European parliament report on Erasmus+ – read EAEA’s full statement (pdf)
Summary of EAEA’s response
The CULT Committee report has recognized the importance of adult education in the Erasmus+ Programme through supporting a holistic lifelong learning approach, in particular by underlining the value of non-formal and informal education activities and the links between them.
EAEA welcomes the increase of the funding allocated to adult education to at least 6% and the tripling of the overall budget for the future Erasmus programme. Nevertheless, the budget share for adult education still needs to be significantly higher in order for adult education to be able to make an impact.
EAEA very much appreciates that the report offers mobility opportunities for adult education learners and staff. Through this initiative, wider groups of people and more learners will have the opportunity to contribute to an open and inclusive European society through intercultural exchange.
EAEA highly endorses the introduction of small-scale projects in the new programme. They will increase the accessibility to the programme for smaller organisations with limited financial and human resources. Additionally EAEA is grateful to see that new programme foresees adult education alliances.
EAEA sees it of outmost importance that Jean Monnet actions are open to all fields of education and training; not only higher education.
EAEA welcomes the proposed European inclusion framework and national inclusion strategies, adapting to the needs of disadvantaged groups with measures towards outreach, support and training offers.
EAEA is happy to see the simplification of application procedures, with the aim to make the programme more user-friendly and inclusive, accessible and fair for all groups.
We are pleased that the report reinforces the international dimension aimed at supporting the Union’s external action and development objectives through cooperation between the EU and third countries.
The report remains vague to what extent it aims to actively contribute to the sustainable development agenda (SDGs, Agenda 2030). Adult education contributes to the achievement of all SDGs by building the foundations of change.
EAEA wishes to underline the significance of the proposed “effective cooperation between all relevant stakeholders at all levels of the Programme’s implementation” because we believe that Erasmus+ is one of the key programmes of the European Union that has the potential to bring citizens in Europe together and closer to the aims of the EU.
More information
Gina Ebner
EAEA Secretary-General
tel: +32 2 893 25 24
gina.ebner(at)eaea.org