What is Erasmus+?

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.


It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020).

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also

  • supports the European Pillar of Social Rights
  • implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027
  • develops the European dimension in sport

 

Opportunities

Erasmus+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities. For the 2021-2027 period, EACEA manages key parts of the following programmes on behalf of the European Commission.

 

Erasmus+ Website: The Programme Guide

The essential guide to understanding Erasmus+.

 

Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2023

English (PDF - 5.29 MB - 441 pages)

 
 

Overview of South Africa's participation in Erasmus +

 

South Africa has been participating actively in the Erasmus+ Programme from 2014. At the end of the 2014-2020 programme, South Africa demonstrated its significant involvement in the programme, utilizing opportunities in all four components available to partner countries.

The International Credit Mobility component, enabled 2,746 students and staff from South Africa to undertake short term mobilities to Europe between 2015 and 2020. Students and staff from Europe to South Africa, totalled 1,879 for the same period. South African institutions participated in 37 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programmes between 2014 and 2020. During the same period, 78 students from South Africa were awarded full scholarships to study towards Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees. Between 2015 and 2020, South African institutions participated in 29 Capacity Building for Higher Education projects, of which four projects were coordinated by South African Institutions of Higher Learning. Finally, six Jean Monnet projects were implemented in South Africa and one network involved partners from the country.

In the new 2021-2027 phase of the Erasmus+ programme, South African participation also continue at a high level. Limited components were implemented in 2021, but during the first year of the new phase, a further 12 students were awarded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s degree scholarships. Results from the 2022 selections reflect continued significant involvement. International Credit Mobility results for South Africa shows 18.5% mobilisation of the sub-Saharan budget, with 461 staff mobilities to Europe and 416 staff mobilities from Europe to South Africa. In addition, 600 students from South Africa will undertake mobilities to Europe and  further 128 students take up mobilities in South Africa.

Three new Capacity Building for Higher Education projects were awarded for South Africa in 2022, and 5 instances of participation in Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programmes for South African institutions. The new component, Capacity Building for TVET resulted in 10 instances of participation for South African institutions. Virtual exchanges will have five instances of participation in two projects. Finally, one South African university will participate in a Jean Monnet network.