Is Erasmus+/ESC Ending After 2027?

The current Erasmus+ programme technically ends with the 2021-2027 period and a new programme starts after it; the programme is renewed every seven years and negotiations are ongoing. Erasmus+ is the EU Programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport for the 2021-2027 period, and you apply to the calls that are published. The European Solidarity Corps has an overall EU Budget for the period 2021-2027. For the period 2028-2034, the European Commission has put forward a proposal for a strengthened Erasmus+ programme, and the European Solidarity Corps opportunities would be integrated into Erasmus+. Our guide on what Erasmus+ is and our guide on what the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is explain the programmes as they work today.

Last updated: November 2026.

What has the European Commission proposed for 2028-2034?

The Commission has put forward a proposal for a strengthened Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034, and the proposed programme would support learning mobility from an early age and capacity building in education, training, youth and sport. The Commission proposes a budget of €40.8 billion, compared to €26.2 billion for 2021-2027.

If the proposal goes ahead, the programme could include these points:

🎓 Scholarships: a new feature would allow students to apply for Erasmus+ scholarships in strategic study fields.

🏅 Sport: Erasmus+ would expand mobility in the sport sector, now including athletes and people in grassroots sport, alongside coaches.

🌱 Inclusion: Erasmus+ would stay committed to inclusion, with enhanced support mechanisms for people with fewer opportunities, whether due to socio-economic background, disability, or geographical isolation.

Our guide on Erasmus+ Sport explains today's rules in sport, and our guide on inclusion support explains today's support.

What happens to the European Solidarity Corps?

Under the proposal, Erasmus+ would also cover volunteering, including in support of humanitarian aid operations, which are currently part of the European Solidarity Corps. The integration of the European Solidarity Corps opportunities into Erasmus+ would create a single-entry point for young people across the EU and beyond. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) support the Commission's proposal to merge the current Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, and European Solidarity Corps best practices would be applied in the new Erasmus+. EU education ministers in the Council confirm the integration of the European Solidarity Corps into the future Erasmus+ programme and seek to preserve its identity through explicit references to volunteering, solidarity activities and youth participation. Our guide on the difference between ESC and Erasmus+ compares the two programmes today, and our guide on Humanitarian Aid Volunteering explains that part of the European Solidarity Corps.

Is the new programme already decided?

No: negotiations are ongoing.

📄 16 July 2025: the Commission proposed the new Erasmus+ regulation.

🏛️ 11 May 2026: EU education ministers reached a partial general approach on the future Erasmus+ Regulation, which is the Council's first formal position. Budget, duration and other provisions linked to the next long-term EU budget are outside the Council's mandate for now.

🗳️ 29 September 2026: the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) voted to amend a Commission proposal for the 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme.

✅ 22 October 2026: Parliament adopted its negotiating mandate with 454 for, 34 against and 93 abstentions, and the matter was referred back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations, which are negotiations between the EU institutions.

Parliament's negotiating mandate can be used in negotiations only once member states have adopted their full mandate including overall budget figures. MEPs want to increase the programme budget to €47.39 billion (in current prices), in comparison to the proposed €40.8 billion by the Commission. Our guide on the Erasmus+ programme shows what is on offer now.

Can you still apply now?

Yes: Erasmus+ is the EU Programme for the 2021-2027 period, and you apply to the calls that are published. The European Solidarity Corps has an overall EU Budget for the period 2021-2027. In the European Solidarity Corps, you do not need to write a project: you apply to the projects that are published. There is no single registration point for Erasmus+ youth projects: calls are published separately (also on Youth Works Hub), and you apply through each call as it explains. Our guide on how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where the offers are, and our guide on how to apply takes the steps one by one.

What could change for young people?

If the proposals go ahead, young people could see these changes:

🚪 Single entry: the proposal would create a single-entry point for young people across the EU and beyond.

🏅 Athletes: the proposal would expand mobility in the sport sector, now including athletes and people in grassroots sport, and MEPs say Erasmus+ should facilitate the mobility of athletes in grassroots sports.

🏠 Living costs: MEPs argue that grants should take into account living costs, housing prices, inflation and purchasing power, which differ between host countries, regions and cities.

🌈 Inclusion: MEPs want the new programme to be more inclusive, and say at least 20% of Erasmus+ participants should be people with less access to career and educational opportunities.

Our guide on Erasmus+ Sport and our guide on inclusion support explain the current rules.

What about organisations with an accreditation?

There is no clear information yet on what happens to existing accreditations after 2027: some sources say they will continue as they are, some say an update application will be needed, and some say they will be reset. Youth Works Hub will share updates as they come. Our guide on Erasmus+ accreditation and our guide on the ESC Quality Label explain how each one works today.

Frequently asked questions

Will ESC volunteering still exist after 2027?

Yes, under the European Commission proposal: Erasmus+ would also cover volunteering, including in support of humanitarian aid operations. A major change would be the integration of the European Solidarity Corps opportunities into Erasmus+. Our guide on the difference between ESC and Erasmus+ compares the two programmes today.

Does the new programme start in 2028?

The Commission proposal is for the period 2028-2034, and negotiations are ongoing. Our guide on what Erasmus+ is explains the programme as it works today.

Is Erasmus+ renewed regularly?

Yes: the Erasmus+ programme is renewed every seven years. Our guide on the Erasmus+ programme shows what is on offer now.

How do you follow what happens next?

Youth Works Hub will share updates as they come. Negotiations on the new programme are ongoing, and you apply to the projects that are published. Our guide on how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where the current offers are.

👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects

👉 Erasmus+ projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=erasmus-projects