The Erasmus programme, created 25 years ago and funding student mobility, is arguably one of the biggest success stories of the EU. Now that the 7-year framework budget for training, youth and sport is coming up for renewal, why not call it ‘Erasmus for all’? That was the Commission’s idea, and some culture committee members approve. Erasmus is something good. It means support, financial support, it means travel. It's actually the only real brand we have in the EU. But most committee members don’t approve, and they want that name changed, most notably its chair, who is steering the package through Parliament. It makes a promise it can't keep: even Erasmus is not for all. And while the idea of sponsored mobility for a wider target group is laudable, vocational training professionals are sceptical about the reality. It’s a good idea. It’s not the idea or the concept that’s in question, but above all the means that will be provided so that it can be a success. This week, the committee will be debating the report which challenges the Commission’s proposals head on. They allocated only 56% of the planned budget to the programmes and want to keep the rest at their disposal. They won't do anything harmful with it, but they’ll do things they believe are important. But we are elected and the Commission isn't. But to achieve a better financing of the programme, which is already a dwarf compared with agriculture and regional policies, unity will be essential.

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