving civic engagement, promoting European values, and contributing to the long-term vision of the programme.

garagErasmus Annual Meeting 2025: building the next five years

bringing together participants from across Europe for a two-day working session titled “5 Years Ahead.” The event served as a strategic platform for evaluating the Foundation’s progress and collectively designing its direction for the coming years, with a focus on international mobility, skills development, policy engagement, and innovation across the network. This edition was suppoerted by the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA).

The meeting opened with a plenary session led by President and CEO Fabrizio Bitetto, who presented the Foundation’s 2024 Annual Report along with the strategic work plan for 2025. His remarks emphasized the importance of broadening the impact of mobility programmes, fostering a more inclusive Erasmus ecosystem, and strengthening the visibility and effectiveness of garagErasmus initiatives. Following this, Toñi Caro González of Eoh For Good, independent evaluator and head of the Quality Assurance Board, presented the 2024 Quality Assurance Report. 

The programme continued with the presentation of network members. Carlo Bitetto introduced the new representatives of the gE4 network, who each presented themselves and shared updates on their local initiatives. Among them, Dr. Oleg Fetisov from the Czech Technical University in Prague announced that the next Higher Education European Networking Summit conference will be hosted in Prague in November 2025. Marco Santos from gE4Tallinn outlined projects involving youth centres, Erasmus+ exchanges, and VET partnerships. Andrei Dodea from gE4Bucharest presented activities coordinated by GEYC, while Muhammat Ali Uslu from gE4Istanbul discussed mental health and arts-focused initiatives developed by the GZ Association. Rajon Bhuiyan from gE4Luxembourg introduced a new digital platform aimed at improving connectivity across the garagErasmus network.

Later in the day, Carlo Bitetto, Network Manager of garagErasmus and Francesca Ferri, journalist of Gruppo SAE, presented ErasMAG, the Foundation’s newly launched online magazine written by Erasmus students for Erasmus students. The platform aims to amplify the voices and experiences of the Erasmus community and was developed following a storytelling training held in Pavia from 31 March to 1 April 2025. The training, organised by garagErasmus and Gruppo SAE and hosted by the University of Pavia, introduced participants to storytelling techniques tailored to the context of European mobility.

A central component of the Annual Meeting were the working group sessions, which began in the afternoon and continued into the second day. Facilitated by gE co-founder and board member Marco Mazzini, these sessions brought together participants in six groups, each focusing on key themes such as mobility, policy advocacy, skill recognition, professional development, European citizenship, and strategic initiatives. The format was designed to foster collaborative planning and to co-develop concrete project ideas informed by the Foundation’s previous work. On the second day, these working groups reconvened to refine their proposals and presented their work in a plenary session. The presentations reflected the diversity of the network and underscored the value of participatory design in shaping garagErasmus’ next steps.

A high-level panel discussion followed, bringing together representatives from Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), OCEANS network, African Student Alumni Alliance (ASAF), Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA), and garagErasmus to discuss the future of Erasmus+ under the theme “Erasmus at a Crossroads: Towards and Beyond 2027.” The discussion addressed the need to increase access for underrepresented regions, promote intercontinental alumni networks, and leverage mobility as a tool for intercultural exchange and socio-economic development.

The meeting also marked the establishment of two new focus groups announced by Valentina Presa, Director of the Secretariat. One group will concentrate on policy development, while the other will explore European Universities alliances, focusing on collaboration models and resource management within inter-university mobility partnerships.

The programme concluded with the presentation of several projects supported by ESAA and developed by members of the garagErasmus network. These included Sailing Together from gE4Malaga (University of Malaga), Rural Roots, European Wings from gE4Ourense  (Bregal Association), gE4s: Empowering through the Net from gE4Verona (Oriel Association), and EUinaDay from gE4Tuscany (Lime Up). Each initiative reflected the commitment of the network to inclusive participation, sustainability, and local innovation.

Looking ahead, participants were invited to contribute ideas for the upcoming Capacity Building event scheduled in Athens on 10 and 11 July 2025. Suggested themes included design thinking, ecological strategies, professionalisation of youth organisations, digital communication, innovation, institutional advocacy, European citizenship education, mentoring methodologies, entrepreneurship models, and resource and HR management.

The Annual Meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to the values of the Erasmus programme and the collaborative spirit of garagErasmus, as well as an official welcoming to new members.  Through reflection, dialogue, and practical planning, the event reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to advance European mobility, support the personal and professional development of young Europeans, and strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation across the continent.

Gallery – Day 1
Gallery – Day 2
Material Annual Meeting

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

It’s true: low talents cost millions!

The problem

In brief, skills mismatches mean that business are not able to find new employees In possession of the necessary skills to completely fulfill their job requirements. It can also mean that new employees are overqualified for the duties they are assigned. In both cases there is a problem of “mismatch” between the supply and the demand of skills in the job market. Skills mismatches are bad for economy because they make businesses less competitive and have social repercussions on affected employees. More precisely:

  1. they obstacle productivity of businesses as they don’t find the profiles fitting 100% their projects. The EESC study estimates that European economy loses over 2.14% productivity per year due to skills mismatches;
  2. they can extend job seekers’ unemployment, which is particularly worrying in those EU countries that are still affected by high levels of long-term unemployment and struggling to put they economies back on track after the economic and financial crisis (according to Eurostat, in 2017 the EU unemployment rate was 7.6%, with regional peaks of up to 29.1%);
  3. they can reduce innovation potential of businesses not finding properly skilled human resources, which is another source of worry for EU competitiveness, as the European Innovation Scoreboard 2017 ranks the EU only 6th after South Korea, Canada, Australia, Japan and the US and up only a slight 2% since 2010 (cf. p 13 of the study).

The causes

What are the causes of skills mismatches? According to the authors of the study, there are mainly two factors: (1) educations systems are slow to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the economy and keep up with the development of new technologies and business models; (2) low labour mobility across regions and sectors. The second point specifically is in turn caused by a set of flaws in the EU labour market such as information asymmetries between countries (job seekers are not easily aware of the conditions to access positions in other countries), insufficient recognition of foreign qualifications (such as university diplomas) and lagging cross-country labour intermediation (despite the EURES network expansion). Cultural and linguistic differences can also be counted in the problems leading to low labour mobility.

Addressing low cross-country mobility

To be really competitive, fair and to grow constantly, the European economy cannot waste human capital. It needs to make full use of the integrated labour market, where people have the right and the concrete possibility to move to another country and be employed where its skills and interests best match labour demand. Unblocking cross-country mobility of talents should be a priority in a barrier-free Europe. In particular:

  1. Invest in the Erasmus Generation! The ErasmusPlus is the most successful programme of the European Union and should be allowed to empower even more citizens in the coming years. Funding growing talents to make experiences abroad is the most direct way the EU has to address the mobility problems pointed out here above. As European leaders are discussing the next seven-year budget of the European Union, the Erasmusx10 campaign has some suggestions for them to take ErasmusPlus to the next level.
  2. Automatic recognition of higher education diplomas would make it much easier for students and young job seekers to move their search across countries and potentially find a job quicker. The upcoming set up of a “European Education Area” would be the right framework to automatise qualifications’ recognition.

Is garagErasmus doing anything to counter this phenomenon?

Of course! New editions of the garagErasmus international Talents Match are planned in the fall 2018. Know more about what it is and follow our social media channels and website to be the first to know where the next ones will take place!References:

The EU upgrades the European Solidarity Corps


The ESC was created to help young people between 18 and 30 to participate in a range of solidarity activities in different fields (environment, culture, social services, helping refugees, migrants, children or the elderly) as a tangible expression of European values. The aim of the ESC is to contribute to addressing unmet societal needs, while enhancing young people’s personal, educational, social, civic and professional development.
This agreement will enable 100.000 Europeans participate in ESC activities by 2020.

You can join…

Are you looking forward to join the European Solidarity Corps? Check out all you need on the ESC portal

…and maximise the impact of your experience!

Have you taken part in a project as a member of the European Solidarity Corps? Are you engaged in one right now? Get to garagErasmus online platform! You can find people who are making an international experience in the same place as you are or have been involved in the same project as yours and could give you some hints on how to have a more positive impact. You can also write down your thoughts and share your experience for the next ESC generations.

Background

The proposal for the European Solidarity Corps was presented by the Commission as a part of the broader set of initiatives called “Investing in Europe’s Youth” launched on 7 December 2016. The ESC builds on the experience of the European Voluntary Service (EVS), which has provided volunteering opportunities for young people for 20 years, as well as policies and programmes such as the Youth Guarantee and the “Your First Eures Job”.Since its launch in December 2016 eight different EU-wide ESC programmes have been mobilised to offer volunteering, traineeship or job opportunities in solidarity-related sectors to young people across the EU. So far almost 60.000 young people have registered and almost 5.000 of them started a placement.

After a successful phasing in of the project, clear rules and an appropriate budget were needed.

For details of the agreement and its future development, visit: http://bit.ly/EUupgradesESC

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