Erasmus for all

EDUC-V/019
Adopted

Erasmus for all

Yoomi RENSTRÖM
Yoomi RENSTRÖM
Alternate Sweden
Mayor of Ovanåker
 yoomi.renstrom@ovanaker.se
 +46 70 6063005
 SV, EN
 Adoption: 04/05/2012
 Theme: Education and Culture
support the proposed budget increase, which is focused on the contribution of education and training to the implementation of Europe 2020 Strategy; secure some key proposals of the Commission (simplification and accessibility, including inclusiveness; better management and savings; support to mobility; promote linguistic diversity; transnational cooperation, including with third countries); object to the proposed title of the programme and call for a separate chapter on youth; highlight the role of LRAs and develop their involvement in devising and implementing the measures at EU level (e.g. in monitoring performance and results of the Programme); ensure that local and regional diversity and specificities are taken into account in the allocation of funds for member states and during its revision process.
Impact of the CoR opinion upon the EP draft report, reflected also in the final Regulation: The CoR opinion is mentioned in the Recitals of the EP draft report and of the Regulation. The EP draft report calls for the new Programme to pay particular attention to the territorial dimension of education and training policies and underlines the key role of local administrations in dealing with challenges related to the two policies mentioned above and in realising the Europe 2020’s objectives. A separate Chapter and a separate budget line for Youth was introduced (as also requested by the CoR). The EP draft report also echoes concerns, reiterates its belief that specific measures must be taken to ensure equal access to mobility for all target groups addressed by the programme, irrespective of the geographical location of the region they come from, and not least for those living in remote and outermost regions. The draft Report is also in favour of partnerships between regional and local authorities responsible for any aspect of education with a view to fostering inter-regional cooperation, including cross-border regional cooperation. The EP, just like the CoR, has expressed its disagreement with the Commission proposal for the title 'Erasmus for All'. The final name is 'Erasmus +' Finally, the EP has joined the CoR in saying that the number of national agencies should be left to the Member States to decide.
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS - strongly supports the increased budget proposed for the programme. Funding should be distributed between the various educational and youth sectors such that all areas benefit from budget increases; - underlines the importance of lifelong learning, and therefore of the programme supporting all age groups and types of learning equally; - feels that support should be most generous where the need and chances of impact are greatest. This should mean a clear relocation of funds to projects aimed at people who currently have little contact with mobility programmes, such as schools, young people not in formal education, and adults in training and further education; - believes that if the big challenges can be met at local and regional level, people will be prepared for a future characterised by flux. They will be equipped for lifelong learning, and more and more will complete their studies, go through higher education and identify opportunities to complete phases of their education in different parts of Europe and also see the whole of Europe as a potential work location; - can see advantages in institutional cooperation, including for mobility projects. When mobility occurs within an institutional framework, it may provide a more solid foundation for higher quality and more sustained, strategic impact; - notes its positive experience with parts of previous programmes, such as Comenius Regio, that provide opportunities to involve institutions other than educational ones, and which are aimed at promoting European cooperation in education at local and regional level.
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