More than 30,000 participants in the ERASMUS+ programme 2014-2020
Conference Overview| EN
Mr Joseph Schembri Inauguration Speech | EN
“Since 2014, with the investment of €55 million, 714 projects successfully provided further opportunities for youth participation and education, leading to a stronger society.”
This was announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for European funds, Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, in his opening of the End of Year Conference. Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi together with Mr Joseph Schembri the Chief Executive Officer of the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA) praised the successful distribution of both the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps funds throughout the past 2014-2020 programming period.
Hon Zrinzo Azzopardi highlighted the benefits that such projects have on the personal and professional development of young people, deeming such projects an important investment in the country’s future. He emphasised the need for further investment in the ERASMUS+ Programme 2021 – 2027, in order to build on the current successful programming period, gaining more participants and having more inclusive projects for a better society.
In view of this, Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps Programme, Mr Joseph Schembri stated that one of the biggest aims of the National Agency is to continue reaching out to potential beneficiaries and increase the numbers of granted projects. He feels that this objective is being reached due to the increase in the number of submitted applications and granted projects.
Both Hon. Zrinzo Azzopardi and Joseph Schembri believe that the Erasmus+ programme is a key tool in tackling several issues and pressing agendas that are faced by society. Such issues include social inclusion, digitalisation, bridging the education and workplace gap, youth societal participation and the acquisition of informal skills.
Testimony of this were the experiences shared by various beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ Programme. Indeed, during this conference interventions were made by the University of Malta, Caritas Malta, Epilepsy Association, MCAST, Prisms and Karl Vella Foundation.
The European Commission Representation Office in Malta provided an overview of the policies within the Education sector that are being presented by the European Commission for the next period.
Mr Schembri concluded the conference by inviting potential applicants to join in the launch of the new Programme scheduled for January 2021.
Erasmus+ & ESC Statistics for the programming period 2014 – 2020
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the European Union Programmes Agency for further assistance on [email protected] or 25586132.