CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS  4

LIST OF TABLES  5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  6

1. THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF ERASMUS+  8

1.1. 1987–1994: Mobility as an Instrument for European Cooperation  8

1.2. 1995–2006: Sectoral Expansion under the Lisbon strategy  9

1.3. 2007–2013: The Lifelong Learning Programme  10

1.4. Erasmus+ 2014–2020: Functional Integration and Output Orientation  11

1.5. The current Erasmus+ programme (2021–2027)  13

1.6. Impact of Erasmus+ on European Identity  14

1.7. Structural development and remaining challenges  16

2. REVIEWING THE ERASMUS+ PROPOSAL  18

2.1. Linking broader ambitions to budgetary realities  19

2.1.1. Evolution of the issue  19

2.1.2. Review of the Commission proposal  20

2.1.3. Recommendations  22

2.2. Balancing flexibility with governance and oversight in Erasmus+  22

2.2.1. Evolution of the issue  22

2.2.2. Review of the Commission proposal  24

2.2.3. Recommendations  25

2.3. Adequacy of support  26

2.3.1. Evolution of the issue  26

2.3.2. Review of the Commission proposal  28

2.3.3. Recommendations  28

2.4. Inclusion and unequal access  29

2.4.1. Evolution of the issue  29

2.4.2. Review of the Commission proposal  31

2.4.3. Recommendations  32

2.5. Administrative complexity  33

2.5.1. Evolution of the issue  33

2.5.2. Review of the Commission proposal  34

2.5.3. Recommendations  35

3. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS  37

REFERENCES  39