Setting the scene
Carola van Rijnsoever, deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the EU, opened the event by emphasising how unique the Erasmus+ programme is; forming connections across borders, breaking down barriers and offering a sense of belonging to the people touched by its impact. She referenced the Draghi and Letta reports calling for increased investment in skills to improve the EU’s competitiveness. However, this should not come at the cost of education, as “investing in education is investing in democracy”. Nathalie Jaarsma, Director of International Policy at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), emphasised the need for continued dialogue in order to truly progress. This event did just that, engaging stakeholders from across the board; the EU institutions, member states, education field and civil society to talk about Erasmus+ priorities.
Student pitches: personal stories of growth
Throughout the event, three students brought their personal experiences to the stage in short pitches about the impact Erasmus+ has had on them. The semester that Jarno Riebandt, student of medical sciences at VU Amsterdam, spent in Norway enriched his mindset and taught him new approaches to studying and working. Isabelle Duinker, studying International Business at VET institution Zadkine, described her exchange in Germany, where real-world projects and local engagement deepened her intercultural skills. “The value of Erasmus+ is clear, but access is still limited. It needs more investment,” she asserted. Mike Unguryan studied in Sheffield and explored new academic fields such as sociology and criminology, broadening his scope in fields he would not otherwise have known he is so interested in. Their stories showcased how thanks to this programme, their steps outside their comfort zones lead to profound personal growth, and highlighted how Erasmus+ fosters independence, adaptability and an intercultural mindset: essential skills for Europe’s future.
Insights from across the board
The first panel brought together key figures from different EU institutions; European Parliament members Brigitte van den Berg (Renew) and Marit Maij (S&D) shared their views alongside Kika Kattami, Education Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus, and Diana Jablonska, Director for Youth, Education and Erasmus+ at DG EAC. The discussion focussed on new priorities, negotiation challenges and the need to make the programme truly inclusive. The second panel featured Dutch stakeholders representing all levels of Erasmus+ implementation. Noor Groenendijk, director of the National Agency Erasmus+ for the Netherlands, and Olmer Tutein Nolthenius, board member of the Dutch National Student Association (ISO), were joined by Caspar van den Berg, president of Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), Jeanette Oostijen, executive board member of the MBO Raad representing VET institutions, and Geleyn Meijer, Chair of UASNL representing universities of applied sciences. Together, the panellists translated the institutional perspectives of the first discussion into concrete priorities and practical needs for the next Erasmus+ programme.
An inclusive Erasmus+ for all
The dominant theme across both panels: inclusion and accessibility. This entails equal participation rates, and inclusion of VET students and students with fewer opportunities in particular. Current mobility goals differ per education level, with VET aiming for a participation rate of just 12% whereas this target is 23% for higher education students. MEP Brigitte van den Berg argued that “everyone under 25 should have the opportunity to have an international experience” and rejects “any argument to call for a lower share of VET students participating in Erasmus+ than higher education students”. MEP Marit Maij added that VET students face higher obstacles. Moreover, most of the socio-economic differences manifest even before the start of the application process, Olmer Tutein Nolthenius pointed out: people who simply never even apply, because they do not feel this is for them. The importance of raising awareness, creating role models and more financial means is therefore not to be underestimated.
Protecting Erasmus+' core: EU values, citizenship, and personal development
Panellists agreed that Erasmus+ must protect its core focus: stimulating citizenship, EU values, and personal development. The Commission’s current proposal for the next Erasmus+ programme strongly focusses economic competitiveness, evoking diverse responses from the panellists. Kia Kattami warned: “We should not take for granted how the Erasmus+ programme brings Europeans together and builds a sense of belonging”. The programme should safeguard what it already has and strengthen that sentiment, contributing to Europe’s competitiveness through stimulating “democratic benefit, human benefit, strengthening our sense of being European”, Brigitte van den Berg concluded.
Less paperwork, better measurement
The second panel highlighted two key needs: less administrative burden and better impact measurement. Erasmus+ mobility is currently “a lot of paperwork and administrative burden on the part of an individual student”, noted Caspar van den Berg. Additionally, Noor Groenendijk stressed the need for better measuring methods if we want to demonstrate Erasmus+’ impact. “It’s important we broaden the idea of what impact encompasses”, Geleyn Meijer added. Jeanette Oostijen pointed out that “impact can be lifelong, not just momentary". To solve this, Van den Berg suggested to capture more stories, rather than trying to quantify Erasmus+ experiences.
Double Erasmus+
Throughout the event panellists called for important adjustments and points of caution for the next Erasmus+ programme. However, these adjustments are bound to remain aspirations if the funding cannot deliver. As said by Noor Groenendijk: "Erasmus+ is the key instrument to continuing the great work that we're doing. It's not an extra, it's an essential”. This is why we call on the EU to double Erasmus+, and invest in its next generation – the generation that will shape Europe’s future.
Context
In the summer of 2025 the Commission published the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework. At the time, Neth-ER issued a statement where it highlighted the need for a doubling of the budget to expand learning mobility and inclusion for all and published a reaction with concrete recommendations in December 2025. Negotiations are ongoing within the Council and Parliament with regards to the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework. This event ties directly into Neth-ER's ‘Double Knowledge’ campaign, which calls for doubling European investment in both Erasmus+ and the successor to Horizon Europe in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
Co-authored by Lily Pestel
