What is the Erasmus+ programme?

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme for education, training, youth and sport for the period 2021–2027. During this time, the programme will support the participation of 10 million European young people, students and adults in education, training, traineeships or volunteering abroad, enabling them to expand their skills and competence. Erasmus+ also offers educational institutions and organisations opportunities for European cooperation with their international partners.

The Finnish National Agency for Education EDUFI is the National Agency responsible for the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes in Finland.

Young people are holding an inflatable globe in their hands

Photo: Getty Images / Franckreporter

Objectives of the Erasmus+ programme

The objectives of the Erasmus+ programme are to

support people’s educational, professional and personal development in the fields of education, training, youth and sport in Europe and the partner countries
promote growth, employment, social cohesion and innovation
strengthen European identity and active citizenship.

In addition, Erasmus+ promotes:

learning mobility of pupils, students, teachers and trainers, and cooperation, participation, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations in the field of education and training
non-formal learning and active participation of young people and youth workers, and the cooperation, participation, creativity and innovation of youth organisations
learning mobility of sport coaches and staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations

Strategies linked to Erasmus+

Erasmus+ supports the implementation of several of the European Commission’s strategies. Read about them in more detail:

General priorities of the entire Erasmus+ programme

The Erasmus+ programme for the period 2021–2027 places special emphasis on inclusion, digitalisation, environmental friendliness and participation in society.

Inclusion and diversity

The aim is to enable an increasing number of individuals and wider target groups to participate in the Erasmus+ programme. The new Erasmus+ programme makes participation in the programme easier so that newcomer organisations, smaller organisations and persons who otherwise would not participate can benefit from the opportunities offered by the programme. For example, local actions in the field of youth, short-term mobilities and small-scale partnerships that enable participation with a low threshold will be added to the programme.

Digitalisation

During the new Erasmus+ programme period, opportunities provided by digitalisation will be increasingly used in international cooperation. Virtual learning will complement physical mobility and periods abroad. Online cooperation between project partners will be used in Erasmus+ partnerships for cooperation to an increasing extent. The programme also supports the development of digital skills, the introduction of innovative virtual teaching methods and the use of online technology.

Environmental responsibility

The new Erasmus+ programme promotes environmentally responsible internationalisation. One way of doing this is to decrease the carbon footprint of periods abroad by favouring environmentally friendly modes of travel and virtual cooperation. The programme will also increase the environmental awareness of participants and organisations and their commitment to sustainable development.

Active citizenship

The aim of the Erasmus+ programme is to increase participation in society by supporting active citizenship and promoting the development of social and intercultural skills, critical thinking and media literary. The programme prioritises projects that offer opportunities for participation in society and young people's civic engagement. Raising awareness and understanding of the European Union matters, the common values of the EU and the principles of diversity and belonging to a community also play a key role.

What does the Erasmus+ programme offer?

For young people and adults, Erasmus+ offers an opportunity to go abroad to broaden their competence. Experience abroad strengthens the key skills and competence required in the changing world of work, widens the world view and improves self-knowledge.

The financial support provided by the programme promotes equal participation.

For organisations, Erasmus+ gives the keys to international cooperation and improves the competence of the staff. International cooperation increases the attractiveness of organisations and enables the sharing of good practices in order to develop one’s own organisation.

Read about the experiences of Erasmus+ participants

Who can apply?

Organisations such as educational institutions, higher education institutions, NGOs, companies and youth services of municipalities can apply for funding. In the field of youth, informal groups of young people can also apply for a grant.

Individuals apply for a grant through an organisation or an educational institution. For example, students apply for the grant for their exchange abroad through their own educational institution.

If you have not applied for funding in the Erasmus+ programme before, familiarise yourself with our page for newcomer organisations in the Erasmus+ programme. You will find information on the Erasmus+ actions on the page introducing the actions.

Erasmus+ in figures

The current Erasmus+ programme runs from 2021 to 2027.
During this period, over xx million European young people, students and adults will be able to participate in education, training, traineeships or volunteering abroad.
In addition, the programme offers over xxx institutions and organisations opportunities for cooperation with their international partners.
The budget of Erasmus+ at the European level is EUR xx billion. In Finland, the Finnish National Agency for Education EDUFI supports internationalisation and the development of education and training and youth activities through the Erasmus+ programme to the annual amount of about EUR 50 million. The budget increases towards the end of the programme period.

Erasmus+ programme family

The Erasmus+ programme also finances several European networks and actions:

eTwinning is a community and an online tool for internationalisation for teachers and ECEC centre staff.
EPALE – the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe is an open multilingual community for adult education professionals and everyone interested in adult learning.
Euroguidance supports guidance professionals in internationalisation. The Euroguidance services are aimed at information, guidance and counselling practitioners in matters related to internationalisation in education, the world of work and the youth sector.
Europass harmonises the identification of competence and facilitates the monitoring of one’s own development. Europass allows users to create templates for a Europass CV, write cover letters and search for jobs and learning opportunities in Europe.
Eurodesk is a European youth communication network that disseminates information to young people about opportunities for internationalisation and encourages them to active EU citizenship and exerting influence.
RAY (Research-based Analysis and Monitoring of European Youth Programmes) is a Europe-wide research community focusing on research-based monitoring of the EU’s youth programmes. The operation is coordinated by EDUFI.
European VET Skills Week is an annual event where local, regional or national organisations showcase the very best of vocational education and training (VET).
The European Week of Sport is the European Commission’s initiative for promoting sport and physical activity everywhere in Europe. During the week, a large number of events and campaigns are organised across Europe under the common #BeActive hashtag.

The European Solidarity Corps programme belongs to the same family of programmes as Erasmus+. The implementation of both programmes is the responsibility of the National Agency for Erasmus+, which is EDUFI in Finland. The Erasmus+ actions in the field of youth and the European Solidarity Corps programme offer opportunities for internationalisation to young people, youth workers and organisations.