What are the Objectives of the Programme?

Erasmus+, the EU's programme for education, youth, and sport, supports education, training, internships, professional development, non-formal learning-based youth activities, and collaborations between institutions across Europe and beyond. The programme aims to modernize education, training, and youth work throughout Europe while contributing to the development of human and social capital with the skills required by labor markets and a competitive economy.

Initially launched in 1987 as a student exchange programme to encourage university students to participate in one or two semesters of exchange, Erasmus+ has undergone structural changes over time. It expanded beyond student exchange to include school education, vocational training, adult education, and youth, and was implemented under components like Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, and Lifelong Learning up until 2013. In the 2014-2020 period, the programme included sports and was consolidated under one umbrella as Erasmus+. The European Commission decided to continue the name for the 2021-2027 period. The budget for the Erasmus+ Programme increased nearly twofold to €28.4 billion for 2021-2027 compared to the 2014-2020 period.

Türkiye's Participation in the Programme

Türkiye has participated in the EU's programmes for education, youth, and sport since 2004.

The participation agreement for the 2021-2027 period was signed on October 27, 2021, and published in the Official Gazette on November 16, bringing it into effect.

The national coordinator for the programme in Türkiye is the Turkish National Agency.

Horizontal Priorities for the 2021-2027 Period:

• Inclusion and Diversity
• Environment and Fight Against Climate Change
• Digital Transformation
• Participation in Democratic Life, Common Values and Civic Engagement

The programme offers opportunities for individuals of various ages and sectors to enhance and share their knowledge and experiences abroad through education, training, learning, internships, job shadowing, non-formal learning-based youth activities, and voluntary work. Erasmus+ is open to education and training, youth, and sports organizations across all lifelong learning sectors, including school education, vocational training, higher education, adult education, youth, and sport.

Significant progress has been made in the harmonization of university structures and the enhancement of the compatibility of higher education systems thanks to higher education mobility, which has continued across Europe for over 30 years. The Erasmus+ Programme is built on EU policy documents such as the “Strategic Framework for Education and Training,” the “Commission Communication on the Modernization of Higher Education,” the “Renewed European Cooperation Framework in the Youth Field,” the “EU Youth Strategy (2010-2018),” the “White Paper on Sport,” the “European Dimension in Sport,” and the “EU Work Plan for Sport.”

Who Can Benefit From Erasmus+ Programme

• In the Field of Higher Education: University students, academics, and higher education staff
• In the Field of Vocational Education: Students of vocational schools, apprentices, professionals, educators, and vocational training staff
• In the Field of School Education: Primary and secondary school students, school leaders, teachers, and school staff
• In the Field of Adult Education: Learners, educators, and members or staff of adult education institutions
• In the Field of Youth: Young people aged 13-30, youth workers, and members or staff of youth organizations
• In the Field of Sport: Public bodies related to sports, associations or organizations representing athletes, the Olympic Committee, national leagues, federations, clubs, sports NGOs

In summary, individuals of all ages and institutions of all levels can benefit from the programme.

Structure of the Erasmus+ Programme

The Erasmus+ Programme comprises three main actions and two special actions:

• Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals (KA1)
• Key Action 2: Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices (KA2)
• Key Action 3: Support for Policy Reform (KA3)
• Special Action 1: Jean Monnet Actions
• Special Action 2: Sport Actions

Erasmus+ includes decentralized and centralized activities:

• Decentralized Projects: Applications are submitted to the Turkish National Agency.
• Centralized Projects: Applications are submitted to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) in Brussels.

Details of centralized calls can be found on the European Education and Culture Executive Agency's website.

Do You Want to Learn More?

The program is managed and implemented through the European Commission, National Agencies, and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. In Türkiye, the Turkish National Agency coordinates the programme.

To start your Erasmus+ journey and build partnerships, use the platforms below.

Find current news on Erasmus+ at the Turkish National Agency website.

Erasmus+ Programme 2024 Guide

Erasmus+ Programme 2024 Call for Proposals

Erasmus+ Program 2021-2027 Period Regulation

Access the programme brochure here