Two regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council were published on 28 April 2021 and 20 May 2021, respectively, marking the final adoption of the Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programmes (“Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013” and “Regulation (EU) 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013”).

The publication of the two regulations in the Official Journal in all official languages of the EU closes the long-lasting procedure of formal adoption and opens the door to the launch of official negotiations with the partner countries regarding their association to the EU programmes for research and education.

In parallel, the Commission adopted on 26 May 2021 the work programme for the first year of the Creative Europe 2021-2027 programme. This programme, which is more relevant for universities of music and arts across Europe, will among others support the mobility scheme for artists and culture professionals along with other actions to enhance the development of the cultural and creative sectors in Europe and beyond. The formal adoption of the legal basis of the programme and the publication of the first calls for proposals is expected in June.