EU funding for education, youth and sport: € 89 million for Austria
Through the funding programmes Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps the EU supports transnational cooperation and exchange between young people, learners and teachers of all ages as well as sports enthusiasts. The starting signal has now been given for the allocation of funding for 2026. With a budget of around € 5.2 billion the European education, youth and sport programme will focus on promoting the development of basic skills and civic education as well as transnational cooperation in the coming year. The OeAD is the national agency responsible for implementing Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps in Austria.
The call for the European Solidarity Corps, which supports the social engagement of young people in particular, has also been published. A total of € 89 million in funding is available for Austria’s educational institutions, youth organisations and sports clubs.
Union of Skills
The new funding year will focus on the ‘Union of Skills’ strategy. With this strategy the EU aims to improve the skills of its citizens, strengthen life-long learning and increase employability. Moreover, the aim is to improve professional development of teachers and to increase the attractiveness of apprenticeships and the quality of teaching and training.
More funding for schools and basic skills
In 2026 Erasmus+ will focus in particular on strengthening skills development while promoting digital skills, critical thinking and democratic education. One priority area is schools, where innovative teaching methods and international cooperation will be supported by directly encouraging school authorities to take part.
Inclusion, digitisation and climate protection remain priorities
The current priority areas – social inclusion, digital and green transformation, and democratic participation – also remain central pillars of the programme. Moreover, Erasmus+ will continue to support Ukrainian learners and teachers, both in Ukraine and in EU member countries such as Austria.
Support for young people
Young adults aged 18 and over can put their ideas into practice with the help of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), for example in areas such as environmental protection, healthcare or intergenerational dialogue. The prerequisite is that as many people as possible benefit from these solidarity projects. The ESC also supports young people volunteering in non-profit organisations at home and abroad.
More than a million participants across Europe
According to the European Commission around 1.275 million people across Europe are to benefit from learning mobility, for example through semesters abroad, internships, volunteering or continuing education. In the coming year more than 100,000 institutions from all sectors of education, science, youth and sport are expected to participate. In 2024 more than 38,000 people in Austria went abroad with Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. Now the aim is to increase this number even further:
“Erasmus+ is one of the most visible and most successful EU initiatives. This is also reflected in the steadily growing number of funding applications and participants. In Austria alone we expect more than 40,000 people to go abroad with Erasmus+ and ESC in 2026. The importance of this programme is recognised throughout Europe and is expected to continue to be guaranteed in the future through appropriate financial resources,‘ says Jakob Calice, managing director of the OeAD. ’The new programme year offers numerous opportunities to gain international experience and try out new teaching methods.”
Participation and application
Organisations in the fields of education, youth and sport, including schools, universities, vocational training institutions and companies, NGOs, youth groups and sports clubs, are eligible to apply. Individuals, such as pupils, apprentices or students, can participate via these institutions. The OeAD, as the national agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps in Austria, offers advice and information about funding options. For the youth sector additional advice is available from regional offices in the federal provinces.
