UFU, Alm.del - 2023-24 - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 268: Spm. om det danske positionspapir om det kommende Erasmus-program (2028-2034)

Uddannelses- og Forskningsudvalget 2023-24
UFU Alm.del
Offentligt

Note

Danish Position Paper on the Next Erasmus+ Programme Period

Since its inception more than 35 years ago, Erasmus+ has established itself as the

main vehicle for mobility and cooperation in education, youth and sport in Europe.

The programme has been of immense value in fostering European integration,

identity and values among younger generations. In a world where European cohe-

sion is ever more important, we must look ahead to the next Erasmus+ pro-

gramme period to ensure the continued success and effectiveness of the pro-

gramme. The proposals of this paper can be met through reprioritisation and in-

creased cost-efficiency and does not pre-empt the future MFF.

The main focus of the programme should continue to be on education and learn-

ing mobility as well as international cooperation within the fields of education,

youth and sport while considering challenges such as climate change and the

need for skilled labour in the EU to underpin the green transition.

The pillars of the programme have proven to be key drivers of personal, academic,

and professional growth for participants, fostering increased knowledge, intercul-

tural understanding, and lifelong connections. We support the bottom-up approach

of the programme, which allows for flexibility at both national and institutional level.

It is essential to preserve the freedom for self-determination, as this ensures that

participating countries and institutions can tailor their actions according to their

specific needs and circumstances.

Building on the existing initiatives, we should strive further along the set paths

while ensuring European initiatives are balanced with full respect for the basic

principle of national competence in education and training.

This positions paper highlights the main principles and issues to be address in or-

der to achieve a successful Erasmus+ in the future.

Key messages:

1. Consolidate and build on the strengths of the current Erasmus+ and bol-

ster the budget share for priorities such as VET

We recognise that the Erasmus+ programme is well-functioning and has a positive

impact on education, learning and sports mobility as well as international coopera-

tion. The brand of the programme carries a strong reputation and association with

quality and valuable experiences. It is of utmost importance that we maintain and

strengthen this position in the next Erasmus+ programme. Thus, we should focus

on the core tasks and strengths of the programme rather than expanding into new

fields or novelties.

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In school education, we should continue the development of Teacher Academies

as a contribution to the challenge of recruiting and retaining teachers across Eu-

rope. In vocational education and training (VET), we need to consider the need for

skilled labour across Europe and support increased capacity for VET providers to

strengthen mobility by bolstering the share of the budget dedicated to VET in order

to boost the attractiveness of VET. In higher education (HE) new, flexible mobility

formats for students and staff should be introduced, and European Universities

should continue to evolve. In the youth sector, new grant and mobility options ca-

tering for diverse actors should be explored to enhance accessibility. And both

adult learning and mobility in sports should remain integral parts of Erasmus+ en-

gaging a broader scope of participants.

The openness of the programme to countries outside of the EU is a significant

strength. In this light, the international dimension of the programme could be in-

creased and expanded throughout the various programme elements. Furthermore,

we believe that encouraging new programme countries to participate can enhance

collaboration and understanding.

While the base structure of the programme with the current three key actions

should be maintained, we need to assess the impact and relevance of all compo-

nents of Erasmus+ in order to have the most efficient use of resources. To this

end, we believe consideration should be given to the current broad field of central-

ised actions, including the DiscoverEU programme, as well as to whether funding

for selected institutions should be upheld automatically.

2. Continue on the path towards a green and inclusive Erasmus+

In the context of a world where sustainability and climate challenges need to be

addressed, we emphasise the importance of green and sustainable mobility. The

climate crisis necessitates a transition towards more environmentally friendly prac-

tices, and students themselves are increasingly demanding sustainable options.

To make green mobility a viable and attractive choice, it is crucial to consider fund-

ing opportunities for green mobility initiatives. Resources can be dedicated to sup-

port sustainable travel; the programme can contribute to reducing its carbon foot-

print and promoting responsible practices.

We believe the work on creating a more inclusive programme should be further

pursued. This could be done by creating the necessary funding schemes, allowing

for more flexible mobility in terms of both length and form and by rethinking appli-

cation and reporting procedures making them more accessible to the increasingly

diversified user group.

3. Ensure an accessible and flexible Erasmus+ with an increased emphasis

on user friendliness

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Simplification and flexibility are key to improving the programme. Streamlining ad-

ministrative processes, merging programmes, where applicable, and ensuring

functioning IT systems are crucial for a smooth operation. Concrete steps in this

direction would be to merge the European Solidarity Corps with Erasmus+ as well

as integrating the youth area on equal terms with the different education subsets

in Education and Training in order to increase efficiency and reduce administration

costs. This would also allow for better allocation of funds nationally to areas with

strong needs such as VET or HE.

More flexibility could be given at national level in order to prioritise, adapt and ad-

just programme implementation to specific national, regional and local circum-

stances to achieve the best use of the funding available. Therefore, decentralised

allocation of funds should remain the primary principle.

User friendliness at all levels should be in focus when developing IT tools or intro-

ducing new administrative procedures. Decreasing the administrative burden

throughout the programme should be sought and new tools should only be intro-

duced if proven functional. The strong reputation of the Erasmus+ brand must re-

main intact.

The abovementioned key messages are elaborated in the following annex.

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Annex

1. Consolidate, focus and build on the strengths of the current Erasmus+

and bolster the budget share for priorities such as VET

The programme’s success lies in its ability to facilitate education mobility and inter-

national cooperation, fostering personal, academic, and professional development.

To maintain the programme's positive reputation, it is crucial that quality continues

to be a key guiding principle.

A programme open to the world

One of the significant strengths of the Erasmus+ programme is its openness to

countries outside the European Union. We encourage

opening up the pro-

gramme to new programme countries

–

particularly with a special focus on

Ukraine. Embracing new programme countries and fostering cooperation with

them enriches the diversity of perspectives, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and

enhances the overall impact of the programme. It also contributes to the European

Union's broader goal of promoting stability, prosperity, and collaboration beyond

its borders.

Prioritisation

While the

Erasmus+ programme has expanded to encompass a wide range of

activities and initiatives,

it is essential to ensure that the core objectives of edu-

cation and training mobility and cooperation remain at the forefront. By

assessing

the impact and relevance of each component,

we can make informed decisions

about where resources should be allocated most effectively.

We suggest giving special attention to

considering the number of centralised

actions

within the programme. Currently, the programme funds numerous smaller

actions that may not always align with the primary objectives. By prioritising these

actions based on their educational value, we can streamline the programme and

eliminate redundancy, ultimately simplifying administrative processes and enhanc-

ing efficiency.

As part of the prioritisation process, we recommend

considering the rationale

behind the DiscoverEU programme

in its current form. While the programme

provides young people with travel opportunities, it is crucial to assess its educa-

tional value and its alignment with the broader objectives of the Erasmus+ pro-

gramme. If a strong educational value cannot be found it may be appropriate to

re-

consider whether the DiscoverEu programme should be continued.

Similarly, we believe that the continual

funding for selected institutions should

not be upheld automatically.

While recognising the importance of historical ties,

funding allocations should be subject to periodic evaluation and consideration of

current needs and priorities. This ensures that resources are allocated where they

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can have the most significant impact and benefit a broader range of educational

institutions and students.

School Education

Participation in mobility and international cooperation has the potential to

strengthen the individual subjects, such as languages, social studies, history etc.

as well as the interdisciplinary approach to subjects in teaching as a professional.

The Erasmus+ programme contributes to strengthening the pupils’ and students'

understanding of the human interaction with nature and the environment, as well

as civil participation and citizenship, digital competences and the inclusion

agenda. Therefore, we recommend that

international mobility will be a possibil-

ity in the field of School Education

by using the experience achieved within the

field of vocational education and training in the current programme period.

We recognise a need for an increased focus on sustainability and a green dimen-

sion in the projects implemented in the framework of Erasmus+, and the field of

school education can contribute to raise awareness by having clear prioritisation

for subjects in both mobility and cooperation projects.

The possibility of peer-to-peer learning within the

early childhood education and

care sector (ECEC) needs to be further developed

as this sector is underrepre-

sented in the Erasmus+ programme. More awareness of the inclusion of this sec-

tor is encouraged, e.g. by changing the name from the field

of “School Education”

to “School Education and Early Childhood”.

Erasmus+

Teacher Academies

create partnerships and promote cross-sectoral

cooperation between teacher education institutions and training providers within

the fields of higher education, school education and vocational education and

training at a national and European level. To further develop the personal compe-

tences of teachers at the beginning of their career we support that alliances being

established can be further developed and opened up to newcomers while uphold-

ing a balance in numbers and needs. The partnerships could also include partici-

pants from the field of adult and upper secondary education.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

There lies a great potential within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) in

terms of fostering increased mobility and international cooperation. In light of the

growing focus on the

need for skills and competences for the green and digi-

tal transitions,

we recognise the crucial role of VET in preparing individuals for

the evolving job market. To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of VET mobil-

ity within the Erasmus+ programme, it is essential to

adopt a multiple and flexi-

ble approach that caters to the diverse needs of VET learners

and appren-

tices. We should also like to see a bolstering of the share of the budget dedicated

to VET.

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Supporting capacity-building

within the VET sector is of paramount importance

to promote and facilitate the mobility of VET learners and apprentices. We encour-

age the establishment of

permanent funding mechanisms

in this regard cover-

ing programme countries, such as were introduced under the European policy ex-

perimentation action outlined in the draft Annual Work Programme 2024. These

funding mechanisms could include seed funding for the preparation of applications

for KA2 projects. Such an ongoing support would enable VET institutions and or-

ganisations to enhance their capacity to provide quality mobility experiences and

ensure that learners and apprentices can fully benefit from these opportunities.

Promoting mobility in the field of vocational education is not only important within

Europe but also in connection with maintaining strong links with the rest of the

world. VET students should be encouraged to pursue mobility experiences outside

of the EU and as such the

international dimension

of the programme should be

strengthened by increasing the percentage of mobility grants for students to coun-

tries outside the Erasmus+ programme.

We view the Centres of Vocational Excellence introduced in the current pro-

gramme period as welcome additions in fostering cross-sectoral cooperation and

partnerships in the field of VET. The further development of this initiative could be

promoted by establishing

communities of practice

between the new centres

drawing inspiration from the work carried out within the European Universities initi-

ative.

Higher Education

The Erasmus+ programme is and should remain the main vehicle when it comes

to cooperation and exchange within higher education in Europe, providing a cru-

cial foundation for international cooperation within the higher education sector.

To further enhance mobility opportunities for students and staff within higher edu-

cation, flexibility in mobility lengths and types should be increased and adapted to

a reality with diverse living situations for both students and staff. We propose the

introduction of funding for short physical mobility periods,

in addition to

blended mobility programmes. In addition to this, it could also be explored how the

programme could better support internationalisation at home experiences. Simi-

larly, more flexibility should also be created when it comes to

short-term staff

mobility allowing for shorter periods

than is the case today. Staff mobility could

also be furthered by allocating support for receiving institutions with a focus on in-

creasing the quality of such stays. This expansion of funding options would cater

to a wider range of students and staff and may be especially attractive to those

with fewer opportunities or family obligations. In the same spirit of increasing flexi-

bility, we suggest streamlining the mobility action by

combining key action 131

and 171

allowing for more flexible use by the institutions. Finally increased flexibil-

ity could also be considered in terms of mobility formats used in Erasmus Mundus

Joint Masters.

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We emphasise the importance of maintaining a bottom-up approach and

respect-

ing the diverse national education systems

across Europe. The Erasmus+ pro-

gramme should not impose forced harmonisation, but instead recognise the

strength and value of the continent's educational diversity. Rather than viewing dif-

ferent national circumstances as barriers, we should embrace them as sources of

innovation and creativity.

It is crucial to ensure that the Erasmus+ programme does not create new parallel

structures or framework for higher education structures. Instead, the focus should

be on

fully utilising the structures and tools established through the Bologna

process.

The Bologna process has laid the foundation for common structures in

higher education across Europe and has promoted student mobility. By building

upon this existing framework, we can enhance cooperation, facilitate credit recog-

nition, and streamline administrative processes within Erasmus+.

While it is important to promote cooperation within the European Union, it is

equally

vital to maintain an openness to the outside world.

Encouraging stu-

dents to pursue mobility experiences outside the EU can provide valuable insights

and broaden their perspectives. Therefore, we advocate for further strengthening

the international dimension of the Erasmus+ programme. This can be achieved by

allowing for the allocation of a

higher percentage of mobility grants for stu-

dents to countries not associated to the Erasmus+ programme,

enabling

them to engage with diverse cultures and education systems worldwide. Espe-

cially for smaller institutions the 20% margin is quite limiting on their activities.

The

European Universities initiative

holds significant potential in promoting col-

laboration and excellence in higher education. It is essential to explore viable solu-

tions for future funding, ensuring that the initiative can continue to thrive. One pos-

sible approach could involve establishing a focused

one-stop-shop mechanism

that simplifies administrative processes for the alliances by allowing alliances to

access various funding sources, such as the next Framework Programme of re-

search and innovation, through the same application procedure but with full re-

spect for the various programmes’ funding rules.

Along the same line to avoid

funding being consumed by bureaucracy, simpler application and evaluation pro-

cedures should be pursued. While promoting national funding for the European

Universities, it should not be a requirement to allocate national funding to projects,

as funding systems vary across Europe. This

flexibility allows each country to

contribute according to their funding system

and supports a competitive and

dynamic environment. Additionally, new alliances should still have opportunities to

enter the programme while upholding a balance when it comes to the total number

of alliances, ensuring that the

initiative remains accessible for new actors.

do not however see it as a goal in itself to expand existing alliances or increase

the total number. Furthermore, it is important that the initiative keeps a bottom-up

approach allowing for variation in terms of alliance goals and focus areas.

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At the same time, it is also important to continue allowing for the building of new

institutional partnerships and in this light focus should also be given to

strengthen

seed funding for new emerging partnerships

ensuring the needed stepping

stones for early stage cooperation.

Adult education

The Adult sector must

continue to provide lifelong learning

and to contribute to

the foreign language skills, employability, active citizenship, democratic skills and

the European identity of citizens in a changing labour market. Awareness should

be on the vast spectre of different institutions operating in this field in order to cre-

ate a programme with enough flexibility to sufficiently cater for these differences.

With this in mind, we suggest a possibility for

one-day mobility activities

as well

as a

new mobility format addressed directly at small newcomer organisa-

tions

with very limited organisational capacity. The new format we suggest would

set aside a percentage of the budget for mobility projects, so small newcomer or-

ganisations would be able to make a very short application for funding of limited

mobility projects between the formal application rounds. The projects could be

similar to preparatory visits, and the final reports would also be very easily acces-

sible. This possibility would ensure an easier access to the programme, especially

for organisations in the non-formal and informal parts of the sector.

Furthermore, we recommend that

international cooperation should be a possi-

bility in the field of Adult Education

by using the experience achieved within the

field of vocational education and training in the current programme period.

Youth

Youth mobility provides opportunities for personal and professional development,

fosters a sense of active citizenship and promotes European values among young

people. Encouraging young individuals to engage in social, cultural, and civic ac-

tivities that transcend national boundaries can contribute to the development of a

cohesive European identity and to strengthening the social cohesion within the Eu-

ropean Union. To further enhance the quality of youth mobility the

introduction of

blended mobility options

could be considered in order to allow for digital on-

boarding prior to physical mobility.

Accreditation within the field of youth is appreciated, and therefore we support an

accreditation model including all non-formal and informal learning opportunities

within the field, i.e. both mobility of young people, youth workers and youth partici-

pation activities. The field of youth mobility is dominated by smaller actors often

driven by people working on a voluntary basis and with a high degree of rotation.

This mean that institutional knowledge and experiences with Erasmus+ application

procedures are often limited. In order to aid actors in overcoming these challenges

consortia applications

on behalf of a larger group of actors could be introduced

similarly to what exist within adult education. However, the organisations applying

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as a coordinator of a consortium have to be public bodies or authorities responsi-

ble for the field of youth, e.g. municipalities, or umbrella organisations representing

a number of organisations active within the field of youth work.

Recognising the importance of empowering and supporting young people, we ad-

vocate for the

integration of micro-grants

(small grants up to 3.000

€),

which

were made available to national activities during the European Year of Youth

2022, into the new Erasmus+ programme. These micro-grants provided young

people with opportunities for personal and professional growth through simplified

application procedures. The grants were applied for by groups of youth organisa-

tions. We suggest that the possibility of cascade funding / micro grants can be in-

cluded in the application for accreditation, i.e. the public bodies/authorities respon-

sible for the field of youth or umbrella organisations can be accredited to provide

micro-grants directly to informal groups of young people. By

making these grants

a permanent feature of the programme,

we can continue to nurture youth en-

gagement and enable the young people to pursue their aspirations.

Finally, we suggest

not upholding Youth as a separate header

but instead inte-

grating this area on equal terms with the different education subsets in Education

& Training. This would also allow for a more efficient use of resources and the

possibility to reallocate funds to areas with more demand such as VET or higher

education.

Sport

The Erasmus+ Programme plays an important role in facilitating international co-

operation between sport organisations and sport should

continue to be a focus

in Erasmus+.

Priority should be given to cross-border activities and projects that

deliver real added value at the European level. The current opportunities for the

mobility of sport staff, including trainers, is a strength in order to make best use of

the funding available. The possibility of creating further support opportunities tar-

geting trainers and staff partaking in

job-shadowing opportunities

aimed at

knowledge-sharing and capacity-building should be considered. More flexibility re-

garding the length of the exchange period, as well as additional support the host-

ing organisation, should be considered to ensure the quality and sustainability of

the exchange.

2. Continue on the path towards a green and inclusive Erasmus+

Sustainability is a pressing concern, and we highlight the need to promote green

mobility.

Strengthening funding for sustainable travel options

will make them

more viable and align with user demands and climate objectives. Such an ap-

proach should be taken across the programme as a whole. In additions to this, fur-

ther specific initiatives can be taken in the specific subsections of the programme

as suggested under the individual subsections under key message 1.

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Inclusion remains a priority

for us in the next Erasmus+ programme period.

While increased funding for participants (students, pupils and young people) has

been instrumental in enhancing inclusivity, institutions also face administrative

challenges in promoting mobility among new target groups. Therefore, we suggest

a general approach across the programme of increasing

flexibility in terms of

formats and lengths of

mobility actions for all types of participants. We encour-

age

inclusion funding directed at institutions

and organisations as a supple-

ment - especially when it comes to Higher Education Institutions and organisations

involved in voluntary projects where organisational support today is limited com-

pared to other fields of education and youth, i.e. organisational support for higher

education and voluntary projects is not directly linked to the full number of partici-

pants with fewer opportunities. Financial support could enable institutions and or-

ganisations to overcome administrative barriers, develop targeted support mecha-

nisms, and ensure that a wider range of students, including those from disadvan-

taged backgrounds, can access and benefit from the programme.

3. Ensuring an accessible and flexible Erasmus+ with an increased empha-

sis on user friendliness

We stress the importance of simplification, efficiency, and flexibility in the Eras-

mus+ programme to ensure its accessibility and effectiveness. The programme

should strive to create conditions that allow for the

best possible use of funds

with the least amount of bureaucracy,

making it as accessible as possible for

end-users and promoting broader participation.

Simplification, Efficiency, and Flexibility

Over the years, the

complexity of the Erasmus+ programme has increased,

despite efforts towards simplification. The grant beneficiary agreement and the

programme guide have grown significantly in size, resulting in a higher administra-

tive burden for users and National Agencies (NAs) and entry-barriers for organisa-

tions with limited experience, organisational capacity and international network. To

address this issue, we suggest focusing on having

fewer, more overarching am-

bitions

for the programme as well as allowing for greater freedom in local adapta-

tion and weighing of priorities to different national contexts and unforeseen circum-

stances or crisis.

There is a need to

simplify and automate administrative procedures while re-

ducing the demands for documentation,

in order to alleviate the administrative

burden and make the programme more user-friendly

–

for instance through apply-

ing fewer evaluation and application criteria. Additionally, evaluation criteria should

be known by institutions from the get-go in order for them to be properly prepared.

Various types of new grants and amounts of top ups have over the years been

added to the programme in order to address different priorities like inclusion and

sustainability and order to cater for the many different needs of the programme.

We suggest that the funding mechanisms for the programme will be simplified and

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mainstreamed for the new programme in order to reduce the complexity and in-

crease the flexibility of the programme.

We strongly support the possibility for institutions and organisations to apply for

accreditations within all fields of education and training as well as youth

simplify the access for mobility activities. To ensure high quality and impact of mo-

bility programmes implemented by accredited institutions and organisations we

recommend that the possibility for being accredited is limited to public bodies, lo-

cal authorities responsible for the fields in question and umbrella organisations

representing several organisations or associations active within the fields.

An important barrier in terms of simplicity is the communication of procedures di-

rected at the users. With an increasingly more diverse user group it is of utmost

importance that application procedures and reporting directed at participants are

held in

simple and understandable language

as well as only gathering the most

needed information from beneficiaries.

Finally, we believe that

merging the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps

(ESC) programmes into one programme is a logical step towards simplification

and efficiency. Having a unified programme eliminates the need for separate ad-

ministrative structures, reducing bureaucratic overhead and enabling more effi-

cient use of funds. Leveraging the strong Erasmus+ brand, which carries a posi-

tive association, consolidates resources and promotes a cohesive approach to

mobility and cooperation. When merging Erasmus+ and European Solidarity

Corps (ESC) into one programme we recommend that the concept of “solidarity”

as well as support mechanisms in voluntary projects are maintained.

Functionality

Ensuring the functionality of the Erasmus+ programme is crucial for maintaining its

attractiveness and efficiency. Unfortunately, the programme has experienced

re-

curring IT issues

that have hampered its accessibility and caused a significant

waste of administrative resources. The frustrations resulting from malfunctioning

end-user platforms and technical glitches have posed challenges for NAs and ben-

eficiaries alike.

To address these issues, we strongly emphasise the need for functioning IT sys-

tems within the programme. It is essential to prioritise stability and reliability when

developing and implementing new technological solutions. Rather than rushing

into new platforms, it is prudent to

rely on existing working tools until new sys-

tems are fully developed and proven to be functional.

This approach mini-

mises disruptions and ensures a smoother transition for funding recipients and

NAs.

Addressing functionality issues and streamlining administrative processes are cru-

cial steps to optimise the efficiency of the Erasmus+ programme. By rectifying IT

problems, enhancing communication and support mechanisms, and

relying on

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proven tools,

we can eliminate unnecessary obstacles and ensure that the pro-

gramme operates smoothly and effectively. This will contribute to the overall satis-

faction of beneficiaries, end-users and NAs, and help to maintain the strong repu-

tation and attractiveness of the Erasmus+ brand.

The role of National and Commission Agencies

In order to foster simplification and flexibility we believe it pertinent to address the

role of both National Agencies and the Commission Agency and their cooperation.

To improve efficiency and knowledge sharing, we suggest increasing support and

collaboration between the European Commission and NAs on centralised actions.

Enhanced cooperation and information exchange will better

equip NAs to pro-

mote and inform about the centralised actions effectively.

By strengthening

the partnership between the Commission and NAs, the programme can optimize

resources, improve communication, and ensure effective implementation at all lev-

els. As part of this process the current distribution of central actions between key

action 2 and 3 could also be further streamlined.

In the process of simplifying the programme the European Commission and the

NAs still have to continue their efforts to ensure that the allocated funds are used

in accordance with the objectives of the programme and that the risk of organisa-

tions without affiliation to the education, youth and sport sectors applying for

grants to cooperation partnerships is minimised. Therefore, we support that the

target groups for applying for grants to cooperation partnerships are limited to in-

stitutions and organisations active within the fields of education and training, youth

and sports. This approach will also increase the impact of the implemented pro-

jects within the fields.

Decentralised allocation of the majority of funds

has proven to be effective in

promoting local initiatives and tailoring actions to national needs. We support the

continuation of this approach and recommend to further consider possibilities to al-

low NAs to have greater flexibility in distributing the decentralised funds based on

the specific national circumstances and priorities. As such

flexibility margins

could be increased for NAs,

empowering them to adapt to specific national cir-

cumstances effectively. This could also encompass more flexibility in allocation of

funds tied to specific regions. Along the same line we would also encourage con-

sidering a more even distribution of application deadlines throughout the year.

Finally, smaller programmes such as

Euroguidance, Europass, EQF and Youth-

Wiki should not be upheld as separate contracts,

but instead be part of the

general administration of the programme, as it would streamline the administrative

processes.

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