European Parliament Sets Out Its Position on Erasmus+ 2028–2034
23/10/2026
On 22 October, the European Parliament adopted its position on the next Erasmus+ programme for 2028–2034, with 454 votes in favour. The vote marks an important step in shaping the future of one of the EU’s flagship programmes for education, training, youth and sport. It also opens the way for the next stage of negotiations with EU Member States.
Parliament is calling for a budget of €47.39 billion, compared with the European Commission’s proposed €40.8 billion. The future programme would also integrate the European Solidarity Corps, bringing volunteering and solidarity activities together with education, training, youth and sport under a single programme.
However, Parliament’s vote does not represent a final decision. Its position will serve as a negotiating mandate for the discussions with EU governments, with the final budget also linked to negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.
For EARLALL, the next Erasmus+ programme must provide the resources, accessibility and regional cooperation needed to make lifelong learning opportunities available to people and communities across Europe.
A stronger Erasmus+ with a broader reach
Parliament’s position seeks to strengthen Erasmus+ so that it can respond more effectively to Europe’s strategic challenges. As well as advocating for a larger budget, MEPs have proposed measures to reinforce inclusion and recognise a wider range of learning and professional pathways.
One important development is the explicit inclusion of vocational education and training (VET) learners, teachers and trainers as eligible participants. This reinforces the role of vocational education within Erasmus+, alongside other education and training sectors, and offers opportunities to broaden access to international learning mobility.
Parliament has also proposed a target that at least 20% of mobility participants should be people with fewer opportunities. Achieving this ambition will require more than setting a target: funding mechanisms, grant levels and practical support must enable people facing financial, geographical or other barriers to participate.
The integration of the European Solidarity Corps also brings opportunities to strengthen connections between learning, volunteering and active citizenship, while ensuring that solidarity activities remain visible and accessible within the future programme.
Rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP, Poland) underlined Parliament’s ambition to strengthen the programme’s capacity to address Europe’s strategic challenges, calling for the investment needed to build on Erasmus+’s achievements. Parliament also expressed support for the United Kingdom’s return to the programme.
EARLALL’s contribution to the future of Erasmus+
EARLALL has been actively contributing to discussions on the future of Erasmus+, advocating for a programme that better reflects the needs of regions and local communities.
In May 2025, EARLALL published its position on Erasmus+ in the EU’s 2028–2035 Multiannual Financial Framework. The position called for a decentralised, inclusive and adaptable programme, with regional and local authorities recognised as strategic partners in its design, governance and implementation.
EARLALL highlighted several priorities: stronger regional engagement, capacity-building support for local actors, improved coordination between EU programmes, dedicated funding to reach learners facing barriers, and simpler administrative procedures. It also stressed the importance of maintaining initiatives such as Centres of Vocational Excellence to connect education and training with regional labour market needs.
In January 2026, EARLALL brought these priorities directly to the European Parliament’s stakeholder consultation on the future Erasmus+ programme for 2028–2034, chaired by rapporteur MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski. During the consultation, EARLALL presented proposed amendments to the draft Erasmus+ Regulation, calling for stronger recognition of regional and local authorities as strategic partners in the programme’s governance and implementation.
EARLALL’s contribution also emphasised territorial cohesion, more accessible funding and stronger support for regional education and training ecosystems. These proposals aimed to ensure that the future programme responds to the diverse needs of Europe’s regions and reaches learners and organisations that may face barriers to participation.
These priorities remain highly relevant as the legislative process moves forward. A stronger Erasmus+ should not only increase the number of opportunities available, but also ensure that regions, education and training providers and learners can access and benefit from them.
Ensuring that ambition translates into opportunities
The proposed budget increase is an important part of the discussion, particularly as the future programme is expected to cover a broader range of activities. However, the level of ambition must be matched by adequate and predictable resources to sustain and expand opportunities across all programme fields.
For EARLALL, accessibility is equally important. Smaller organisations and local actors need clear guidance, appropriate administrative support and the capacity to participate. Funding arrangements must also reflect the different circumstances of learners and regions, including those facing geographical or socio-economic barriers.
Regional and local authorities have an important role in connecting European priorities with local needs. They can bring together education and training providers, employers, public institutions and civil society to develop learning opportunities that respond to regional skills needs and support social inclusion.
Strengthening this territorial dimension can help ensure that Erasmus+ contributes not only to individual learning mobility, but also to organisational development, regional cooperation and the long-term capacity of education and training systems.
The next steps
Following Parliament’s vote, negotiations with EU governments will shape the final Erasmus+ regulation and its financial framework for 2028–2034. The outcome will determine how the programme’s objectives, budget and implementation arrangements are translated into practice.
EARLALL will continue to contribute to these discussions, advocating for a well-resourced, inclusive and regionally responsive Erasmus+ programme that supports lifelong learning, vocational education and training, skills development and cooperation across Europe.
The next programme offers an opportunity to build on Erasmus+’s achievements while addressing persistent barriers to participation. Ensuring that regional and local actors are recognised as key partners will be essential to making its opportunities accessible to more people, organisations and communities.