Erasmus+ is the EU's program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Its budget of €14.7 billion will provide opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain experience, and volunteer abroad.

Set to last until 2020, Erasmus+ doesn't just have opportunities for students. Merging seven prior programs, it has opportunities for a wide variety of individuals and organisations.

Detailed information on these opportunities, including eligibility criteria, is available in the Erasmus+ Program Guide. An indicative funding guide for some centralized opportunities is also available.

The aim of Erasmus+ is to contribute to the Europe 2020 strategy for growth, jobs, social equity and inclusion, as well as the aims of ET2020, the EU's strategic framework for education and training.

Erasmus+ also aims to promote the sustainable development of its partners in the field of higher education, and contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy.

Specific issues tackled by the program include:

• Reducing unemployment, especially among young people
• Promoting adult learning, especially for new skills and skills required by the labor market.
• Encouraging young people to take part in European democracy
• Supporting innovation, cooperation and reform
• Reducing early school leaving
• Promoting cooperation and mobility with the EU's partner countries

WHY ERASMUS

Europe must equip its citizens with the education, skills and creativity that they need in a knowledge society. The world is changing fast, and education systems need to modernise and adapt to new ways of teaching and learning and embrace the new opportunities that exist. Education, training and non-formal youth learning are key to creating jobs and improving Europe’s competitiveness. That’s why Erasmus+ will make a key contribution to addressing these challenges.

Just a few of the many benefits for participants:

• Develop personally, professionally and academically.
• Gain new transferable skills and boost your employability.
• Broaden your horizons – physically and mentally!
• Receive financial support.
• Increase motivation to learn.
• Develop cultural awareness and open-mindedness.
• Enhance self-confidence.
• Gain knowledge in new subjects or in teaching methods.
• Improve and gain language skills.