On Sunday, March 21st, the Welsh Government announced the launch of an International Learning Exchange Programme for Wales. Following the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus+ scheme, Wales has been investigating “alternative approaches to build on existing, and develop new, international learning partnerships, based on reciprocity and mutual respect.”

It all starts here.

On March 25th, the European Commission adopted the first annual work programme of Erasmus+ 2021-2027.

With a budget of €26.2 billion (compared to €14.7 billion for 2014-2020), complemented with about €2.2 billion from EU's external instruments, the new and revamped programme aims to fund learning mobility and cross-border cooperation projects for 10 million Europeans of all ages and all backgrounds. It will seek to be even more inclusive and to support the green and digital transitions, as set out in the European Education Area. Erasmus+ will also support the resilience of education and training systems in the face of the pandemic.

The Erasmus Student Network has previously pointed out that there are mostly positive news with the new Programme, but also that there is not enough money available to achieve the ambitious goals. After a year of decreased mobility as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, ESN now stands ready to help a new generation of young students integrate into their new host country.