Coimbra Group joins European stakeholders in calling on Member States to support a strong Erasmus+ budget
05 October 2026
The Coimbra Group has joined forces with more than 70 European organisations, through the Erasmus+ Coalition, in calling on EU Finance Ministers and Foreign and European Affairs Ministers to ensure that negotiations on the next EU long-term budget do not compromise Europe’s future by weakening Erasmus+. Irrespective of how the next Multiannual Financial Framework is ultimately structured, Erasmus+ must receive at least €47.4 billion. This is the minimum allocation required for the programme to maintain its current level of activities.
The call is aligned with the €47.4 billion allocation currently being advocated within the European Parliament, ahead of its final position in plenary. However, this level of funding would still not be sufficient to support Erasmus+’ expanded scope, new actions and growing political ambitions. Together with other higher education stakeholders, the Coimbra Group has therefore advocated for an Erasmus+ budget of €60 billion, taking into account the programme’s proposed new priorities and responsibilities. A sufficiently ambitious budget is essential to ensure that Erasmus+ can meet its agreed political objectives without reducing the quality of activities or limiting participation.
Prof. Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group, underlined the programme’s unique role in advancing European integration: “Investing in Erasmus+ means investing in the European project itself. The programme embodies the idea of ‘united in diversity’ by fostering intercultural understanding, inclusion, multilingualism and academic cooperation across borders. It creates a strong sense of belonging and shared European identity, connecting generations of learners and institutions.”
Coimbra Group universities are deeply embedded in the success of Erasmus+. More than 16% of all Erasmus+ grants awarded across the EU involve a Coimbra Group university as a sending or receiving institution. Securing a robust and ambitious Erasmus+ budget is therefore essential not only to sustain mobility and cooperation at scale, but also to broaden access, strengthen inclusion and reinforce democratic values, European identity and long-term societal cohesion across the continent.
This call comes at a crucial moment in the negotiations, ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels on 15-16 October, where EU leaders are expected to discuss the next long-term EU budget. Before, on 13 October, the General Affairs Council will also meet in Brussels, where ministers for European Affairs will hold a policy debate on the next MFF and prepare the European Council.