Have you ever thought about studying, training, or volunteering abroad? If yes, here’s some exciting news: the European Commission has just proposed a bigger, stronger, and more ambitious Erasmus+ programme for the years 2028–2034.

For nearly 40 years, Erasmus+ has been one of Europe’s most successful projects, giving over 16 million people the chance to travel, learn, and grow. From improving academic results to building resilience, critical thinking, and lifelong friendships, Erasmus+ has changed lives. And now, the plan is to make it even better.

🚀 Erasmus+ 2028–2034: What’s New?

The Commission suggests a budget of €40.8 billion – almost double the amount of the current programme. This money will help expand opportunities for:

• Learning mobility starting from an early age
  
• Training, sport, and youth work across Europe
  
• Capacity-building projects for schools, universities, NGOs, and communities

And here’s the cool part: Erasmus+ will also include volunteering opportunities that are now part of the European Solidarity Corps. This means one single programme will become a one-stop-shop for all EU-funded youth opportunities – easier to access, more inclusive, and open to more people.

🌍 A Bigger Picture: Europe’s Long-Term Budget

Erasmus+ doesn’t stand alone. It’s part of a huge EU plan for the future: the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 – a long-term budget worth nearly €2 trillion.

Why such a big budget? Because Europe faces big challenges: climate change, digitalisation, migration, competitiveness, defence, and energy security. The idea is simple – invest in people, skills, and innovation today to make Europe stronger, fairer, and more resilient tomorrow.

President Ursula von der Leyen put it clearly:

“Our new long-term budget will help protect European citizens, strengthen Europe’s social model and make our European industry thrive.”

💡 What Does This Mean for Young People?

Here are some highlights from the new EU budget that matter to you:

• More skills opportunities: Erasmus+ will be the backbone of the Union of Skills, helping young people prepare for future jobs and challenges.
  
• Simpler access to funding: Programmes will be more streamlined, so it’s easier to find and apply for opportunities.
  
• Fair support for all regions: Every country and region, especially less developed ones, will benefit from tailored investment plans.
  
• Support for culture and values: A stronger AgoraEU programme will back democracy, equality, creativity, and media freedom.
  
• Boost for innovation and jobs: A new European Competitiveness Fund (€409 billion) and Horizon Europe (€175 billion) will support clean tech, digital skills, health, and research.
  

And yes, Erasmus+ will keep its heart: mobility, solidarity, and inclusiveness.

🌟 Why It Matters for You

If you’ve ever dreamed of:

• Spending a semester abroad,
  
• Joining an international volunteering team,
  
• Learning new skills in a different country,
  
• Or simply meeting people from different cultures…
  

…the new Erasmus+ will give you more chances than ever. With more money, more opportunities, and more flexibility, it’s designed to make sure that no one is left out.

✅ Next Steps

The proposal still needs to be discussed and agreed by the EU Member States and the European Parliament. But one thing is clear: Europe wants to keep investing in young people and give them tools to shape the future.

So, whether you’re 15 or 25, keep an eye on Erasmus+ in the coming years – the next chapter could be your chance to explore, learn, and grow beyond borders.