Statement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework
ESU’s position on the upcoming MFF and Erasmus+ program
- Introduction
Following the European Commission’s presentation of the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) on 16 July, the European Students’ Union (ESU) welcomes the Commission’s recognition of the importance of education, citizenship and solidarity within the proposed framework. We note with concern, however, that the proposal remains at a general and superficial level. The proposed allocation of €40.8 billion for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) represents an important commitment, yet falls short of adequately addressing inflation and the growing demands placed on these programmes. Against this background, ESU outlines below its key priorities and expectations to ensure that the final programme delivers on its promise for students and civil society organisations.
- Demands
On the budget
Since the proposal of the European Commission was published in July 2025, a narrative has been introduced that the Erasmus+ budget has been increased by 50% compared to the last MFF1. However, when taking inflation since 2021 and the merger of Erasmus+ with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) into account, the effective increase is closer to 35%. For ESU, this is far from sufficient to achieve the objectives set by the union in its different policies2.
ESU reaffirms that a fivefold increase in the budget is necessary to achieve the goals set in Europe on the Move and the Union of Skills, and that any further reduction would harm access to student mobility and undermine the work of Education Stakeholders.
On Sectoral Partition
While ESU recognises the importance of balanced funding across all educational sectors, at the same time, higher education mobility and initiatives should not be compromised by budgetary reallocations. The Union of Skills itself acknowledges that more than half of future jobs will require high qualifications, underscoring the need to strengthen higher education’s role in delivering Europe’s long-term competitiveness and resilience. Any diversion of resources away from higher education mobility risks weakening Europe’s talent base and its ability to realise its strategic ambitions.
Therefore, ESU calls on the EU to safeguard higher education allocations within Erasmus+ and asks for clear earmarks between the education sectors, as well as between education, youth and sports to ensure that new priorities are met with additional resources rather than redistribution.
On the support for European networks
Support to European networks through instruments such as the Operating Grant has been an indispensable tool for European civil society organisations to function and support them in their work as social partners of the institutions. Civil society, as a strong contributor and safeguard of a healthy and transparent democratic governance, supports and strengthens EU values. It is of the utmost importance that the EU continues to support civil society in their actions and work on a European level. ESU is deeply concerned that the emphasis on cooperation between institutions and organisations is not developed in the proposal and fears a reduction in the support given to civil society in the next MFF. Therefore, ESU urges for the expansion of Article 6 of the legal framework to clearly mention support for European networks and to ensure a commitment to reducing the administrative burden associated with applying for and reporting.
On citizenship education and commodification
ESU welcomes the strong emphasis on citizenship education and active participation in the new MFF proposals, as these are crucial in times of democratic backsliding, polarisation and disinformation. However, we remain critical of an overly utilitarian framing of education that reduces learners to their labour market output. Preparing citizens means not only equipping them with skills but also fostering democratic values, critical thinking, and active engagement in society. Education must be safeguarded against commodification and reaffirmed as a public good that nurtures citizens’ holistic development rather than serving exclusively as an instrument of employability.
On students at risk and humanitarian aid
While ESU welcomes the inclusion of humanitarian aid within the Erasmus+ framework, we remain concerned that the specific situation of students at risk is not sufficiently addressed. As human rights and fundamental freedoms are a core commitment of the EU, the Commission must take concrete measures to support young people facing persecution or unsafe conditions. Safeguarding human rights should not be regarded as a cost, but as a fundamental expression of the EU’s mission and values.
Building on our call for a “European Students at Risk” scheme, ESU urges the creation of a dedicated instrument, similar to existing support mechanisms for researchers, recognising persecuted students as human rights defenders and supporting students denied access to education due to political persecution, conflict, or humanitarian crises. Without this, Erasmus+ risks falling short of its potential to safeguard fundamental values and provide inclusive opportunities for all learners.
1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_25_2028
2 Union of Skills (https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/union-skills_en) and Europe on the Move (https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/news/europe-on-the-move-a-proposal-on-the-future-of-learning-mobility)