Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe could suffer budget cuts

This article was originally published in French

He EU Councilwhich represents national governments, has proposed and cutout of 295 million euros for the university exchange program Erasmus+ in 2025.

“I find it really regrettable because, for me, Erasmus is a cooperation symbolof cultural rediscovery and mutual help between people of different nationalities,” Maeva Campos Pérez, Erasmus+ ambassador in Brussels, told ‘Euronews’.

In his opinion, a decrease in financing could prevent some students go on exchange and do more competitive the selection process. “If it hadn’t been for Erasmus+, I would never have been able to afford my exchange and discover everything I did during those months of university exchange,” explains this Master in Public Relations student who spent a semester in Medellín (Colombia) thanks to a monthly scholarship Erasmus+ of 800 euros.

Founded in 1987, the Erasmus+ program has allowed almost 16 million young people study abroad. It has a budget of 26.2 billion euros for the period 2021-2027, which represents an increase of 80% compared to the previous budget of the 2014-2021 program, of 14.7 billion euros.

The cuts could also affect the Horizon Europe program

The EU Council also proposes to allocate 400 million euros less to the research and innovation program Europe horizon in 2025with respect to what was initially planned by the European Commission.

Research stakeholders fear that this funding freeze will have a negative impact on innovation in Europe and the EU’s competitiveness. “If we want Europa work in the real world, we have to be very demanding in terms of competitiveness. and the innovation without competitiveness it cannot be real,” Susana Garayoa, head of institutional relations with the EU at Zabala Innovation, explains to ‘Euronews’.

However, Garayoa points out other complementary sources of financingsuch as the Innovation Fund and the European Hydrogen Bank auctions. With a budget of 95.5 billion of euros for the period of 2021 a 2027the Horizon Europe program aims to fund research in the EU, support the green and digital transitions and stimulate competitiveness and growth.

Budget vote

The Council of the EU wants to reduce this spending, in particular to give priority to support a Ukraine and the reimbursement of the recovery plan established to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19.

For its part, it is expected that the European Parliament fight to maintain this funding. “This is typical. The European Parliament is always trying to get the most out of the budget and the Council is always making cuts. For us, this is a mistake,” says Susana Garayoa. After the vote in plenary session on WednesdayMEPs will have to reach a agreement with the Council to complete the EU budget before the end of the year.

Additional sources • Enrique Barrueco (Voice-over)