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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.

 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 our local chapter gE4Verona!

volunteering and democratic participation of young people by organizing cultural events, youth exchanges, training courses and workshops.

Oriel is also active in promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability.

To achieve its goals, Oriel works primarily with the European Union’s ErasmusPlus and European Solidarity Corps programs.

We are very pleased to have Oriel on board and look forward to working with them for the betterment of Europe!

gE4Cities gather in Bologna for gE Capacity Building

The Capacity Building aimed to strengthen and improve the skills of the gE4Cities local groups on “Networking and Project Implementation and Communication”, while providing a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration among gE4Cities. 

The two-day event, attended by many participants from different parts of Europe and beyond, was the occasion for Fabrizio Bitetto, CEO of the garagErasmus Foundation, to welcome the new local associations and introduce them to the garagErasmus network.

On the first day, thanks to a poster session dedicated to gE4Cities, the participants had the opportunity to get to know each other and the network by presenting their organisations and ongoing projects. They also had their say on the future strategy and membership of garagErasmus, suggesting valuable starting points for next year’s work. 

The following day, two activities were organised around the theme of capacity building: an interactive session led by Lia Chiara Miccichè, one of the initiators of the garagErasmus Foundation and now co-founder of LimeUp, on the best ways to develop and manage a project; a workshop led by Arianna Ioli, Director of Europa Business School, on how to use storytelling to communicate projects involving participants in a peer-to-peer activity. Participants were also able to get an overview of the next funding opportunities and garagErasmus projects for 2023, including activities related to the European Year of Skills, Erasmus Days, the European Digital Education Hub and the gE4women entrepreneurship platform – presented for the first time during the event – as well as other plans for 2024. 

We are very grateful to our gE4Cities for their productive engagement and contribution to the sessions, workshops and discussions that took place. This capacity building was a great step forward towards a more united and effective network for the Erasmus generation.

Special thanks to Stefano Campanari, CEO of Scambieuropei and gE4Bologna, and to the staff of Scambieuropei for hosting the event.

See the gallery!

gE4Cities Capacity Building event confirmed in Bologna

It will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among gE4s. The overall topic will be “NETWORKING AND PROJECTS”.

As we celebrate the European Year of Skills, these events hold great importance in fostering talent and professional development within the Erasmus Generation. The participation of garagErasmus’ gE4Cities representatives will be crucial in shaping the future of international students, trainees, and young professionals.

See oyr gE4Cities

Call for gE4Cities to host Capacity Building event

The event will take place in the span of two days, on 27-28 July 2023, and aims to strengthen and enhance the abilities of gE4Cities local groups. It will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among gE4s. The topic, as suggested in the whatsapp group, will be “NETWORKING AND PROJECTS”.

Please send an email to info@garagerasmus.org to apply. 

Erasmus+ commemorates its 35 years in Paris!

This event will give the floor to those who make Erasmus+ happen: pupils, apprentices, students, teachers and trainers, professionals, volunteers and members of associations. All of them will share their Erasmus+ experience and how it has been a determining factor in their lives. Ministers, Commissioners and elected representatives will then join the discussion, which will count with the intervention of the French President Emmanuel Macron.

Erasmus+ Citizens’ Forum: 35 proposals
Towards a right to learning mobility for everyone in Europe

Young people will defend their proposals for making the Erasmus+ programme more accessible to all, in front of the national and European political decision-makers present at the event. This work is the result of a consultation initiated during a citizen forum on October 1st and 2nd.

Our local chapter in Paris Fondation Hippocrène is associated with the 35th anniversary of Erasmus+ and proposes the musical sequences with Tatiana Probst (soprano), Dominique Probst (cymbals), Guillaume Vincent (piano), Lucienne Renaudin Vary (trumpet).

Read the programme
Register for the event!

A Ball Can Change Everything: the third Katowice Internationals World Cup is held again in Silesia

Its aim is, since the very beginning, to promote social inclusion and diversity through a simple yet extraordinary action, such as a football match. Multicultural interaction and inclusivity are the values our Foundation believes in and promotes every day.

The whole draw of the tournament was composed by 20 different national teams from nearly every continent: Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. Each team was composed of internationals living in Poland and coming not only from Katowice or Silesia, but also Kraków or Gdánsk: the only requirement to play is being born in the country you are playing for.

The first day started with a parade of the 20 national teams to present themselves to the supporters. The pitch was divided in 4 different pitches where all the matches were being played at the same time, to make the show more exciting. Soon enough we could see some teams already getting favourites for the Cup after some astonishing matches.

These two intense days culminated in a thrilling and deserved victory for the Egyptian team and an earned second place for the Portuguese one, but our greatest achievement is to have marched under the same flag! Looking forward to the next chapter.

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 future is in your hands: the new multilingual digital platform for the COFOE is out

The platform will be the Conference on the Future of Europe’s central hub: a place where all the contributions to the CoFoE will be brought together and shared, including information on decentralised events, the European Citizens’ Panels, and Conference Plenaries, representing an opportunity for citizens to speak up, to say what kind of Europe they want to live in and to help to shape our common future.

Thanks to this new multilingual digital platform, citizens from across Europe will have the possibility to provide their views on any topic that they consider important for the future of the EU. This will enable citizens – for the first time at EU level – to put forward their ideas, comment on other people’s ideas, create and participate in events.

A specialised feedback mechanism will aggregate and analyse key points raised, so that they can also be taken into account during the European Citizens’ panels and Conference Plenaries.

The platform will also provide information on the Conference’s structure and work, as well as resources for event organisers including a catalog of key events through which they will be able to promote their initiatives at local, regional, national, and European levels. Citizens will easily be able to look up events in which they wish to participate thanks to an events map.

garagErasmus is contributing to success of the Conference on the Future of Europe through the EUth Pages for Europe project. Co-funded by the European Union, this project will develop a series of activities to make the Erasmus Generation have an impact on it through local events collecting youngster’s opinions and expectations and collecting them in a publication, the EUth Pages for Europe, addressed to EU policy-makers.

Visit the Platform!

The new Erasmus+ programme is here: over €28 billion to support learning for everyone!

which will fund learning mobility (70% of the allocated budget) and cross-border cooperation projects for 10M European citizens with a budget of €26.2 billion (compared to €14.7 billion for 2014-2020), complemented with about €2.2 billion from EU’s external instrument.

This date, which corresponds to the 64th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, marks also a restarting point for the most emblematic EU programme, and garagErasmus Foundation is ready to have a leading role in it, working towards a greener, more digital and more inclusive Europe.

The new Erasmus+ programme will be even more inclusive by supporting the green and digital transitions, as set out in the European Education Area, and will also contribute to the resilience of education and training systems. The new programme will offer new opportunities and hopes for all the European citizens to recover from a pandemic that especially hit their educational and professional development, particularly in the case of the Erasmus Generation.

As stated by the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, “the fact that the Erasmus+ budget for the next seven years has almost doubled shows the importance given to education, lifelong learning and youth in Europe. Erasmus+ remains a unique programme in terms of its size, scope and global recognition, covering 33 countries, and accessible to the rest of the world through its international activities”.

What will be the features of the new Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme?

1. Inclusive Erasmus+

It will provide enhanced opportunities to people with fewer opportunities, including those ones with diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds, and people living in rural and remote areas. Novelties include…
– Small-scale partnerships and use of simplified grants: it will be easier for smaller organisations, such as schools, youth associations and sports clubs to apply.
– The programme will also be more international at the time of cooperating with third countries, building on the successes of the previous programme with exchanges and cooperation projects around the world, now also expanding to sport and the vocational education and training sector.
– Individual and class exchanges for school pupils and mobility for adult learners.

2. Digital Erasmus+

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to accelerate the digital transition of education and training systems.

– The European Student Card will simplify & digitalise the implementation of the programme.
– Erasmus+ will support the development of digital skills, in line with the Digital Education Action Plan, providing high-quality digital training and exchanges via platforms such as eTwinning, School Education Gateway and the European Youth Portal, and it will encourage traineeships in the digital sector.
– New formats, such as blended intensive programmes, will allow short-term physical mobility abroad to be complemented with online learning and teamwork.

3. Green Erasmus+

The new programme will offer financial incentives to participants using sustainable modes of transport in line with the European Green Deal. Furthermore, it will also invest in projects promoting awareness of environmental issues and facilitate exchanges related to mitigating the climate crisis.

4. Erasmus+ for young people:

Erasmus+ will also support exchange and cooperation opportunities through new youth participation activities, to help young people engage and learn to participate in democratic life, raising awareness about shared European values and fundamental rights; and bringing young people and decision-makers together at local, national and European level. DiscoverEU now becomes an integral part of Erasmus+ and gives 18 year-olds the possibility to get a rail pass to travel across Europe, learn from other cultures and meet fellow Europeans.

Known as Erasmus+ since 2014, when it enlarged its scope of activities, this emblematic programme is ranked by Europeans as the EU’s third most positive result, just after free movement and peace. Over the last three decades, more than 10 million people have participated in the programme in 33 countries (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey).

Coronavirus is causing a “shecession”: stand up for women’s rights!

The consequences of the pandemic are threatening the enormous efforts carried out during the last few years to achieve equality in the job market, particularly among young professionals, and as the professional hub of the Erasmus Generation garagErasmus feels particularly concerned for young women’s opportunities.

Whereas the COVID-19 outbreak in Spring 2020 has been an opportunity for many companies and institutions to make giant strides towards digitalisation & remote working -changes that would have taken years have been implemented in just a few weeks-, female workers have suffered setbacks that have called into question the results of huge efforts over the last few years to achieve equality in the labour market.

In words of garagErasmus President Francesco Cappè , “The pandemia heavily tested our systems at all levels. The weakest elements of our society have been particularly affected. The mobility, which represented the essence of Erasmus’ existence has been interrupted and its culture with it. Today, on behalf of the garagErasmus Foundation, I would like to express our deep hope that the renaissance, that historically follows the darkest moments of our humanity, will be an occasion to reduce inequality of our societies, make our systems working smoother and fairer, and stop ignoring the disparity of treatments that women worldwide are receiving. We can not get back where we were simply because covid 19 highlighted, once for all, the inequality and unsustainability of our societies”.

The Erasmus Generation is peculiarly feeling the effects of the Corona crisis, which is especially devastating between young women, who are facing a double discrimination in this sense. EU institutions and national governments should devote particular efforts to support their employability through targeted policies, and the EU recovery plan must live up to its name by working for the Next Generation of Europeans.

According to the ILO-OECD paper “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on jobs and incomes in G20 economies”, “Early evidences confirm that, contraty to the 2008-2012 crisis, the COVID-19 economic crisis have negatively affected the job market prospects of women disproportionally”. In OECD countries, the rise of unemployment was superior among women (+3’7%) than among men (3’2%).

Furthermore, as reported by the 2020 Women in Work Index Report conducted by the consultancy firm PwC, the pandemic is causing a “shecession”, and estimates that progress for female workers could be back at 2017 levels by the 2021, and that in order to undo the damage caused by COVID-19 to women in work – even by 2030 progress towards gender equality needs to be twice as fast as its historical rate.

This International Women’s Day should especially pay tribute to women’s efforts at the forefront directly dealing with the pandemic. In Europe, women are more likely than men to be in occupations where there is a high risk of COVID-19 infection. Probably the best example is the health & social care sector, where nearly 80% of workers are women according to the 2019 edition of Eurostat. Medical doctors, nurses, personal care workers and other health professionals and their associates deserve special recognition, as well as female workers in the informal sector. Not to mention students & recent graduates with precarious jobs working in the service sector (such as tourism, education or childcare).

On the other hand, childcare facilities and schools closures likely amplified their unpaid work burden at home, where segregation of duties remains clearly unequal. Single parents, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable. Not to mention women suffering gender violence in their households. Therefore, garagErasmus considers that this day should be a reminder of the vital necessity to fight for gender equality, and invites the Erasmus Generation to stand up for women’s right to fully develop their professional potential.

Would you like to know more about this topic? We invite you to read “The gendered impact of the COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis period” report, carried out by the European Parliament in September 2020.

GARAGERASMUS FOUNDATION WELCOMES THE NOMINATION OF PROFESSOR MESSA AS NEW ITALIAN MINISTER OF UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH

Professor Cristina Messa, former Rector of University of Milano-Bicocca, garagErasmus Foundation member, will be the Italian Minister of University and Research.

GaragErasmus Foundation is glad that a person of such great value has been chosen in this very delicate moment for Italy and for all Europe.

Good luck with your mandate!

_________________

La Fondazione garagErasmus accoglie con favore la notizia annunciata dal Primo Ministro, il professor Mario Draghi.
La professoressa Cristina Messa, ex rettrice dell’Università di Milano-Bicocca, membro della Fondazione garagErasmus, sarà il Ministro Italiano dell’Università e della Ricerca.

La Fondazione garagErasmus è lieta che sia stata scelta una persona di così grande valore in questo momento così delicato per l’Italia e per tutta l’Europa.

In bocca al lupo per il Suo mandato!

The new Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 will be more inclusive, digital and greener

The new Erasmus+ programme will be more inclusive, more international, more digital and greener, and will intend at mobilising all sectors for economic recovery and growth.

There will be no structural changes with regards to the previous term, keeping the same division into key actions ans sectors. The new programme aims at these major milestones:

• New opportunities for European learners, starting at school; with greater accessibility and more flexible mobility formats, the new Erasmus+ will provide opportunities for a more diverse group of learners, including those with disadvantages;
• The possibility for students in VET to have experiences outside Europe;
• The introduction of “mixed” mobility, in particular through the use of innovative and high-performance digital tools;
• Green incentives for participants who choose to travel by train or bus rather than by plane and higher participation targets for non-EU countries;
• Promoting innovation in curriculum design, learning and teaching practices
• Promoting green and digital competences
Supporting new flagship initiatives, such as European Universities, Erasmus Teacher Academies, Centres of Professional Excellence and much much more!

The future programme will also focus on inclusion through increased financial support to raise accessibility and awareness among participants with fewer opportunities. Furthermore, it will also promote the incorporation of green practices in all its co-funded projects.

As a next step, the legal adoption of the MFF package along with the ratification of the Own Resources Decision is now urgently needed. Once adopted, the EU’s long-term budget, coupled with the NextGenerationEU initiative, will be the largest stimulus package ever financed through the EU budget. A total of €1.8 trillion* will help rebuild a post-COVID19 Europe.

Stay tuned for concrete updates soon!

Erasmus+ Coalition joint statement on the revised proposal for EU MFF 2021-2027

The strong commitment to European cooperation and public investment demonstrated by its proposed allocation of 1.1 trillion euros, along with 750 billion euros for recovery instrument NextGenerationEU, is a positive sign for the future of Europe. Addressing the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the green and digital transitions, certainly requires ambitious public investment. In this regard, Europe cannot afford to leave people behind by failing to adequately channel such investment into funding programmes which have a tangible and positive impact on their lives while also helping to tackle the above challenges and contribute to the EU’s recovery. However, compared to the Commission’s original proposal from 2018, the revision surprisingly reduces the allocation to such programmes.

Set up in 2015 by the Lifelong Learning Platform and European Youth Forum, the Erasmus+ Coalition is an informal alliance of civil society and stakeholder organisations -including garagErasmus- with extensive experience in working with Erasmus+ and previous generations of the programme. Both organisations, together representing all categories of programme beneficiaries, coordinate dialogue between the EU institutions and civil society organisations across Europe. The Coalition meets regularly to discuss issues of common concern in the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme.

Read the whole Erasmus+ Coalition Statement
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