Commission gives a boost to youth mobility in Europe
Erasmus (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a European Union student exchange programme established in 1987. On the 27 March 2017, the European Commission presented an initiative under the Erasmus+ programme which further supports learning and mobility of young Europeans. Called “Move2Learn, Learn2Move”, it will enable at least 5,000 young citizens to travel to another EU country in a sustainable manner – individually or together with their school class. The one-off initiative, which is linked to the 30th anniversary of the Erasmus programme. The programme has two central priorities; to put a renewed focus on Europe’s youth, and to facilitate EU citizens’ mobility, particularly low emission mobility.
Move2Learn, Learn2Move builds on an idea put forward by the European Parliament in 2016. It will be implemented through eTwinning, the world’s biggest teachers’ network. Part of Erasmus+, it enables teachers and pupils across Europe to develop projects together through an online platform.
Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: “Transport is not about tracks, ships or motorways; it is about people. We want to give young Europeans the chance to discover Europe. We also want to encourage them to travel in an environmentally friendly way, which is why CO2 emissions will be taken into account. I am also happy that we can count on the active participation of transport operators to help strengthen the initiative.”
The initiative will be open to school classes of students aged 16 and above. Students will either travel in a group as part of a school trip or individually, depending on the decision of parents and teachers. All transport modes, operators and lines can be selected, taking into account sustainability criteria and points of departure and destination of the participating students.
Source: European Commission – Press Releases europa.eu/press-release