Trilogue on Erasmus+ in Brussels. Statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and education (CULT) and Milan ZVER (EPP, SI), rapporteur. Illustration footage from one British university and the situation of university exam session under Covid-19 in Belgium from June 2020.

Brussels

DORNEANU, Valer (RO)

Erasmus (T)

VERHEYEN, Sabine (EPP, DE)

London

ZVER, Milan (EPP, SI)

Erasmus+ trilogue: statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of CULT and Milan ZVER (EPP, SI), rapporteur

Title: Erasmus+ trilogue: statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and education and Milan ZVER (EPP, SI), rapporteur (I-200230)

The 5th Triologue meeting on Erasmus+ (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (German), Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the committee of culture and education:  We were able to reach an agreement today, so the program can start on time. We got a lot on top for the program. We're now at over $ 26 billion for the seven year program. That is not exactly twice as much, not quite what Parliament originally wanted., but I think that's a big step up for the program. We will make the program a lot more inclusive than it was before. Above all, set a stronger focus on vocational training. About 21,5 percent only about, but that is actually the goal aimed at should go into vocational training, mobility and exchange in this area, so that even young people who have not been able to participate quite as much in the program so far, just those who were in vocational training can participate in the program. We will continue to promote higher education and the exchange there, what most traditionally understand by Erasmus. School education is also still strengthened in the program.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the committee of culture and education , Today we finally negotiated again with the Council that we would also donate an amount of 400 million euros to the of excellence training centres, i.e. these professional excellence centers within the framework of vocational training. So this also benefits the young people who are not studying, but rather normal vocational training. Here, too, to gurantee appropriate funding in this area.

SOUNDBITE (English), Milan ZVER (EPP, SI), Rapporteur , We successfully concluded negotiations on the future of our Erasmus+ programme the next seven years and no new programme for education, youth mobility and sports. This Friday evening, we reached a political agreement after more than one year of talks between European parliament, the Council and the European Commission. As standing rapporteur I'm proud that we managed to secure so many of our priorities, the Parliament fought hard to make the programme more inclusive. People that previously did not have the chance to participate due to financial reasons, disability and for any other reason will now get financial or other necessary support to take part in the exchanges. The Parliament also strove to make the programme seek to use, less paperwork, more user friendly IT system and access to financing from other EU funds. We managed to ensure that the adult learners will be able to participate in the individual study exchanges abroad.

SOUNDBITE (English), Milan ZVER (EPP, SI), Rapporteur, We also secured a bigger budgetary share for the adult education and vocational education and training sectors and kept a high level of funding spent. Due to the efforts of the Parliament's long term budget negotiators and also to my teams negotiating tactics the Erasmus+ programme recently received an additional two point two billion euros of funds.

Illustration part: Exterior views, University of London, UK (2 shots)

Interior, university exams in Belgium under the COVID precaution measures, (8 shots)