funding

The Jean Monnet programme aims at stimulating teaching, research and reflection in the field of European integration studies at the level of higher education institutions within and outside the European Community.

European integration studies are defined as the analysis of the origins and evolution of the European Communities and the European Union in all its aspects. They cover both the internal and external dimension of European integration, including the European Union's role in the dialogue between peoples and cultures and the European Union's role and perception in the world.

Launched in 1989, the programme is now present in 62 countries throughout the world and around 740 universities offer Jean Monnet courses as part of their curricula. Between 1990 and 2009, the Jean Monnet Action has helped to set up approximately 3,500 projects in the field of European integration studies, including 141 Jean Monnet European Centres of Excellence, 775 Chairs and 2,007 permanent courses and European modules.

• List of selected projects

Priority One – Citizens and the EU: values, democratic life and institutional issues

The active involvement of citizens in dialogue and reflection on the EU, its policy objectives and its values are crucial in fostering a sense of ownership and of European identity amongst citizens. The Europe for Citizens Programme is an important tool in this respect and can make a valuable contribution to increase awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the values and principles enshrined in the EU Treaties.

The Treaty also puts the role of the EU in the world on a new footing and introduces important changes in the functioning of the EU institutions, inter-institutional relations and interaction between the European institutions, national parliaments and citizens. The Europe for Citizens Programme represents an important means of empowering citizens to play a full part in the democratic life of the EU. Fostering participation through volunteering in particular, promoting equal opportunities for all, intercultural dialogue and contributing to an inclusive society are issues of fundamental importance to active citizenship, including as regards participation in political life.

Priority Two - Citizens' interests and EU policies

Citizens' engagement with issues which constitute the European Union's political priorities is a key element of civic participation. The Europe for Citizens Programme represents a valuable tool for raising awareness amongst citizens and encouraging them to share their views on the political programme and concrete actions proposed by the European Institutions and to influence what the agenda should comprise (agenda setting) and how the agenda should be taken forward. Particular attention should be given to the perspective of citizens and organised civil society on the skills needed to contribute to and benefit from a knowledge-based and sustainable economy and on the ways to ensure it goes hand in hand with social cohesion.

In 2012 further efforts should then be put into raising awareness, reflection and debate on the relevance and implications of EU policies on citizens' daily lives and in removing the remaining obstacles that EU citizens still face. Topics under debate should also link to the issues in the European agenda, including economic governance, young people's role in the labour market and society, climate change, sustainable energy, flexicurity, transport, innovation and other flagship initiatives and objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. Projects shall facilitate the exchange of views with and presentation of results to the appropriate decision-makers on ongoing European policies and their impact on local situations as well as on local issues with an European dimension. A focus should also be on projects which are related to the objectives of the European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity.

"Investing in education and training is the best investment we can make for Europe's future. Studying abroad boosts people's skills, personal development and adaptability, and makes them more employable. We want to ensure that many more people benefit from EU support for these opportunities. We also need to invest more to improve the quality of education and training at all levels so we are a match for the best in the world and so that we can deliver more jobs and higher growth," said Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.

The Commission's Erasmus for All proposal would allow:

• 2.2 million higher education students to receive grants to spend part of their education and training abroad (compared to 1.5 million under current programmes);

• This figure includes 135 000 students getting support to study in a non-EU country, as well as non-EU students coming to study in the Union;

• 735 000 vocational students would be able to spend part of their education and training abroad (compared to 350 000 under the current programme);

• 1 million teachers, trainers and youth workers would receive funding to teach or train abroad (compared to 600 000 under current programmes);

• 700 000 young people would go on traineeships in companies abroad (compared to 600 000 under the current programme);

• 330 000 Master's degree students would benefit from loan guarantees to help finance studies abroad under a brand-new scheme;

• 540 000 young people would be able to volunteer abroad or participate in youth exchanges (compared to 374 000 under the current programme);

• 34 000 students would receive grants for a 'joint degree', which involves studying in at least two higher education institutions abroad (this compares to 17 600 supported under the current programme);

• 115 000 institutions/organisations involved in education, training and/or youth activities or other bodies would get funding to set up more than 20 000 'strategic partnerships' to implement joint initiatives and promote exchange of experience and know-how;

• 4 000 education institutions and enterprises would form 400 'knowledge alliances' and 'sector skills alliances' to boost employability, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Background

Erasmus for All would bring together all the current EU and international schemes for education, training, youth and sport, replacing seven existing programmes ¹ with one. This will increase efficiency, make it easier to apply for grants, as well as reducing duplication and fragmentation.

The Commission is proposing an increase of approximately 70% compared to the current seven-year budget, which would allocate €19 billion to the new programme in 2014-2020. The figure takes account of future estimates for inflation and includes expenditure foreseen for international cooperation.

The new programme will focus on EU added value and systemic impact, with support for three types of action: learning opportunities for individuals, both within the EU and beyond; institutional cooperation between educational institutions, youth organisations, businesses, local and regional authorities and NGOs; and support for reforms in Member States to modernise education and training systems and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.

Two-thirds of the funding would be spent on mobility grants to enhance knowledge and skills.

The streamlined structure of the new programme – together with its significantly increased investment – means the EU will be able to deliver many more opportunities for students, trainees, young people, teachers, youth workers and others to improve their skills, personal development and job prospects. Erasmus for All will also promote research and teaching on European integration, and support grassroots sport.

Since 2007, an average of 400 000 people per year have received EU grants for study, training and volunteering abroad. Under the Commission's proposal, this figure would nearly double to almost 800 000. (In 2010, 560 000 received grants in the 27 Member States, see Annex 1).

Next steps

This proposal is now under discussion by the Council (27 Member States) and the European Parliament who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.

For more information:

See also MEMO/11/818

http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all

Commissioner Vassiliou's website

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/vassiliou

European Commission: Education and Training website

Both programmes are part of the Commission's proposal for a multi-annual budget for 2014-2020.

The new programme for education, training and youth would allocate €19.5 billion (+ 70%) over seven years; the increase underlines the priority given to investing in knowledge and skills to support job creation and growth in Europe. The programme would ensure that more people benefit from EU grants to study or train abroad; it would also promote cooperation between governments, educational institutions, businesses and other partners, to support the policy reforms needed to modernise education systems and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.

The 'Creative Europe' programme will bring the current Culture, MEDIA 2007 and MEDIA Mundus programmes together under a common framework which will support the cultural and creative sectors with a budget of €1.8 billion (+37%). The focus will be on helping cultural and audiovisual professionals to safeguard and promote cultural and linguistic diversity by making the most of the Single Market and reaching new audiences in Europe and beyond, as well as contributing to the Europe 2020 objectives for jobs and sustainable growth.