Youth and third sector organisations across the United Kingdom are to launch KeepErasmusPlus, a national campaign to save a vital European exchange programme which has benefited over half a million people.
Erasmus+ is a European funding programme for education, training, youth and sport. It enables people – especially those who can’t otherwise afford it – to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in other countries.
Erasmus+ funds all sorts of educational activities in different settings, including in schools, youth exchanges, cultural projects, volunteering, vocational training and studying at university abroad.
Over the past 30 years, 600,000 people from the UK have taken part in Erasmus+. Between 2014 and 2020, Erasmus+ will have been worth £793 million to the UK.
The Campaign
Through partnership across the 6 Erasmus+ sectors we will lobby politicians across the UK, to maintain participation in Erasmus+ after Brexit. The campaign will emphasise the positive impact of Erasmus+ on individuals and communities.
We are asking individuals and organisations to:
Sign our petition http://bit.ly/KeepErasmusPlus
Get in touch with their local politicians
Share your Erasmus+ story on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using hashtag #KeepErasmusPlus
Rob Young, Vice President of National Union of Students UK believes the benefits of studying abroad cannot be underestimated: “Studying abroad has a significant positive impact on employment prospects after graduating and enables students to build confidence, skills and lasting international relationships. These benefits have a particularly big impact for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“It is absolutely vital that we protect these transformative opportunities. The Erasmus+ scheme accounts for 55% of all study abroad for UK students, and to lose that would be catastrophic. I am proud to be a part of this campaign to protect a programme which has given so much to our country and our students.”
Emily Beever, European Campaign Lead, YouthLink Scotland said: “In the midst of uncertainty on our future relationship with Europe, we say join us to celebrate the great success story of Erasmus+ in the UK. We would like to see the Prime Minister make a commitment to the continuation of Erasmus+, a programme that already involves non-EU members, including Iceland and Norway. This funding has given life-changing opportunities to young people from some of our most disadvantaged communities.”
Commenting on the launch, Paul Glaze, CEO, Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services said: “CWVYS and the voluntary youth work sector in Wales are pleased to lend full support to the KeepErasmusPlus campaign. During the last 30 years, Erasmus+ has provided hugely positive opportunities for young people, youth work organisations and communities in Wales. It is imperative that the immense social, cultural and economic benefits of Erasmus+ are still available for future generations.”
#keeperasmus+
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