Europe celebrates 35 years of Erasmus: A success story

Austria has been part of the popular EU programme since 1992.

The Erasmus programme is undoubtedly one of the European Union’s most successful initiatives. Erasmus+ has had a lasting impact on more than one generation of Europeans; approximately 13 million people across Europe went abroad with the EU programme. So far, more than 350,000 people from Austria have studied, taught, worked, completed an internship or initiated a project abroad. Austria took part in the EU programme for the first time thirty years ago (1992) – 893 students went abroad at that time. What began as an exchange programme for students now includes kindergartens, schools, higher education institutions, vocational and adult education as well as the areas of youth and sports. The OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, is responsible for the national implementation. Congratulations and reflections on the successes and current challenges came from the Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport Werner Kogler, the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research Martin Polaschek and the State Secretary for Youth Claudia Plakolm.
The Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasises the common spirit of the European idea: “Erasmus+ is a model for exchange and understanding in a Europe that resolves conflicts in a peaceful way. Especially in times like these, when the precious good of peaceful coexistence is threatened, this anniversary shows us how important this personal exchange and contacts are.”
“In 35 years of Erasmus generations of students have been able to experience Europe and today they pass this European idea on to the next generations. Especially in challenging times exchange programmes such as Erasmus+ are more important than ever to make Europe even more tangible. With Erasmus+ the successful programme has been extended to pupils and apprentices, offering an even broader range of young people the opportunity to live and learn in other European countries. Education transcends our borders, so getting to know other cultures and learning a foreign language in the country where it is spoken in everyday life is an important experience for our young people. With the anniversary of this EU programme we therefore also celebrate an anniversary of European education in Austria,” says Martin Polaschek, Minister for Education, Science and Research.
Inclusion and diversity are a focus of the current Erasmus programme. “Erasmus+ has been strengthening European cohesion for 35 years. Many people only think of students but it is a project of many facets. For example, apprentices can also get to know Europe through Erasmus+. We want young people in Austria to continue to benefit from the grants in the future and thus be able to grow personally and professionally,” says Claudia Plakolm, State Secretary for Youth at the Federal Chancellery.
In the 35 years since the start of Erasmus+ attitudes towards environmental issues have also changed considerably. “With Green Erasmus the programme focuses even more on green change in line with the vision of the European Education Area,” emphasises Werner Kogler, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for the Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport. We want green skills, i.e. skills that are important for living in a sustainable and resource-efficient society and economy, through European cooperation projects," says Kogler.
Jakob Calice, the OeAD’s managing director, looks back on recent events: “Erasmus+ is definitely a European success story. During the Covid-19 pandemic we saw how strong the programme is. Even though many stays could not take place the pandemic did not diminish people’s interest in stays abroad and their enjoyment of exchange. Europe needs common values, commitment, cultural openness and personal connections. Erasmus practises participation in democratic life. And the programme supports quality and modernisation of teaching. We have experienced a digital long jump here in the last few years and thus the programme has become fit for this programme period, more low-threshold and more user-friendly.”
People who are particularly committed to the Erasmus+ programme can apply to become Erasmus+ ambassadors. Sigrid Murschenhofer (school education), René Halla (vocational education and training), Josef Strobl (higher education), Lisa Maria Jindra (adult education) and Florian Gérard (youth) were distinguished as Erasmus+ ambassadors in October 2022 for their commitment to the EU programme. Dave Kock was distinguished as an ambassador for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).
About Erasmus+
As national agency the OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, is responsible for the implementation of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps – on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport, and the European Commission. Erasmus started in Europe in 1987 as an acronym of European Community Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. In 2014 the European education and youth programmes were merged under the name Erasmus+. Sports was also included. Erasmus+ enables stays abroad, promotes European and global cooperation and gives international impetus to the Austrian education and youth policy. Erasmus+ offers opportunities for mobility and cooperation in higher education, vocational education and training and further education, school education (including early childhood education and care), adult education, youth work and sports – within Europe and partly also worldwide. Digital change, the environment and the fight against climate change (Green Erasmus) as well as virtual mobility and cooperation are particular points of focus. Inclusive access to the programmes for all people is also a concern. 33 programme countries in Europe are currently involved.
In the current programme generation (2021 to 2027) of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)Europe invests 28.4 thousand million euros in Europe-wide and international exchanges. Austria will receive approximately 683 million euros for Erasmus+ and the ESC from European Union funds from 2021 to 2027.
 
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