EU institutions are set to begin negotiations for the 2025 budget in November, and one of the key points of contention is the proposed cut in funding for the Erasmus student exchange programme. If approved, nearly all countries participating in the programme will be affected, with Spain being hit particularly hard as the main destination for Erasmus students since 2001.
The Erasmus programme, which began in 1987, has facilitated mobility between educational institutions across Europe, allowing almost a million students to participate each year. However, the announcement of the EU Council’s proposed 295 million euro cut in funding has raised concerns among student associations and politicians across Europe.
Students like Alberto Fernandez from the Erasmus Student Network in Seville are opposing the budget cuts, emphasizing the importance of making international mobility accessible to all students, regardless of their social class. The impact of these cuts goes beyond just the students – businesses in cities like Seville benefit economically from the influx of Erasmus students, bringing in an estimated revenue of close to ten million euros.
MEPs on the European Parliament’s budget committee have also voiced opposition to the proposed cuts, calling for increases to key programmes like Erasmus. With negotiations on the 2025 budget set to begin soon, concerns are growing about the potential impact on the mobility of students, with already fewer participants in the Erasmus programme this year compared to last year due to the pandemic. The decision on the budget cut is yet to be ratified, but stakeholders are hoping for a positive outcome that will sustain the Erasmus programme for future generations of students.
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