The European Movement in Scotland, Scotland’s leading pro-EU organisation, calls on the Scottish Government to give young people a chance and put in place a replacement for Erasmus+, the world’s biggest and most successful student exchange programme.
The Scottish Government’s decision to shelve plans to replace Erasmus+ is depriving young people of life-changing opportunities. We are calling on them to restore the opportunities afforded by Erasmus+ and implement a comprehensive Scottish Exchange Programme that enables young people from all walks of life to live, learn and work overseas.
Following the UK government’s decision to quit Erasmus+ and the EU’s block on Scotland rejoining the scheme on its own, the Scottish Government pledged to develop and implement an equivalent programme alongside their counterparts in Wales.
The Welsh Government have put their £65m scheme in place but the Scottish Government have delayed their own indefinitely.
This delay is damaging for the thousands of young people who wish to enhance their education and training by studying in Europe. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or in FE colleges are feeling the biggest impact with targeted funding taken away since the UK left Erasmus+.
Chair of the European Movement in Scotland Mark Lazarowicz says: “The loss of Erasmus+ is an act of cultural vandalism and we must do everything to restore the huge opportunities it gives to students, apprentices and others.”
Learn more about The European Movement’s Campaign by visiting: