University of Porto promotes initiative to promote inclusion in the Erasmus program
IN SUMMARY
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THE University of Porto is at the forefront of an innovative initiative that aims to promote inclusion in the Erasmus program, addressing the difficulties faced by students from different socioeconomic contexts. With the project Erasmus For All, the university seeks to build a system of mobility grants more accessible, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to enrich their academic training and life experience through a international mobility significant.
THE University of Porto leads a new initiative that aims to increase inclusion in the program Erasmus. Entitled “Erasmus For All”, this project seeks to reformulate the bags offered to students to ensure that everyone, especially those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have access to international mobility opportunities. Since 1987, Erasmus has provided transformative experiences, but there are still barriers that limit access for many students.
Objectives of Erasmus For All
The “Erasmus For All” project was designed with the aim of combat low levels of participation in the Erasmus+ program. The idea is reduce existing asymmetries in access to mobility grants between different countries and European citizens. The proposal under development aims to establish a more inclusive financing model, allowing any higher education student to carry out part of their studies abroad within the 33 countries participating in the program.
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Methodology and Consortium
To formulate a new method for calculating scholarships, the “Erasmus For All” consortium brought together five universities, European Students’ Union, the French Universities and the European University Foundation. Together with a group of experts from different scientific areas, ways of respond more effectively to the financial needs of mobility students. The viability of the new scholarship calculation formula was successfully tested with a group of real participants of the Erasmus+ program.
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Publications and Recommendations
The research carried out resulted in the creation of several publications which contain recommendations for a redesign of the scholarship calculation methodology, to be implemented in Erasmus editions between 2028 and 2034. The E4A manifesto highlights that “financial obstacles and the lack of adequate scholarship coverage” are barriers that prevent many students from accessing mobility opportunities that can transform your lives.
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Institutional Support and International Repercussion
The Vice-Rector of the U.Porto, Maria Joana de Carvalho, emphasizes the importance of the new approach, stating that “developing a new method for calculating Erasmus grants is doing justice to all European students”. This project has gained international prominence, with the support of public figures and being highlighted in several higher education events.
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Final Conference and Future of the Program
The final E4A proposal was presented at a conference that took place in Brussels, bringing together representatives from different stakeholders, including the European Commission. The event’s motto, “The future of Erasmus is for everyone!”, reflects the commitment to making international experiences accessible to all European students.
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Continue the Fight for Inclusion
In addition to the initiatives already mentioned, “Erasmus For All” launched the campaign Erasmus Overshoot Day, which symbolizes the day when the financial resources of the exchanges are exhausted, raising awareness of the need for reform. The project continues to work with leaders in Brussels and other policymakers to ensure that inclusion and equity are priorities in the Erasmus of the future.
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Comparison of Inclusion Initiatives in the Erasmus Program
| Initiative | Description |
| Erasmus For All | Project coordinated by the University of Porto to increase student participation, especially from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. |
| New Scholarship Calculation Formula | Proposal for a scholarship calculation that reflects the costs of local living, promoting equity among students. |
| Inclusive Approach | It argues that scholarships should be accessible to all students, allowing them to complete part of their studies abroad. |
| Feasibility Tests | Developed formula successfully tested on real samples from Erasmus+ program participants. |
| International Involvement | Participation of various partners, including universities and European institutions, to reinforce the proposal. |
| Erasmus Overshoot Day | Awareness campaign that marks the day on which scholarship resources are exhausted, drawing attention to the need for adequate funding. |
| Conferences and Events | It stands out at international conferences to promote new proposals and explore solutions for academic mobility. |
THE University of Porto has led an innovative project called Erasmus for All, which aims to promote inclusion and increase accessibility of the Erasmus program for students from diverse backgrounds. Since its creation in 2021, this initiative has aimed to combat inequalities in access to academic mobility opportunities in Europe, ensuring that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can benefit from enriching international experiences.
Erasmus for All objectives
The Erasmus for All program aims to reformulate the way Erasmus scholarships are calculated, making them more inclusive and adapted to the realities and financial needs of students. The project seeks to create a new scheme that allows any higher education student to study outside their country in any of the 33 countries in the program, starting in 2028.
A Collective Effort
This effort is the result of collaboration between the University of Porto, five other universities and different organizations, such as European Students’ Union and the European University Foundation. Bringing together experts from different areas, the consortium has worked on developing a model that responds more effectively to students’ financial needs.
Promising Results
The results of this work were encouraging, with the new calculation proposal being successfully tested on samples of Erasmus+ program participants. More than 20 publications based on the project’s findings have been released, presenting recommendations for a reformulation of the grant calculation method in the next Erasmus cycle 2028-2034.
Talking about Inclusion
The Vice-Rector of the U.Porto, Maria Joana de Carvalho, emphasized the importance of developing a more inclusive approach to Erasmus, stating that scholarships must reflect the actual costs of destination cities and not just national averages. This is essential to ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to participate in academic mobilities.
Impact of the Program on the Academic Community
The University of Porto, recently voted the best European destination for Erasmus students, is excited about the possibility of making international experiences accessible for everyone. This commitment to inclusion, in addition to enriching students’ training, also contributes to strengthening the European academic community.
Future of Erasmus
With a clear emphasis on influencing actions with political decision-makers in Brussels, Erasmus for All promises to continue its trajectory towards a more inclusive program. Initiatives like the Erasmus Overshoot Day, a symbolic campaign to raise awareness about the depletion of scholarship resources, are among the efforts aimed at boosting discussion about the sustainability and accessibility of the program.
The Erasmus+ program continues to be a vital tool for students’ personal and professional development, promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education across Europe. For more information about how to participate and program requirements, you can consult resources provided by organizations such as Erasmus Center.
University of Porto Initiatives for Inclusion in the Erasmus Program
- Development of new methodologies – Creation of proposals to redefine the calculation of Erasmus scholarships.
- Promoting accessibility – Focus on making international experiences available to all students, especially those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Collaborative research – Creation of a consortium with multiple universities and organizations to develop a financing model.
- Conferences and events – Participation in international events to discuss and promote inclusion in higher education.
- Collaboration with European policies – Influence the development of policies and decisions at European Union level involving academic mobility.
- Awareness campaigns – Launch of initiatives such as Erasmus Overshoot Day to highlight financial issues faced by students.
- Leader engagement – Involvement of relevant public figures to increase visibility and support for the inclusion mission.
The University of Porto, through the project Erasmus For All, is leading an important initiative that aims to promote inclusion in the Erasmus program. Since 1987, Erasmus+ has benefited millions of students, but many still face financial and socio-economic barriers. This proposal seeks to rethink the calculation of Erasmus scholarships to ensure that more students can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the program, especially those from less favored means.
Objective of Erasmus For All
The project Erasmus For All was launched with the aim of increasing participation levels in the Erasmus+ program, addressing inequality in access to mobility grants. The focus is on creating a more inclusive scholarships, where all higher education students have the opportunity to study in one of the 33 participating countries from 2028. The proposal aims to color discrepancies in terms of access and opportunities.
Development of a new methodology
To achieve a new scholarship evaluation formula, the University of Porto joined a consortium that includes five universities, the European Students’ Union, and the European University Foundation. Together, these working groups collaborated with experts from diverse fields to develop a financing model that best meets the financial needs of students who wish to participate in the program. This multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure that the new methodology considers a variety of aspects relevant to the student experience.
Tests and recommendations
The proposed methodology was successfully tested on samples of real Erasmus+ students. The result of this study was translated into a set of publications with recommendations for the reformulation of the calculation of scholarships, which will be implemented in the next Erasmus program for the period from 2028 to 2034. These recommendations aim to ensure that the calculation of scholarships reflects the real costs in the host cities, allowing students to have a more balanced mobility experience.
Impact of the proposal
Financial barriers have been a limiting factor for many students who wish to participate in the Erasmus program and have exchange experiences that can transform their lives. The Erasmus For All manifesto emphasizes the need for a inclusive approach, where grants are calculated according to local realities, rather than just national averages. The objective is for all students to have real conditions to participate and enrich their academic training and life experience.
Collaboration with relevant entities
The Vice-Rector of the University of Porto, Maria Joana de Carvalho, reinforced that the development of a new method for calculating scholarships is a matter of justice for all European students seeking to undertake academic mobility. The initiative has been supported by representatives of relevant institutions and partnerships that promote higher education at European level.
Future actions and campaigns
The project continues to gain international visibility, being presented at significant events in the education sector. Furthermore, it implemented campaigns such as Erasmus Overshoot Day, which serves to raise awareness of the need to expand the resources available to students. Future contacts with policy makers and other interested parties are part of the strategy to promote greater inclusion on Erasmus+. Continued collaboration with these entities will be crucial to the effective implementation of the proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions about the University of Porto Initiative in the Erasmus Program
A: The Erasmus For All project is an initiative coordinated by the University of Porto that seeks to promote inclusion in the Erasmus program, making international experiences more accessible for all students.
A: The main objective of the E4A project is to combat low levels of student participation, especially those from more disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, in the Erasmus+ program through a new method of calculating scholarships.
A: The project aims to achieve greater inclusion by developing a scholarship scheme that reflects the costs of living in destination cities, rather than just national averages.
A: The project involves a consortium of five universities, the European Students’ Union, France Universités and the European University Foundation.
A: At the E4A final conference, the final proposal for a new scholarship calculation model was presented, which aims to ensure more equitable participation in the Erasmus program among students from different countries.
A: Expected benefits include broader student participation, reduced inequalities in access to mobility experiences and strengthened the European academic community.
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