Erasmus+ Advocacy & Policy

Empowering Parents, Learners, and Education Communities Across Europe

At the European Parents’ Association, we know that education is a lifelong journey rooted in the family and the wider community. In today’s rapidly changing world, strong education systems and active grassroots involvement are not just relevant – they are vital to building the very foundation of resilient, cohesive, and well-rounded societies. Strategic investment in education through Erasmus+ is an investment in our shared future, essential for ensuring Europe stands up to global competition and counters civic erosion.

The Erasmus+ programme is a key driver of this vision. It is crucial not only for schools and formal education, but also for adult learning, parent education, staff mobility, and cross-border cooperation. Many of our member organizations actively leverage Erasmus+ to build inclusive learning environments, strengthen parental engagement, upskill adult learners, and nurture European values directly at the local level.

To ensure the programme continues to meet the needs of families and education stakeholders across Europe, EPA advocates for an ambitious, inclusive, and well-funded Erasmus+ framework.

Our Core Demands for Erasmus+

To ensure the programme equips citizens and communities to meet modern challenges, EPA advocates for:

  • An ambitious budget backed by the Draghi Report: Aligning with the landmark Mario Draghi report on The Future of European Competitiveness, EPA demands a fivefold increase in the Erasmus+ budget. As the Draghi report highlights, a fivefold expansion is essential to close critical skills gaps, boost Europe’s innovative capacity, and expand reach beyond the current 15% of young people to guarantee quality competence development across the continent. 
  • Universal Access, Equity, and Inclusion: Erasmus+ must remain an engine for social cohesion. As socio-economic background remains a primary predictor of learning performance, we call for targeted, realistic funding for learners and families with fewer opportunities – including those facing socio-economic barriers, geographical isolation, or special needs – ensuring no family is left behind. 
  • Support for Adult Learning and family engagement: Education does not stop at school doors. EPA lobbies for sustained investment in adult education, informal and non-formal learning pathways, and initiatives that support parents as key educators and active lifelong learners. 
  • Empowerment of grassroots and multiplier organizations: Strong democratic societies are built from the ground up. We demand structural support for civil society networks and parent associations that connect citizens to European opportunities, reduce administrative barriers, and drive long-term educational reform. 
  • Safeguarding European Values and civic resilience: Erasmus+ is more than a mobility initiative – it is a catalyst for democratic resilience, active citizenship, and European solidarity, safeguarding our shared values against division and civic decline.

 

Stronger Together: The Erasmus+ Coalition

EPA is a proud member of the Erasmus+ Coalition, an alliance of over 80 EU-level organizations representing thousands of networks across Europe. Together, we advocate for a strong, stand-alone EU programme for education, training, youth, and sports that receives the funding necessary to empower citizens and address Europe’s social and educational challenges. 

We fully support the Coalition’s joint call for a fivefold increase in the Erasmus+ budget to ensure the programme can expand access to all citizens, drive educational innovation, and foster societal resilience across the continent. 

🔗 Learn more about the Erasmus+ Coalition and read our full joint demands

🔗 E+ Coalition_Erasmus+ is a bargain_Letter for Finance Ministers