Erasmus Plus: The Next Stage of Europe’s Erasmus Programme












            ******************************************************************************************

            * Erasmus Plus: The Next Stage of Europe’s Erasmus Programme
            ******************************************************************************************
            2014 will see the birth of the next stage in the European Union’s Erasmus programme, one t

            comprehensive and ambitious yet. Succeeding the Lifelong Learning Programme, which ran fro
            will be the Erasmus Plus programme [ URL "http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/inde
            like all previous Erasmus programmes, will last 7 years ending in 2020.

            Erasmus Plus could not have come at a more critical time for the youth population in Europ
            European economy has rebounded in the last couple of years, employment rates (particularly
            the age of 25) have remained largely stagnant. In January 2013, youth unemployment in the 

            with levels as high as 50% and above in Spain and Greece. January 2014 has seen the overal
            to 23.4% (Eurostat 2014). Although youth unemployment levels are declining, it still remai

            biggest issues Europe is facing today. With an estimated 2 million job vacancies available
            highlighted by a third of employers is the difficulty in recruiting staff with the skills 
            such positions; this identifies a skills gap that is preventing young people from gaining 


            The need to address this issue is clearly reflected in the Erasmus Plus programme. The bud
            Erasmus Plus has increased 40% compared to the Lifelong Learning Project’s budget, with an

            budget of €14.7 billion over the programme’s seven year duration. Erasmus Plus is clearly 
            provide opportunities for many more people under the age of 25 than any previous stage of 
            and could provide; it is stated that Erasmus Plus aims to fund and support the study and t

            4 million Europeans. Of this 4 million, the aim is to support 2 million students doing the
            Erasmus exchange, 650,000 under-25s in vocational education and training, 500,000 in volun
            exchange schemes and 250,000 Master’s students. Erasmus Plus has a significantly larger sc

            predecessors, aiming to benefit the youth population on a much larger scale, and equip thi
            the knowledge, skills and experience needed to gain employment and become a valuable membe
            community.


            Unlike its predecessors, Erasmus Plus will for the first time include support for sport, a
            partnerships with organisations and enterprises designed to nurture a generation of studen

            people with industry and business skills to aid in the growing struggle for employment acr
            Union.


            Of the €14.7 billion budget, €275 million has been allocated, over the 7 year period, for 
            to the programme’s new sport dimension, which will support grassroots projects and combat 
            challenges, such as match-fixing, doping, violence and racism. As well as sport, this new 

            will also provide financial support for students wishing to undertake their entire Masters
            another country, by creating a new loan guarantee scheme, which has been established in co
            the European Investment Bank Group, that will allow students to obtain loans from financia

            with affordable interest rates, without discrimination on grounds of study choice, require
            from students and provides the option to defer repayments for up to two years. So for stud
            to undertake their Master’s studies in England for example, where study and living costs a

            highest in Europe, this new scheme makes the option far more affordable and accessible.
            The aims and hopes of the Erasmus Plus programme and what it will bring over the next 7 ye
            up by Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth,

            is crucial if we are to equip our young generation with the qualifications and skills they
            in life”, and I’m sure the youth population of Europe hopes it will succeed.              
                            Morgan Brooks is a second year student of a BA in Politics at the Universi
                            Political Science for 1 semester at the Faculty of Social Science in Charl
                            economy, international politics and digital media and technology. He joine
                                                                                                      
                            opportunity to gain work experience in another country.