Portugal celebrates 35 years of the Erasmus programme: a journey of exchange and opportunities
Portugal kicks off the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ Programme with an event in Funchal, highlighting the importance of mobility for learning among students and teachers. The programme has been fundamental in building European identity, allowing thousands of young people to experience intercultural exchanges. Over the last 20 years, the number of Portuguese students studying in Europe has increased significantly, as has the number of foreign students admitted to Portugal. The new cycle of the programme, Erasmus+ 21|27, aims to triple the number of students on mobility, promoting innovation and quality in higher education. Measures such as encouraging student accommodation and mobility for secondary school students are essential parts of this strategy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deghtpV3aZ0 Celebrating 35 years of Erasmus+ , Portugal is beginning a phase of reflection and celebrations aimed at recognizing and valuing the positive impact that this program has had on the education of thousands of students. This article explores the important milestones in the trajectory of Erasmus in Portugal, its impact on higher education and the future prospects for mobility and learning through educational exchange. The beginning of a new era: 35 years of Erasmus+ The celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ Program officially began in Portugal on February 23, with theErasmus+ EF Roadmap event in Funchal. During this event, theMinister of Science, Technology and Higher Education , Manuel Heitor, shared reflections on the advances and successes of the program, which since its creation in 1987, has been a fundamental pillar in the construction of an integrated European identity. Academic mobility on the rise Over the past 20 years, the number of Portuguese students participating in mobility programs in Europe has increased significantly. In 2000, around two thousand students were involved, while in 2020, this number jumped to an impressive 10 thousand. In addition, the number of foreign students enrolled in Portuguese institutions has also grown, rising from two thousand to 15 thousand in the same period. This evolution demonstrates the global recognition of educational quality in Portugal and the trust placed in its higher education institutions. Impacts of the pandemic and recovery of mobility One notable aspect to be considered is the recovery of student mobility, which, according to recent data, has already reached around 50% compared to levels prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. This recovery is crucial, since the Erasmus+ program aims to deepen cultural exchanges and learning in a diverse European context. Future prospects: new goals and challenges With the launch of the new phase of the Erasmus+ programme, called Erasmus+ 21|27, Portugal has set itself the ambitious target of tripling student mobility by 2027, reaching around 30,000 exchange students annually. This objective requires strategic initiatives, including the implementation of the National Plan for Higher Education Accommodation (PNAES), which aims to facilitate student accommodation by financing 15,000 beds by 2026.
In addition to the targets linked to universities, there is a growing need to stimulate mobility among secondary school students and vocational education and training (VET) graduates. Currently, only 1.2% of graduates have the opportunity to participate in mobility, a figure that needs to be increased to 8% by 2027. This increase is crucial to ensure employability and the acquisition of both transversal and technical skills.The role of the Erasmus+ National Agency
National participation in the programme is managed by the
Erasmus+ National Agency for Education and Training , which is promoting a series of meetings and events to discuss and implement strategies that maximize exchange opportunities for teachers, students and educational institutions. One of these events was held at the Jesuit College, focusing on publicizing application opportunities for the education and vocational training sectors. The future of international opportunities The celebration of the 35th anniversary of Erasmus+ goes beyond mere festivity; it is a reaffirmation of Europe’s commitment tocultural and educational exchange. Erasmus represents not only a learning journey, but a transformative experience that shapes more aware citizens, prepared for global challenges. For more information about the programme and its guidelines, visit the Erasmus Guide
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. Comparison of the impacts and objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme in Portugal
Aspects Description Student Mobility
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Five-fold increase in the number of Portuguese students on mobility in Europe in the last 20 years.
Foreign Students in Portugal The number of international students in Portugal has grown six-fold in the same period. 2027 Target
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Triple student mobility, reaching 30,000 students per year.
Student Accommodation Funding of 15,000 beds by 2026 to support increased mobility. Vocational Education Boost the mobility of vocational education and training students, aiming to increase from 6% to 8% in the EU. Post-Pandemic Recovery
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Portugal has recovered around 50% of the student mobility lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Integration into European Networks Higher education system integrated into European networks reinforces quality and innovation. Cultural Importance Exchange promotes enriching cultural experiences among young students.
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The Erasmus+ Program
is celebrating its 35th anniversary in Portugal, celebrating a trajectory of exchange and learning that promotes the mobility of students, trainees and teachers. With special events marking this date, such as the «Erasmus+ EF Itinerary» in Funchal, the country reaffirms its commitment to education and European integration. An Introduction to Erasmus+
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Launched in 1987, Erasmus+ emerged as an innovative exchange program that aims to provide unique learning experiences. With mobility as its main focus, the program allows students and professionals to explore new cultures, broaden their horizons and acquire valuable knowledge. The evolution of this program over the years highlights the importance of educationin strengthening European identity. Impact of Erasmus+ on Education in Portugal
| The success of Erasmus+ in Portugal is evident in the significant increase in the participation of national and international students. Over the past 20 years, Portuguese student mobility to institutions across Europe has grown approximately fivefold, from two thousand in 2000 to ten thousand in 2020. At the same time, the number of foreign students choosing Portugal as a study destination has also increased, reflecting the recognition of the quality of Portuguese higher education. Recovery and New Opportunities After the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Portugal has already managed to recover around 50% of student mobility, demonstrating the resilience of the higher education system. The launch of the new phase of the program, Erasmus+ 21|27, promises to triple student mobility by 2027, with the goal of reaching around 30 thousand students on mobility annually. Support for Student Mobility In order to achieve these ambitious goals, several initiatives are being implemented. One of the main actions is the encouragement of accommodation | of students, through the National Plan for Higher Education Accommodation (PNAES). The Erasmus Agency is mobilising funding for 15,000 beds by 2026, thus helping to facilitate the experience of students who choose to study in Portugal. Inclusion of Young People in Various Situations Another important aspect is the need to extend mobility opportunities to young people in secondary education and vocational training. Increasing the participation of this group, which currently stands at around 1.2%, is crucial to promoting competitiveness, social justice and resilience in an increasingly globalised world. Celebrating the Future of Erasmus+ The celebrations of the 35th anniversary of Erasmus+ are not limited to recognising the past. They also look towards a future full of opportunities, with a focus on promoting European citizenship and valuing young people. National participation is managed by the Erasmus+ National Agency, which continues to implement initiatives to support students and institutions in their search for enriching experiences. |
| For more information on the Erasmus+ programme initiatives, please visit the links: | difference between Erasmus and Erasmus+ |
| , | innovation in supporting the elderly |
| , and | growth with new participants |
| . | Start Date: |
| 23 February, celebrations in Funchal. | Interventions: |
| Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education present. | Main Objective: |
| To strengthen student mobility throughout Europe. | Increased Mobility: |
| 5-fold increase in Portuguese students in Europe since 2000. | New Target: |
To triple student mobility by 2027. National Highlight: Portugal has recovered 50% of the mobility lost during the pandemic.
Initiatives:
National Plan for Higher Education Accommodation to support students. Focus on Young People:Stimulating mobility from secondary education and vocational training onwards. Diversity of Experiences: Access to cultural exchanges and quality education.
National Agency:
Management of Erasmus Programme opportunities in Portugal. Introduction Portugal celebrates the
35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ Programme, a significant milestone that represents a journey of
exchange and opportunities for students, trainees and teachers. Since its inception, this programme has promoted values of mobility
and European citizenship, allowing thousands of young people to have transformative experiences in different European educational institutions.
The importance of Erasmus in European education The Erasmus+ Programme plays a crucial role in building the European identity, encouraging educational mobility and the creation of collaborative networks between institutions. Through international experiences, participants not only improve their academic skills, but also acquire a valuable intercultural understanding that is essential in an increasingly globalised world.
This exchange enriches the academic environment and promotes dialogue between cultures, essential for strengthening unity and cohesion in Europe. Mobility programmes have the power to broaden horizons and create lasting bonds between students of different nationalities.
Success and growth statistics Over the past 20 years, the influence of Erasmus+ has been notable in Portugal, with a five-fold increase in the number of national students studying in Europe. In 2000, only around two thousand students participated in the programme, while in 2020 this number reached approximately10 thousand students
.
At the same time, the number of international students choosing Portugal as a mobility destination has also grown, rising from two thousand to 15 thousand students in the same period. This trend reflects the growing confidence in the quality of higher education institutions in Portugal, as well as in the educational experience they offer.
Future challenges and goalsWith the new phase of the Erasmus+ 21|27 program, Portugal has set the ambitious goal of tripling student mobility by 2027, aiming to achieve 30 thousand students on mobility per year. To achieve this, it is essential that measures are implemented to support this goal, such as encouraging student accommodation, especially through the National Plan for Accommodation in Higher Education (PNAES).
- Furthermore, the mobility of young people in secondary education and vocational education and training graduates also needs to be intensified. Currently, only a small fraction of these graduates (around 1.2%
- ) participates in exchange programs, which highlights the need for a strategic effort to expand these opportunities. The role of the Erasmus+ National Agency
- Portuguese participation in the Erasmus+ program is coordinated by Erasmus+ National Agency
- Education and Training. Recently, the Agency launched the Erasmus+ EF itinerary
- , a set of specific initiatives aimed at promoting mobility and cultural exchange in Madeira and other regions of Portugal. These initiatives not only aim to increase the visibility of the program, but also offer support in preparing applications and searching for financing, essential to enable mobility opportunities.
- Celebrating the future of Erasmus+ The celebrations of 35 years of the Erasmus+ program are not only a reflection on the success of the past, but also an opportunity to renew commitments and expectations for the future. It is vital that we continue to promote an environment that fosters
- cultural exchange and strengthen academic networks in Europe.
- With the continued support of institutions, government entities and civil society, the program can continue to transform the lives of thousands of students, contributing to the construction of a more inclusive, innovative and interconnected educational space. FAQ about the Celebration of 35 Years of the Erasmus Program in Portugal
- What is the Erasmus+ Programme? The Erasmus+ Programme is a European Union initiative that promotes the mobility of students, teachers and professionals in the areas of education, training, youth and sport.
- When did the Erasmus+ Programme start in Portugal? The celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ Programme began in Portugal on 23 February 2022, during an event in Funchal.
What is the importance of the Erasmus+ Programme for students?
The Erasmus+ Programme is vital for the development of European identity, as it provides exchange experiences that expand students’ academic, professional and personal opportunities. How many Portuguese students have participated in mobility programmes in recent years?Over the past 20 years, the number of Portuguese students participating in mobility programmes has increased by around five times, from approximately 2,000 in 2000 to 10,000 in 2020. What is the Erasmus+ Programme’s target for 2027 in Portugal? Portugal has set a target of tripling the mobility of students from Portuguese institutions by 2027, aiming to reach around 30,000 students on mobility per year. How is accommodation for Erasmus students being promoted in Portugal? Student accommodation is being stimulated through the National Plan for Accommodation in Higher Education, with funding expected for 15,000 beds by 2026. What is expected for the future of the Erasmus+ Programme?The future of the Erasmus+ Programme includes an increase in mobility opportunities for secondary education and vocational training students, promoting skills acquisition and employability.
How has the Erasmus+ Programme had an impact during the pandemic?
Portugal has already recovered around 50% of the student mobility that was lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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