Future programmes for education and youth: “Education Europe”?
On the 29th of June the European Commission published its proposal for the next EU budget, “Multiannual Financial Framework”, covering the years 2014-2020. The Commission proposes an increase of ca. 68% in the budget allocated to Education and Culture and tables the proposal to bring all programmes related to education and youth (thus, including Lifelong learning, Comenius, Erasmus, Youth in Action, etc.) under one brand name: “Education Europe”. Comments and concerns are coming from all the different interested stakeholders.
While the Commission persists, that the move would increase visibility, avoid fragmentation, raise awareness about the financial support among young people and simplify the application procedures, many of the stakeholders active in the field of Education, such as Gina Ebner, EUCIS-LLL President believe, that one-name-for-all idea would mean non less than a step backwards and the loss of the content of the single programme.
The concerns of EUCIS-LLL and European Youth Forum, – OBESSU is member of both platforms – derive from the fact that, for the time being, it still remains unclear what share of the dedicated budget each of the programmes will receive. Before knowing this, it is almost impossible to assess the impact of such a merge.
It is predicted that the sharp rise in funding for Education and Culture will come out significantly smaller after the negotiating round with the Parliament and the Council.
All organisations will in the next period closely monitor the development related to the Multiannual Financial Framework and meetings with European Commission officers are already planned for September.
