The Erasmus Student Network has joined forces with leading European higher education organisations in a powerful joint statement calling for a significantly strengthened budget for the next Erasmus+ programme. The statement — published on 7 January 2026 — urges EU decision-makers to allocate at least €60 billion to Erasmus+ in the negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), ensuring the programme can fulfil its expanding role in education, skills development and European integration.

Erasmus+ is one of the EU’s most successful and far-reaching programmes, enabling millions of students, staff, and learners to study, train and volunteer across Europe. The undersigned organisations emphasise that underfunding would undermine the programme’s ability to support inclusive mobility, institutional cooperation, innovation and Europe’s strategic priorities in education and skills.

Signatories to the statement include associations representing universities, students and higher education institutions across Europe — from the European University Association and the European Students’ Union to ESN International and networks like CESAER, The Coimbra Group, EURASHE, UNICA, UNIMED, YERUN and more.

As negotiations continue in the European Parliament and Council, this unified call highlights the shared commitment of education stakeholders to ensure Erasmus+ remains ambitious, accessible and impactful well into the next decade.

📄 Read the full joint statement here:
👉 https://esn.org/news/joint-statement-stronger-europe-needs-properly-funded-erasmus