Inclusion and Diversity

The Programme seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion, diversity and fairness across all its actions. Organisations and participants with fewer opportunities themselves are at the heart of these objectives. With this in mind, the programme puts mechanisms and resources at their disposal. When designing their projects and activities, organisations should have an inclusive approach, making them accessible to a diverse range of participants.

National Agencies are also vital in supporting projects with a view to be as inclusive and diverse as possible. Based on the overall principles and mechanisms at the European level, National Agencies will draw up inclusion and diversity plans to best address the needs of participants with fewer opportunities and to support the organisations working with these target groups in their national context.

At the same time, the SALTO Resource Centres supporting the implementation of the Programme are also key players in promoting and rolling out inclusion and diversity measures, in particular in regard to gathering knowledge and conceiving and running capacity-building activities for National Agency staff and programme beneficiaries. Likewise, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) plays an equally important role for the programme strands that are managed in direct management.

In third countries not associated to the Programme, EU Delegations and, where they exist, the National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs) and Erasmus+ Focal Points are key in bringing the programme closer to the relevant target groups.

In order to implement these principles, the Framework on inclusion measures ¹ as well as the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy ² covering all programme fields have been developed to support easier access to funding for a wider range of organisations, and to better reach out to more participants with fewer opportunities. They also set up the space and mechanisms for projects which intend to work on inclusion and diversity related issues. The Strategy aims to help address the barriers different target groups may face in accessing such opportunities within Europe and beyond.

The list of such potential barriers, spelt out below, is not exhaustive and is meant to provide a reference in taking action with a view to increasing accessibility and outreach to people with fewer opportunities. These barriers can hinder their participation both as stand-alone factors and in combination:

• Disabilities: This includes physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder someone’s full and effective participation in society on the same footing as others ³ .
• Health problems: Barriers may result from health issues including severe illnesses, chronic diseases, or any  other physical or mental health-related situation that prevents someone from participating in the programme.
• Barriers linked to education and training systems: Individuals struggling to perform in education and training systems for various reasons, early school-leavers, NEETs (people not in education, employment or training) and low-skilled adults may face barriers. Although other factors may play a role, these educational difficulties, while possibly linked to personal circumstances, mostly result from educational systems which create structural limitations and/or do not fully take into account the individual’s particular needs. Individuals can also face barriers to participation when the structure of curricula makes it difficult to undertake a learning or training mobility abroad as part of their studies.
• Cultural differences: While cultural differences may be perceived as barriers by people from any background, they can particularly affect people with fewer opportunities. Such differences may represent significant barriers to learning in general, all the more for people with a migrant or refugee background – including but not limited to newly-arrived migrants, people belonging to a national or ethnic minority, sign language users, or people with linguistic adaptation and cultural inclusion difficulties. Being exposed to foreign languages and cultural differences when taking part in any kind of programme activities may put some individuals off and in a way limit the benefits from their participation. Such cultural differences may even prevent potential participants from applying for support through the programme, thereby representing an entry barrier altogether.
• Social barriers: Social adjustment difficulties, such as limited social competences, anti-social or high-risk behaviours; (former) offenders, (former) drug or alcohol abusers, or social marginalisation may represent a barrier. Other social barriers can stem from family circumstances - for instance, being the first in the family to access higher education or being a parent (especially a single parent), a caregiver, a breadwinner or an orphan, or having lived or currently living in institutional care.
• Economic barriers: Economic disadvantage, for instance a low living standard, low income, learners who need to work to support themselves, dependence on the social welfare system, long-term unemployment, precarious situations or poverty, being homeless, in debt or with financial problems, may represent a barrier. Other difficulties may derive from the limited transferability of services (in particular support to people with fewer opportunities) that need to be "mobile" together with the participant participating in activities away from their place of residence or, all the more, abroad.  
• Barriers linked to discrimination: Barriers can occur as a result of discrimination linked to gender, age, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or intersectional factors (a combination of two or several of the mentioned kinds of discrimination).
• Geographical barriers: Living in, for example, remote or rural areas, on small islands or in peripheral/outermost regions ⁴ , in urban suburbs, in less serviced areas (limited public transport, poor facilities) or less developed areas in third countries, may constitute a barrier.

Digital Transformation

To support the successful digital transformation and address societal challenges such as AI or disinformation more effectively, Europe needs education, training and youth systems that are fit for the digital age. In line with the strategic priorities of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), and the two Council Recomentations ⁵ adopted in November 2023 on a) the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training, and b) improving the provision of digital skills in education and training, the Erasmus+ programme plays a key role in supporting citizens of all ages in acquiring the digital skills and competences they need to live, learn, work, exercise their rights, be informed, access online services, communicate, critically consume, create and disseminate digital education content.

The programme will support the first strategic priority of the Action Plan, the development of a high-performing digital education ecosystem, by building capacity and critical understanding on how to exploit the opportunities offered by digital technologies for teaching and learning in all types of education and training institutions at all levels and for all sectors, and to develop and implement digital transformation plans for educational institutions.

The programme will also support the second strategic priority of the Action Plan by supporting actions aimed at enhancing digital skills and competence development at all levels of society and for everyone (including young people with fewer opportunities, students, job seekers and workers). The focus will be on fostering both basic and advanced digital skills as well as digital literacy, which has become essential for everyday life and for enabling people to participate fully in civil society and democracy.

In line with these two strategic priorities of the Action Plan, the European Digital Education Hub was established to reinforce cooperation on digital education at the EU level and to contribute to exchange of good practices, co-creation and experimentation. The aim of the Hub is to support Member States through closer cross-sectoral cooperation by addressing digital education and training in a lifelong learning perspective. The Hub connects national authorities, the private sector, experts, researchers, education and training providers and civil society through a more agile development of policy and practice in digital education.

In order to implement this policy framework through the Programme, a Digital Strategy ⁶ covering all programme fields have been designed with the aim to help programme beneficiaries and implementing actors to successfully develop the digital dimension of funded projects.

The Programme should reach out to a larger target group both within and beyond the Union by a greater use of information, communication and technology tools, combined use of physical mobility and virtual learning and virtual cooperation.

Environment and fight against climate change

Environment and climate action are key priorities for the EU now and in the future. The European Green Deal Communication is the European new growth strategy and recognising the key role of schools, training institutions and universities in engaging with pupils, parents, and the wider community on the changes needed for a successful transition to climate neutrality by 2050. In addition, the Council Recommendation on learning for the green transition emphasises the need to provide learners of all ages with opportunities to find out about the climate crisis and sustainability through both formal and non-formal education, and to make learning for the green transition a priority in education and training policies and programmes. Sustainability should become a part of the entire spectrum of education and training, including curricula, professional development for educators as well as buildings, infrastructure and operations.

The Erasmus+ programme is a key instrument for building knowledge, skills, and attitudes on climate change and supporting sustainable development within the European Union and beyond.

In order to implement this policy framework through the Programme, a Strategy on green transition and sustainable development ⁶ covering all programme fields have been designed with the aim to help programme beneficiaries and implementing actors to successfully develop the green dimension of funded projects.

The programme will increase the number of mobility opportunities in green forward-looking domains which foster the development of competences, enhance career prospects and engage participants in strategic areas for sustainable growth, with special attention to rural development (sustainable farming, management of natural resources, soil protection, bio-agriculture). Moreover, Erasmus+, with mobility at its core, should strive for carbon-neutrality by promoting sustainable transport modes and more environmentally responsible behavior.

Environment and the fight against climate change is a horizontal priority in selecting projects. Priority will be given to projects aimed at developing competences in various green sectors, including those within the framework of the contribution from education and culture to sustainable development goals, developing green sectorial skills strategies and methodologies and future-oriented curricula, as well as initiatives that support the planned approaches of the participating organisations regarding environmental sustainability.

The Programme supports the use of innovative practices to make learners, staff and youth workers true actors of change (e.g. save resources, reduce energy use, waste and carbon footprint, opt for sustainable food and mobility choices). Priority will also be given to projects that – through education, training, youth and sport activities - enable behavioural changes for individual preferences, cultural values, awareness, and more generally support active engagement for sustainable development.

Therefore, organisations and participants involved should strive to incorporate green practices in all projects when designing activities, which will encourage them to discuss and learn about environmental issues, to reflect about local actions and to come up with greener ways of implementing their activities.

Platforms such as the European School Education Platform (including eTwinning) and EPALE will continue to produce support materials and facilitate the exchange of effective educational practices and policies for environmental sustainability. Erasmus+ is also a powerful instrument to reach out to and engage with a wide spectrum of players in our society (schools, universities, VET providers, youth and sport organisations, NGOs, local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, etc.) who can become active agents in the transition towards climate neutrality by 2050.

Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement

The Erasmus+ Programme addresses the citizens’ limited participation in democratic processes and their lack of knowledge about the European Union, and tries to help them overcome the difficulties in actively engaging and participating in their communities and in the Union's political and social life. Strengthening citizens’ understanding of the European Union from an early age is crucial for the Union’s future. In addition to formal education, non-formal learning can enhance the citizens’ understanding of the European Union and foster a sense of belonging.

The Programme supports active citizenship and ethics in lifelong learning; it fosters the development of social and intercultural competences, critical thinking and media literacy. Priority is given to projects that offer opportunities for people’s participation in democratic life, as well as social and civic engagement through formal or non-formal learning activities. The focus is put on raising awareness of and understanding the European Union context, notably in regards the common EU values and the principles of unity and diversity, as well as their social, cultural and historical heritage.

In the field of youth, the Youth Participation Strategy has been designed to provide a common framework and support the use of the Programme to foster youth participation in democratic life. The Strategy aims to improve the quality of youth participation in the Programme and complements key EU Youth Policy documents, such as the EU Youth Strategy and the EU Youth Goals. The Youth Participation Toolkit accompanies the Strategy and aims to, in practical terms, enhance the participation of young people in each of the actions of the Programme, by sharing know-how, recommendations, tools and practical guidance. The toolkit provides guidance on addressing this horizontal priority in Erasmus+ projects.

Footnote

1. Commission Implementing Decision - framework of inclusion measures of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps 2021-27 ↩ back
2. Implementation guidelines - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy ↩ back
3. For more information on this, please see the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ↩ back
4. The European Union counts nine outermost regions. These are French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Saint-Martin (France), Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain). ↩ back
5. Council Recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training (pdf) and Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training (pdf) ↩ back
6. 6 a b Implementation guidelines - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Digital Strategy