Erasmus+

     The Erasmus Programme (EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a student mobility initiative launched by the European Union in 1987. Erasmus+, introduced in January 2014, represents a comprehensive framework that unifies all existing EU programmes related to education, training, youth, and sport.

     The origins of student exchange in Europe date back to 1969, when Italian educator Sofia Corradi—widely known as “Mamma Erasmus”—began advocating for structured academic mobility among European universities. Her influential role within the Conference of Italian University Rectors enabled her to promote the concept across both academic and institutional spheres.

     The programme ultimately took shape through the efforts of the student association EGEE (now AEGEE), founded by Franck Biancheri, who later served as president of the trans-European movement Newropeans. In 1986–1987, the organization successfully persuaded French President François Mitterrand to support the establishment of the Erasmus Programme. The collaboration between AEGEE, the European Commission, and key figures such as Domenico Lenarduzzi from the Ministry of Public Education played a crucial role in securing the programme’s approval in 1987.

     Following its adoption, Erasmus became a core element of the Socrates I (1994–1999) and Socrates II (2000–2006) programmes. From 2007 onward, it was integrated into the Lifelong Learning Programme (2007–2013). By 2014, the initiative had facilitated the mobility of more than 3.3 million students and engaged over 4,000 higher education institutions across 31 European countries.

Erasmus+ (2014–2020), with a budget of 14.7 billion euros, created a unified structure that brought together all major EU programmes in education and training—such as Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius, Grundtvig, and Youth in Action—alongside international cooperation schemes including Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink, and collaborative programmes with industrialized countries. Signed into regulation on 11 December 2013, Erasmus+ provides funding for a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from student placements abroad to professional development opportunities for teachers, school leaders, trainers, and other educational staff. Participation requires institutions to apply for grants that support the international mobility of their personnel.

     The programme also extends beyond Europe. In Central Asia, for example, Erasmus+ has supported 40 projects involving 47 universities in Kazakhstan, with a combined investment exceeding 35.5 million euros.

     For the 2021–2027 period, the European Commission proposed a significant expansion of the programme, announcing plans on 30 May 2018 to double its budget to 30 billion euros. Final adoption of the new programme will follow negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council during the 2019–2024 parliamentary term.