Blog

Our Latest Blogs

garagErasmus and gE4Málaga celebrate Europe Day with Erasmus+ event in Torremolinos

The initiative aimed to bring Erasmus+ opportunities closer to the youth of Torremolinos by involving students from two local schools, Erasmus+ students from the University of Málaga, and representatives from local Erasmus+ associations. Together, they had the opportunity to enjoy the unique experience of sailing in a barca de Jábega, a traditional boat of Phoenician origin, symbolising the values of mobility, inclusion, and intercultural exchange between communities, as promoted by Erasmus+ programme. The activity was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Club de Remo de La Carihuela.

The project, supported by ESAA, has already received great feedback for its inclusive approach.

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.

Happy Europe Day from garagErasmus! 

On this special day, garagErasmus is proud to be part of four exciting events across Europe to celebrate the values that bring us together as Europeans. Today, you can find us in:

  • Firenze: join us at the Festival of Europe alongside Erasmus+ Indire and our Erasmus Reporters! Visit our stand and try Play with Europe, a fun and interactive game for all ages.
  • Málaga: we’re celebrating Europe Day at the University of Málaga, at an event funded by ESAA!
  • Lucca: with our gE4Tuscany Limeup at I Giovani Incontro All’Europa, spreading the spirit of unity and youth engagement.
  • Vicenza: we’re at the Leonardo da Vinci High School in Arzignano for a day of European spirit and celebration!

Let’s celebrate what makes Europe special – 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.

Participate to the public consultation on the future of the EU

The goal will be to create a more focused, simpler, and impactful EU budget that aligns with the Union’s priorities and promotes a future of growth and innovation.

A key element of this process is the public consultation launched by the Commission, inviting citizens, stakeholders, and organizations to offer their feedback on the future EU budget. This consultation is a vital opportunity for Europeans to shape how EU funds will be allocated, particularly in areas crucial for the Union’s long-term success, such as education, youth, media, culture, and civil society.

Feedback will be gathered from citizens, national governments, and regional stakeholders alike and will concern education, youth, and culture, competitiveness, external action, civil protection and crisis preparedness and the single market and cooperation between national authorities.

This consultation is an essential step in building a more resilient and forward-looking EU budget, one that empowers Europeans and strengthens the EU’s global standing.

Whether you’re a citizen, student, business owner, or regional stakeholder, your input matters. To join the conversation and have your say, visit the official consultation platforms by clicking on the button below. 

Deadline: 6 May 2025 

Public consultation

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.

gE attends ASAF Annual General Forum in Benin

It was a great opportunity to discover ASAF’s past year activities, as well as its future strategy to engage in internationalisation and mobility promotion all across the continent. garagErasmus seized the moment to strengthen its relationship with its partner organisations in its quest to valorise the Erasmus Generation in Europe and beyond.

gE is looking for a web designer to renovate its website

Key Responsibilities:

  • Modern design: redesign the website with a clean, contemporary look that reflects the dynamic and innovative spirit of garagErasmus, while maintaining the Foundation’s official colors and branding guidelines.
  • Functionality: restructure the website so that it successfully displays our mission, network, resources, media, ongoing projects, events and news in a modern and clear way, while maintaining existing content. 
  • Accessibility: implement best practices to ensure the website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, adhering to the latest web accessibility standards.
  • Responsive: ensure the website is fully responsive, offering an optimal viewing experience across all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

What we’re looking for:

  • Proven experience in web design and development, with a portfolio showcasing responsive and modern websites.
  • Strong understanding of accessibility standards and best practices.
  • Creativity and attention to detail in implementing the Foundation’s visual identity.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with our team.

About garagErasmus Foundation:

Based in Milan, Vicenza and Brussels, garagErasmus Foundation (gE) is the professional network of the Erasmus Generation that aims at supporting the shaping of a better-integrated Europe. Our mission is to improve the lives of people who went through international study or work experiences by enabling them to access opportunities that could make their careers more impactful for the European community. 

Project timeline:

  • Application deadline: 08/09/2024
  • Selection of developer: 09/09/2024 – 10/09/2024
  • Initial consultation and project kickoff: by 16/09/2024
  • Design mockups submission: by the end of September
  • Development phase: September/October
  • Testing and bug fixing: October/November
  • Final review and approval: by the end of November

How to Apply:

If you have the skills and experience to bring our vision to life, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your CV, portfolio, along with a brief proposal outlining your approach to this project and a quotation, to job@garagerasmus.org

Download the job offer

garagErasmus will join the EAIE Convention 2024 in Toulouse

If you are going to the conference and would like to meet us to get to know better the gE network and its opportunities, please send an email to Fabrizio Bitetto or Valentina Presa.

This year’s conference theme is “En Route!,” and wants to highlight the hard work that propels our community towards a brighter future.

Send an email to Valentina Presa
Send an email to Fabrizio Bitetto

Staff Week in Cologne: boosting sustainability offices under the BRIGHTS project

the University of Pavia and the University of Cyprus. Over three days, participants engaged in a series of sessions that addressed a wide array of topics and perspectives concerning sustainability.

The staff week was opened by a welcome speech of Prof. Kirk Junker, vice-rector for sustainability at the University of Cologne, who emphasised the importance of HEIs leading students into sustainable habits. He was then followed by Pamela Kilian, from the Sustainability Office of the University of Cologne, who showcased the university’s sustainability strategy and the pivotal role of the Office in driving these initiatives.

The following session, featuring an overview of the BRIGHTS project and the program for the week, was jointly presented by Martina Altea Bellinzona, BRIGHTS Project Coordinator from the University of Pavia, and Thilo Zimmermann, Head of Academic Networks & SDGS Projects at the University of Cologne. They outlined the project’s goals, the structure of the staff week, and the key outcomes aimed to achieve.

The final session of the day was held by Tobias Bartman, of the Green Office Movement, who presented the organization and set up a workshop by applying the Green Office Movement’s toolkit to establish green offices. He then proceeded to present the work of Students Oganising for Sustainability International, which supports student and youth groups globally to lead on sustainability and social justice.

The second day started off with Martina Altea Bellinzona presenting the work of the Office for Sustainable Actions (OSA) of the University of Pavia. She was then followed by Thilo Zimmerman who introduced UoC Global, which implements international projects at the University of Cologne, and was and was then joined by Dr. Ali Al-Bayati to present the DAAD LegalLead Projects which seeks to build up law clinics on female empowerment and good governance at Al-Nahrain University in Iraq and Cartage University in Tunis and is a promising example for an international projects adressed to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

The third session of the day saw Ilaria Corazza of the University of Turin, and editor of the Sustainability Report, presenting the Rete delle Università per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (RUS) and delving into the importance of reporting. Prof. Drew Nelson of the University of Cologne then showcased his ongoing course concerning the SDGs and the new teaching methodologies that it involves.

The second day ended with Michela Cobelli and Chantal Ricciardi, from the International Mobility Unit of the University of Pavia, who showcased best practices of internationalisation, sustainability and networking in HEIs, and the Coimbra Group. 

The third and last day saw the participants learning about the Fair Trade Competence Center of the University of Cologne by Dr. Katharina Groene, and were taught about sustainability rankings by Luciana Sacchetti of the University of Bologna.

The staff week concluded with a visit to the UN Campus in Bonn, where participants had the opportunity to learn in depth about the importance of SDGs. 

See the gallery

The University of Trento joins garagErasmus Family!

Our new collaboration with the University of Trento will enhance our efforts to promote the #ErasmusGeneration’s values and improve mobility and education across Europe!

The University of Trento is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation, and we are thrilled to have them on board with us to create a better Europe together.

Check out the others Foundation Members

L’Elevator Hub (il nostro ufficio gE a Vicenza) è in vendita

spiegano «che ci impone di prepararci a lasciare il nostro spazio». Un’eventualità che allarma non poco Elitlab, Onymous, Gfc, Regula, Inveneta – Walter Fantauzzi, Garagerasmus, Seay, Yupmedia, Officina sulle Nuvole, Mostrum e Francesco Zanotto.

Qui diverse startup innovative hanno trovato terreno fertile per crescere

Gli imprenditori ricordano lo sviluppo del progetto e i tanti eventi, corsi e programmi di accelerazione, «che hanno contribuito a creare una rete di relazioni e di sviluppo. Qui sono nate collaborazioni che spesso si sono trasformate in nuove aziende. Qui diverse startup innovative hanno trovato terreno fertile per crescere. Qui sono stati pensati progetti a medio e lungo termine. Qui hanno trovato sede laboratori universitari per ricerca e sviluppo. In breve, Elevator è una grande risorsa per Vicenza e il suo territorio».

Una risorsa che, però, ha richiesto grandi investimenti da parte dei soci, in particolare della famiglia Lovato, proprietaria dello stabile, che partita con il 48% delle quote nel 2019 (Simal, della galassia del gruppo Maltauro, ed Ensys, tra i cui fondatori c’è l’ex ad di Elevator Matteo Pozzi, avevano entrambe il 26%), è passata nel 2022 al 72%, con Ensys al 33% e Simal al 5%. Recentemente, a fronte di spese continue, la famiglia ha deciso di vendere lo stabile, del valore di 3 milioni di euro.

Necessari investimenti importanti

«I Lovato – spiega l’ex presidente Franco Scanagatta – hanno investito 900 mila euro per la ristrutturazione dell’immobile, che ha bisogno di continui interventi. La società, poi, continuava a perdere, quindi i proprietari hanno cercato un acquirente, pronti a regalare l’azienda, in caso fosse stata presentata un’offerta seria». Che, però, non è arrivata. E il clima all’interno della società ne ha risentito. «La famiglia – continua Scanagatta – ha quindi deciso per la liquidazione volontaria dell’azienda, pur intendendo tenere fede ai contratti stipulati, che arriveranno a scadenza». La porta a eventuali investitori non è chiusa. «Se arriva una proposta adeguata i Lovato sono disposti a trattare».

In un deus ex machina sperano gli imprenditori, che nella lettera aperta vogliono «condividere la nostra preoccupazione con le amministrazioni e con la comunità imprenditoriale vicentina, che senza dubbio hanno a cuore lo sviluppo dell’innovazione e della tecnologia condivisa». Così anche Pozzi, che in questi anni ha lavorato a stretto contatto con le startup.

«Nonostante il Covid – sottolinea – avevamo portato a casa risultati, con tutti gli uffici pieni, una quindicina di startup incubate, moltissimi eventi e corsi di formazione. Avevamo anche iniziato collaborazioni con il Comune, le associazioni di categoria e ospitato un evento del Cuoa, insomma Elevator è diventato un punto di riferimento per l’innovazione e questo avrebbe portato effetti positivi anche a livello economico, arrivando a sanare il passivo. Sarebbe un peccato perdere questo incubatore, speriamo che qualcuno ci venga in aiuto con un investimento o mettendo a disposizione una nuova sede».

Articolo scritto da Maria Elena Bonacini per Il Giornale di Vicenza.

Interview with Marco Cillepi, President of gE4Silesia – Katowice Internationals Foundation

Following years of commitment to Erasmus, Marco opened the first garagErasmus section in Poland when he moved to Katowice in 2011; “I decided that it was time to dedicate my time to foreigners and professionals moving abroad to work and it lead to the idea of the Katowice Internationals Foundation.” Their primary mission is promoting a strong message of integration among people. “We accept diversity and we look at it as a great asset, accepting each other with our differences is the key to make this world a better place and help others in need,” Marco explained, “Poland is living an extraordinary historical moment in terms of development and employability so every day more and more foreigners decide to come to work in this country. We want to help people to integrate with locals and increase awareness in the local community regarding different cultures and backgrounds.”

gE4 Silesia’s main project of the last two years has been the Katowice Internationals World Cup. The project idea grew naturally from the healthy international football community in Silesia. Astounded by the number of different nationalities represented at his training sessions, Marco found that football was an incredibly powerful tool for the integration of foreigners into the local community. In cooperation with his friends and cofounders, Greg Kandziora​ and Abadi Murshid, the first edition of the Katowice Internationals World Cup was launched in May 2018. After great success, a second edition took place earlier this year and plans are already underway for a third edition in 2020.

“We have had the chance to meet a lot of foreigners and locals that are coming from different backgrounds,” Marco explained outlining gE4 Silesia’s greatest achievements, “We celebrate diversity and social inclusion together with the local and international community.” The Katowice Internationals World Cup has proved to be an excellent opportunity for members of the Silesian community to build relationships, strengthen their knowledge of different cultures, and celebrate the values of sport and multicultural integration.

As well as the third edition of the Katowice Internationals World Cup, gE4 Silesia has many other projects planned for 2020 which are all closely related to sport, multicultural integration, social inclusion and the promotion of diversity. 2020 will also see gE4 Silesia complete their #100Smiles campaign- a project which promises to donate muppets (already collected from a nursery in South Africa) to local children’s hospitals and orphanages.

We are so proud of everything you have achieved so far, gE4 Silesia, and cannot wait to see what 2020 brings for you!

gE at the NEO-ICP coordination meeting

Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Union (EACEA) in Brussels, where we had the chance to present 2 outstanding ESAA projects we are involved in:

  • The EduVanHub project, presented by Gèv Harutyunyan (garagErasmus4Yerevan), seeks to help disadvantaged young people living in Armenian and Ukranian rural communities acquiring media skills by building an inclusive & innovative environment.
  • The WE AfriHug project, presented by Konstantinos Maragkos (GaragErasmus4Athens), aiming to bring closer Africa and Europe by empowering youth through capacity building, creating links between the African Union & the European Union’s HEIs & CSOs.

The IYE-LABS project starts its training sessions

IYE-LABs is a transnational cooperation partnership that allows a group of stakeholders from youth, volunteering and social inclusion backgrounds to collaborate in a project aimed to foster inclusive youth environments by implementing innovative and participative practices, through developing social labs model as non-formal learning activities addressed to improving young people’s skills for civic participation and volunteering.

IYE-LABs project seeks to train 100 young Europeans to face the most pressing social, environmental and cultural challenges. Young people participating in the laboratory will experience in first person a training and self-knowledge process aimed at better understanding the dilemmas and social, cultural and environmental challenges both at a local and global level to carry out innovation and ethical actions and build local citizenship.

IYE-LABs project wants to tackle the lack of civil participation attitude among young people, the lack of youth involvement in local communities and third sector organisations and inequality and poverty, exclusion and discrimination affecting young people from disadvantaged groups. ​

This social inclusion project is intended for youngsters (18-30 years old) seeking to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake volunteering projects, empowering them to generate a leadership changing forever their lives and the social ecosystem of their cities. Youth workers, decision-makers, NGOs and social organisations will also benefit from the work process.

IYE-LABS project is led by Xul Foundation (Spain). Its fieldwork partners implementing activities and coordinating actions at a local level are Xul Foundation itself, InCo Association (Italy), Impact Hub Zagreb (Croatia), and Dinamik Development (Turkey). IYE Watchers – developing a dissemination and public awareness role, making liaison with policy-makers and being responsible for quality insurance – are Out of the Box International (Belgium), Plataforma del Voluntariado de España (Madrid), and garagErasmus ASBL (Belgium).

garagErasmus ASBL is leading communication and dissemination actions for IYE-LABs project, and is currently implementing the communication plan that had already been formulated in spring 2019. 

Launching event of gE4Brussels

On this occasion we would like to showcase the activities that the foundation carries out and to inform you about our new project: the “Laissez-Passer” of the Erasmus Generation, the passport for European talents!
​
The goal of the passport is to create a connection between the Erasmus generation and privates, companies, recruiters and philanthropists that want to support the most important programme of the European Union of the last 30 years. The Laissez-Passer of the Erasmus Generation wants to involve former Erasmus and tell their stories to the civil society, helping them with the development of their professional life.

Have a look at the video to have a clearer idea of the project and don’t hesitate to reach us!

We will also present the Erasmus +Generation Online meeting point and the Erasmus app! Pass-by, meet other internationally minded MEPs, NGOs or former Erasmus like you… let’s create the Erasmus+ Professional Network together!

Milan opens its door to garagErasmus thanks to ESAA

To these and to other questions on this topic, the ESAA event organised in Milan in the conference room of 55 Milano on the 26th of October by garagErasmus4Milano & Lombardia, thanks to the support of the Erasmus+ student and Alumni association, tried to give some answers. Milan lives in a permanent contradiction: being, without doubts, the most international city in Italy able to give more professional opportunities to recently graduated people, it doesn’t look able to respond to all job requests.
​
Almost 100 people, mostly former international students, gathered to follow the round-table conference about: “Milan, brain drain or talents’ attraction?” that put around the same table experts about education and professional opportunities to discuss about the future projection of the city of Milan, in terms of professional opportunities, with the moderation of Vito Potenza, Senior Partner at Potenza & Partners – Certified Chartered Accountants and Auditors firm and President of the Ethical Committee of garagErasmus.

Different opinions were underlined during the one-hour round-table conference: an important contribution was given by prof. Francesco Lenoci, who, thanks to his teaching experience at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano, is expecting the city and the politicians to do more to open professional gates to students, remarking that twenty years ago in Milan it was easier to access the job market. His view is shared by Laura Soldati, researcher, Adjunct Professor in Applied Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Milan, who is convinced that in sciences, despite the few resources available, the research done in Italy is able to elaborate remarkable results.

“Milan is an intellectual, innovative and robust business opportunity for any person who wants to be successful: young people don’t have to get scared to bet on theirselves”: this is how Marina Mele, soft skills consultant and executive coach, described the city that every hear welcomes 4.300 international students.

 “Opening my start up in Italy was not easy at all, but if I did it, it means that it is not impossible to do it!” commented Alberto Mazzetti, CEO of SOS Tariffe.it, the independent website to compare prices of ADSL, electric energy, gas, assurance, phones, mobile internet, TV and loans, that placed the motivation as the fundamental value that a young entrepreneur has to follow, that can beat all the bureaucratical and technical obstacles imposed by Italian legislation.

​“garagErasmus has come up with innovative ideas regarding how to make easier to look for opportunities to young people, starting from reuniting the Erasmus generation, both on the garagErasmus online platform and off-line, thanks to the activities done by the local association, such as the newborn garagErasmus4Milano & Lombardia”, concluded Marco Mazzini, Co-Founder & Managing Partner Smartive, Co-Founder of garagErasmus.

An important contribution to the discussion was given by Zuzana Huňková, junior recruitment specialist at Wipjobs, Polish recruitment company that received, in 5 years, more than 800 applications to work in Poland and in the Czech Republic from Italian candidates: “The higher unemployment in Italy in the last years caused a clear increase in the requests to go to work abroad from the Country; Italian candidates have as strong points the great adaptability to the new environment and the flexibility to learn new jobs. However, we notice that, even without a strong education as background, sometimes the salary expectations for the first job are not balanced”. Doors of companies are anyway open in Central European countries, especially in Engineering and Customer Service sector.

A more detailed overview of the opportunities given by Erasmus+ was explained by Alessandra Palmulli, which thanks to her recent experience in Brussels could tell what being an Erasmus+ trainer is like, she hopes that garagErasmus could become the real and natural path for every Erasmus+ participants and European citizen. The complete picture regarding EU opportunities was given by the speech of Viviana Premazzi, ESAA Board member that showed to the participants how ESAA can concretely support ideas and projects that involve European values.

“The event organised today has been done exactly to give to all of you the idea of the mission of garagErasmus4Milano & Lombardia– concluded Carlo and Fabrizio Bitetto, inspirators and founders of the local chapter – we will bring European values and opportunities to the people, organising round-table conferences, workshops, meetings. We want people in the bar on Monday morning to talk not only about our beloved football but also about Europe. Territorial institutions, the universities and the companies to be active in the project will.  There is a strong need for Europe, now more than never”.

The kick-off had all the premises to be the start of a winning project that will keep together all the actors involved in internationalisation in the economic capital city of Italy. There is something new moving in Milano and ESAA contributed decisively to it: the aim is very clear and the guys are really into the idea to bring Europe closer to people, especially to those that now are far from it

For more information, events and news follow us on Facebook!

garagErasmus4Tuscany Welcome Day in Pisa

garagErasmus4Tuscany is an initiative that aims to make international students aware of their local environment and to promote the strengths and economic potential of the territory. This Welcome Day event, as the first step of this greater initiative, gave the the chance to international students and researchers in Pisa to discover what the territory has to offer them, to make contacts with local businesses and to find present and/or future job opportunities. The message garagErasmus Foundation successfully conveyed during the event is that talents and competences gained from international experience are of great appeal to local enterprises that want to internationalise.  Similarly, as international students living and studying in the region of Tuscany, they can play a significant role in the development of our territory. During the welcome day, we presented the project goals and upcoming activities for this academic year, which include organized visits to local companies and innovative start-ups. You can download the calendar of the visits here.

Furthermore, garagErasmus presented its online platform Check-in Europe – the professional network of the Erasmus generation. Updates regarding garaGerasmus4Tuscany will be also published on Check-in Europe.

We could count with the presence of the following valuable speakers:

Roberto Barale, Deputy Dean for Scientific Research
Marco Filippeschi, Mayor of Pisa City
Cristina Martelli, General Secretary of Camera di Commercio di Pisa
Stefano Giovannelli, Director of Toscana Promozione
Paolo Ferragina, Deputy Dean for Applied Research and Innovation at Università di Pisa
Roberto Camisi, General Secretary of Camera di Commercio di Lucca
Lucia Magneschi, Council Member of Regione Toscana and Pisa City Council Member for Culture, Research and Higher Education
Marilù Chiofalo, Pisa City Council Member
Francesco Cappè, Executive Director of garagErasmus Foundation
Lia Chiara Miccichè, Director of Operations of garagErasmus Foundation

Prof. Katherine Isaacs moderated the event.

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

Genç Zihin Derneği (GEZIDER) joins garagErasmus as gE4Istanbul!

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

ESAA Representatives Debate the Future Erasmus at gE Annual Meeting

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

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 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