The Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament has adopted the implementation report on the “Inclusion measures within Erasmus+ programme 2014-2020”. Based on consultations with stakeholders and national agencies (NAs), the report elaborated on the implementation of the inclusion measures in the previous Erasmus+ programme. In line with the gathered feedback, the committee recognised "with satisfaction the overall positive evolution of inclusion measures during the Erasmus+ 2014-2020 programming period” and called for the crucial need to adapt the funding and IT tools, which hamper individuals and organisations from participating in the programme. The report also recognised the importance of the Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities (SALTO) centres. With the report re-confirming existing barriers, which are being tackled in the current Erasmus+ programme, the lack of reliable data remains a challenge throughout the sector, mainly because of different legal frameworks on obtaining personal data in the member states. This continues to be on ongoing challenge for many NAs.

The committee supports the Commission’s recent adoption of the 2021-2027 framework of measures aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion in the current Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes, but nevertheless calls on the Commission to closely monitor the future national implementation of this framework.

Another important development in the CULT committee is the recent resolution adopted on 19 May by MEPs aiming to make sure that the proposed Council recommendations on micro-credentials, individual learning accounts and environmental sustainability studies are followed up by actual measures and legislative efforts to introduce new solutions. The MEPs are asking the Commission and member states to specify plans for implementing micro-credentials, individual learning accounts and environmental sustainability curricula, which should eventually lead to creating an EU-wide lifelong learning system.

More information on the inclusion measures in the Erasmus+ programme is available here, and on micro-credentials, individual learning accounts and environmental sustainability curricula here.