SUMMARY:

We are happy to share an important and positive update on the future Erasmus+ programme for 2028–2034:

• This week, the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) adopted its position on the future Erasmus+ programme, including a significant increase in the share of funding dedicated to sport, from 1.9% to 4.1%.‍
• This is a positive outcome for the sport sector and an important result of the advocacy efforts led by FESI and their Sport & Physical Activity Coalition. Since May 2025, FESI has brought together a coalition of more than 150 organisations calling for stronger funding and recognition of sport within the future Erasmus+ programme, while continuing to engage with the rapporteur and MEPs, including over the summer.
• The CULT position is not yet final. The plenary vote will take place in November, after which trilogues negotiations with the Council, which has agreed its position in May 2026, will start.

MORE INFORMATION

CULT MEPs propose to increase the overall Erasmus+ budget to €47.39 billion for 2028–2034, representing an increase of around 16% compared with the €40.8 billion proposed by the European Commission in July 2025. By comparison, the current 2021–2027 Erasmus+ programme has a budget of approximately €26 billion.

They also propose clear earmarks across the different policy areas, as advocates by FESI:

• 74.6% for education and training
• 15% for youth and volunteering
• 4.1% for sport

For sport, the proposed text maintains a clearly identified sport component, with a particular focus on grassroots sport, health promotion and organisations working with young people and children. It would also expand mobility opportunities to athletes and people active in grassroots sport, alongside existing opportunities for sport staff and coaches.

The position also aims to make Erasmus+ more accessible and predictable, including by better reflecting differences in living costs, housing prices, inflation and purchasing power, and by setting a target of at least 20% of participants from people with fewer opportunities.

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The CULT position was adopted by 24 votes to 1, with 1 abstention.

While the 4.1% allocation falls short of the 5% called for by our coalition, it represents a substantial increase from the current 1.9%.

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NEXT STEPS:

• The position will now be put to a vote in European Parliament plenary, expected in November, before negotiations with the Council.
• FESI will reconvene with our Sport & Physical Activity Coalition to discuss the outcome and agree on the next steps for our joint advocacy and communication strategy.

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