1.1. General description of the Erasmus+ programmes
Erasmus+ is a grant program of the European Union covering the fields of education, youth and sport, implemented between 2021-2027. The Erasmus+ Program aims to provide people with new skills, strengthen their personal development and increase their employment opportunities, regardless of their age and educational background.
The Erasmus+ Program was first launched in 1987 as a student exchange program to encourage the exchange of higher education students for one or two semesters. The program underwent structural changes over time and expanded to include school education, vocational education, adult education and youth as well as student exchange and was implemented under different components such as Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, Lifelong Learning until 2013. In the 2014-2020 period, with the addition of the fields of education and youth as well as sports, it was unified under a single program and named Erasmus+. The European Commission has decided that the new program, which will cover the years 2021-2027, will continue to be called Erasmus+.
The Erasmus Program is named after the Dutch scholar Erasmus (1469-1536), who was one of the most important representatives of Renaissance Humanism and in a way the ‘first’ of today’s Erasmus+ students, as he was both a student and an academic in different European countries.
For more information, check this promotional video of European Parliament Erasmus+.
1.2. Opportunities in the fields of youth, education and sport supported by the European Union
The European Union (EU) offers a wide range of opportunities in the fields of youth, education and sport through various programs and initiatives. This support is designed to raise the educational levels of European citizens, promote the social and professional development of young people and spread sport to all segments of society.
In this document, we will explore in detail the opportunities that the EU provides in these areas:
Youth Programs
- DiscoverEU: DiscoverEU is an initiative launched and managed by the European Commission. This program offers free train tickets for young people aged 18 to explore Europe and gain cultural and social experiences across the continent. The program aims to increase mobility among young people in Europe, promote cultural diversity and raise young people’s awareness of European Union (EU) identity and citizenship. DiscoverEU is implemented under the Erasmus+ program and receives funding from this program.
- Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges: The Erasmus+ program provides opportunities for young people to get to know different cultures and gain international experiences. Youth exchanges bring together young people aged 13-30 to work on a specific topic. These programs aim to increase cultural understanding and tolerance while contributing to the personal development of young people.
- European Solidarity Program: The European Solidarity Program supports young people to participate in community service projects. These projects can be in various fields such as environmental protection, social assistance, education and social integration. The program offers young people aged 18-30 the opportunity to volunteer at home or abroad. Participants receive support for living and travel expenses for the duration of the project.
Education Programs
- Erasmus+ Higher Education: The Erasmus+ Higher Education program offers university students the opportunity to study or do an internship abroad. This program helps students gain international experience, improve their language skills and get to know different education systems. Erasmus+ also gives students an advantage in finding a job after graduation.
- Erasmus+ Vocational Education and Training (VET): The Vocational Education and Training (VET) program allows students of vocational colleges and vocational high schools to do internships abroad. This program helps participants to improve their professional skills and become competitive in the international job market. The program also promotes cooperation between educational institutions.
Sport Programs
- Erasmus+ Sport: The Erasmus+ Sport program supports projects to promote sport and increase social cohesion through sport. It funds projects submitted by sports clubs, federations and other civil society organizations. Erasmus+ Sport particularly emphasizes the contribution of sport to physical and mental health and promotes social solidarity.
- European Week for Healthy Living and Sport: The European Week for Healthy Living and Sport is an annual event that promotes sport and physical activity across Europe. During this week, it aims to encourage people of all ages to lead active lifestyles through activities organized by schools, sports clubs, municipalities and various organizations.
- Development of Sports Infrastructure: The EU provides financial support for the development of sports infrastructure and modernization of sports facilities. This support is particularly important to increase the participation of young people in sports activities and to promote the use of sport as a tool for social integration.
The European Union supports the personal and professional development of its citizens by offering a wide range of opportunities in youth, education and sport. Initiatives such as the Erasmus+ program and the European Solidarity Corps enable young people to gain international experience and take part in social projects, while education programs offer students and trainees the opportunity to study and do internships abroad. Sport programs fund important projects to promote sport and increase social cohesion. EU support in these areas aims to create a more educated, socially active and healthy society across Europe.
