What is Erasmus+?
The budget and the focus of this programme is changing every 8 years
2021-2027 Erasmus+ programme
The actual programme is focusing on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life, with an estimated budget of over €26 billion
2028-2032 Erasmus+ programme
The proposal for the new programme is already on the table with a budget of €40.8 billion, and with a bigger focus on skills (with the purpose of building Union of Skills) and early age mobilities (including pupils and apprentices), but still having in it priorities social inclusion and equal access to opportunities, green and digital transitions, civil engagement and european identity.
Another big difference between the actual programme, is the new Erasmus+ programme will also include the European Solidarity Corps.
More information about the proposal and our recommendations as ESN can be found here.
What is Erasmus+ for me?
Erasmus+ programme offers a lot of different opportunities for students and young adults and below you can find most of them:
Studying abroad exchange
In this exchange you can study between 2 and 12 months in another country without needing to attempt your home university classes.
Your university has a list of partner universities where you can go to study for a semester or for a whole year and because you have similar classes you don’t need to redo the classes you lost when you were abroad.
In one sentence: you spread one year in other countries, study there (and have a lot of fun) and after that you come back and you continue the studies like you are at home
Wow! But where can I go?
The complete information about the exchange mobilities can be found on each university's International Relationship website (check the Universities section of your website for contact information).
Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships (SMT)
In this type of exchange, you can complete a traineeship (internship) abroad for 2 to 12 months in another country, while remaining enrolled at your home university.
Your university allows you to carry out a professional traineeship at a host organization abroad (such as a company, NGO, research center, or institution). The traineeship is approved in advance through a Learning Agreement for Traineeships, so the work you do abroad is recognized as part of your studies and you do not lose academic progress.
In one sentence: you spend part of your academic year gaining practical work experience in another country, develop professional and intercultural skills, and then return to your university to continue your studies as if you had completed that period at home.
Wow! But where can I go?
The complete information about the exchange mobilities can be found on each university's International Relationship website (check the Universities section of your website for contact information).
Short term mobilities
This type of mobilities are usually organized by private organizations, or different NGO and is usually a project with a theme related to one of the main priorities of the Erasmus+ programme. The duration is between 5 and 30 days. It is an opportunity to meet people from different cultures, have a cheap trip and learn new things.
Some of the opportunities open for Romanian students can be found in one of these facebook groups: Erasmus+ projects, Erasmus+ project opportunities.
Erasmus+ Mundus
Mundus is a selection of joint master programmes, in different fields and with countries from all over Europe. Most of the degrees offer scholarships for the best students, but each programme has its own way to select the students and provide the scholarships.
European Solidarity Corps
ESC is a platform that offers young people the opportunity to involve themselves voluntarily in different projects all over the world. The projects are between 2 and 12 months long, with around 30-38 hours of work in a week. But you are not working for free. In exchange for volunteer work, the participants will receive free food, free accommodation (in another country) and some pocket money that can be spent in whatever way they want.
More information about this programme and the projects can be found on the official website.
Vocational education and training (VET)
Erasmus+ supports vocational education and training institutions and provides them financial support. The VET opportunities are open to young people all over Europe, but the application process depends on each institution organizing the traineeship.
For more information about VET opportunities can be found here.
Digital Platforms & Career Tools
Erasmus+ App
More Erasmus+ opportunities can be found here.