Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps will be even more inclusive

The European Commission's newly adopted framework increases the inclusiveness and diversity in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarit

On 22 October 2021, the European Commission adopted a framework to increase the inclusiveness and diversity of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps for the period 2021-2027, confirming its promise to ensure quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning (see the Principle 1 of the European Pillar of Social Rights). Both programmes will allow many more people to participate, but will also target those with fewer opportunities.  

How will both programmes be more inclusive?   

Both programmes will provide more financial support to people with fewer opportunities, allowing them to participate on equal terms with their peers. There will also be a bigger focus on the support provided to participants at all phases of their project, from linguistic support to reinforced mentorship, to to ensure that they get the most out of their experience. In addition, organisations involved in inclusive projects will get more additional support, from additional funding to training for their staff, etc. Moreover, both programmes will offer a wider and more flexible range of projects and mobility of different lengths and types, so that everyone can find a project suitable for them. Both programmes will give priority in selection process to high quality projects focusing on inclusiveness and diversity involving participants with fewer opportunities. Furthermore, more user-friendly, accessible and multilingual documents and materials will be available at national and local level.  

National agencies will be involved in this process and will develop their own inclusion action plans, based on this common European framework. In addition, the national agencies have been expanded to include a network of inclusion and diversity officers whose task will be not only to help develop these national action plans, but also to exchange best practice and monitor the implementation of these measures at national level.  

For more information, see the European Commission press release