Organisations across the UK come together to launch Brexit campaign to #KeepErasmusPlus
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Youth and third sector organisations across the United Kingdom are
to launch KeepErasmusPlus, a national campaign to save a vital
European exchange programme which has benefited over half a million
people. Erasmus+ is a European funding programme for
education, training, youth and sport. It enables people -
especially those who can't otherwise afford it - to study, work,
volunteer, teach and train in other countries. Erasmus+ funds all
sorts of educational activities...Request free trial
Youth and third sector organisations across the United Kingdom are to launch KeepErasmusPlus, a national campaign to save a vital European exchange programme which has benefited over half a million people. Erasmus+ is a European funding programme for education, training, youth and sport. It enables people - especially those who can't otherwise afford it - to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in other countries. Erasmus+ funds all sorts of educational activities in different settings, including in schools, youth exchanges, cultural projects, volunteering, vocational training and studying at university abroad. Over the past 30 years, 600,000 people from the UK have taken part in Erasmus+. Between 2014 and 2020, Erasmus+ will have been worth £793 million to the UK. The Campaign Through partnership across the 6 Erasmus+ sectors we will lobby politicians across the UK, to maintain participation in Erasmus+ after Brexit. The campaign will emphasise the positive impact of Erasmus+ on individuals and communities. We are asking individuals and organisations to:
Rob Young, Vice President of National Union of Students UK believes the benefits of studying abroad cannot be underestimated: “Studying abroad has a significant positive impact on employment prospects after graduating and enables students to build confidence, skills and lasting international relationships. These benefits have a particularly big impact for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is absolutely vital that we protect these transformative opportunities. The Erasmus+ scheme accounts for 55% of all study abroad for UK students, and to lose that would be catastrophic. I am proud to be a part of this campaign to protect a programme which has given so much to our country and our students.” Emily Beever, European Campaign Lead, YouthLink Scotland said: “In the midst of uncertainty on our future relationship with Europe, we say join us to celebrate the great success story of Erasmus+ in the UK. We would like to see the Prime Minister make a commitment to the continuation of Erasmus+, a programme that already involves non-EU members, including Iceland and Norway. This funding has given life-changing opportunities to young people from some of our most disadvantaged communities.” Commenting on the launch, Paul Glaze, CEO, Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services said:
“CWVYS and the voluntary youth work sector in Wales are pleased to lend full support to the KeepErasmusPlus campaign. During the last 30 years, Erasmus+ has provided hugely positive opportunities for young people, youth work organisations and communities in Wales. It is imperative that the immense social, cultural and economic benefits of Erasmus+ are still available for future generations.” Notes to editors List of current partners – this is a rolling campaign and we are adding partners all the time:
NUS UK YouthLink Scotland Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services British Youth Council Momentum World Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations Carers Scotland Scottish Youth Parliament Newbold Trust Glasgow Council on Alcohol Leonard Cheshire Scotland Elevate Xchange Scotland A & M Scotland East of Scotland European Consortium (ESEC) Greenock Morton FC The Surefoot Effect Young Scot Project Scotland
What is Erasmus+? Erasmus+ is a European funding programme for education, training, youth and sport. It enables people - especially those who can't otherwise afford it - to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in other countries. Erasmus+ funds all sorts of educational activities in different settings, including in schools, youth exchanges, cultural projects, volunteering, vocational training and studying at university abroad. In 2014, Erasmus and other programmes (Comenius, Erasmus, Grundtvig, Leonardo, and Youth in Action) joined together to become Erasmus+. Over the past 30 years, 600,000 people from the UK have taken part in Erasmus+. Between 2014 and 2020, Erasmus+ will have been worth £793 million to the UK. Further info: HYPERLINK "https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk" https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk What are the benefits of Erasmus+? Erasmus+ boosts skills and employability, as well as modernising education, training, and youth work. It provides professional development opportunities for educators including study visits, job shadowing, training and the development of innovative resources. It’s not just individuals that benefit from Erasmus+. Charities, businesses and wider communities also benefit from the programme, gaining volunteers, additional training and international networks. Will people from the UK still benefit from Erasmus+ after Brexit? The UK government and the EU haven't agreed this yet. We know it's possible for the UK to continue to participate in Erasmus+ after leaving the EU. Countries like Iceland, Norway and Turkey, who aren’t members of the EU, still participate as partners in Erasmus+, each with a unique model of participation. Further info: HYPERLINK "http://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/participating-countries" www.erasmusplus.org.uk/participating-countries We're asking the UK Government to commit to maintaining participation in Erasmus+ programme after Brexit. Take action It's up to us take action to #KeepErasmusPlus. There are three things you can do: Sign the petition to #KeepErasmusPlus below Contact your HYPERLINK "http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/" MP to ask them to support #KeepErasmusPlus Share your Erasmus+ story on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using hashtag #KeepErasmusPlus Sign the petition We're asking the UK Government to commit to maintaining participation in Erasmus+ programme after Brexit. Will you join us? Sign: HYPERLINK "http://bit.ly/KeepErasmusPlus" http://bit.ly/KeepErasmusPlus |