A stronger Europe needs a properly funded Erasmus+

Brussels, 7 January 2026

Europe’s capacity to educate, attract and retain talent is decisive for its long-term prosperity, competitiveness and resilience. For universities of science and technology, Erasmus+ is a cornerstone of Europe’s skills and talent ecosystem, enabling high-quality education, cross-border cooperation and mobility at scale.

CESAER therefore fully supports the joint call for an Erasmus+ budget of at least €60 billion for the period 2028–2034.

• Full joint statement (PDF), endorsed by leading organisations representing Europe’s higher education and student community.

Orla Feely, President of CESAER and President of University College Dublin, stated:

“Europe’s future depends on its ability to develop and mobilise talent at all levels. This is particularly true in science and advanced technologies, which are essential to address societal priorities such as climate transition, digital transformation, health and security. Erasmus+ is a vital investment in people and knowledge, and its scale must match Europe’s ambitions.”

Justyna Lubośna, Director of CESAER, Co-Chair of CESAER Task Force European Higher Education, and Rector’s Representative for International Educational Programs at Gdańsk University of Technology, added:

“Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme for education and training and, in many respects, its most successful and impactful funding programme. Its contribution to learning mobility, institutional cooperation and quality enhancement is unparalleled. For science and technology education, including engineering, Erasmus+ plays a critical role in preparing the skilled professionals Europe urgently needs.”

Touko Närhi, Advisor for Benchmark & Higher Education at CESAER, commented:

“We commend the leadership of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu in seeking to secure a stronger Erasmus+ budget in a highly constrained financial environment. CESAER stands ready to work closely with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to ensure that Erasmus+ is funded at a level of at least €60 billion for 2028–2034.”

As of 7 January 2026, the joint statement is signed by ACA, AURORA, CESAER, Coimbra Group, DAAD, EAIE, ECIU, ESN, ESU, EUA, EUF, EURASHE, The Guild, LERU, UNICA, UNIMED and YERUN. Additional organisations are invited to support the initiative and shared and promote the joint statement.

Related resources

• Erasmus+ for a prosperous, competitive and skilled Europe through science and technology – 23 June 2025 position (PDF)
• Union of Skills: building a strong science and technology base for a competitive and prosperous Europe - 25 June 2025 position (PDF)

Contact

For more information, please contact the Secretariat.