UK Youth welcomes the decision to rejoin Erasmus+

Rejoining Erasmus+ is not simply about mobility – it is about investing in a generation of young people and youth workers who are connected, compassionate, and ready to shape a fairer future.

UK Youth warmly welcomes the UK Government’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme. This is a significant and positive step that will restore vital opportunities for young people and youth workers across the UK to learn, connect, and lead beyond borders.

Erasmus+ is unique in its commitment to non-formal education, youth work, and youth social action. It enables young people to develop confidence, skills, and a sense of belonging through international exchange. For many young people – particularly those facing disadvantage – Erasmus+ has provided life-changing experiences that were simply not available through other mobility schemes.

Rejoining Erasmus+ also represents a crucial investment in the youth workforce. The programme’s support for youth worker mobility, training, and partnership-building has long strengthened the quality and inclusivity of youth work across the UK. It has also fostered vital collaboration on shared challenges such as mental health, climate action, youth employment, and social cohesion.

UK Youth is clear that rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme must ensure:

• A strong and well-resourced Youth Chapter, with dedicated funding for non-formal learning and youth-led activity
• Accessible and proportionate application systems that work for smaller and grassroots youth organisations
• A continued focus on social cohesion, wellbeing, and active citizenship – not just employment and higher education
• Youth-friendly visa and mobility arrangements that remove barriers to participation

We also welcome the opportunity this decision creates to rebuild long-standing partnerships with youth organisations across Europe and to ensure that young people’s voices from the UK are influential in shaping the future of European youth policy.

UK Youth looks forward to working closely with government and partners across the youth sector to support effective reassociation, rebuild capacity, and ensure that the benefits of Erasmus+ reach young people and youth workers in every community.