With the release of the resolution, 2 February 2017, on the implementation of Erasmus+ the European Parliament communicates coming priorities for the successful advancement of the Union’s programme for education, training, youth and sport. Pointing out successes as well as ongoing challenges, the European Parliament emphasises a need for budget increases, simplifications in the programme as well as improved focus on strategic partnerships.

 Key points in the resolution that ought to drive continued success of Erasmus+ include:

• Specific features of different sectors must be taken into account, and the visibility of different programmes areas enhanced. The overall visibility of the programme has increased in comparison to predecessors.
• User-friendly and more flexible implementation lags behind
• Bureaucratic obstacles across the project cycle need to be removed, achieving a wider and more accessible programme. Caution needs to be paid to adverse effects when simplifying based on a one-size-fits-all approach.
• The Commission is specifically stipulated to begin tracking and analysing quality of projects (backed by data), and increase transparency of results.
• Preparation of candidates prior to embarking on an international experience is emphasised, in conjunction with establishing clear learning outcomes and specific job descriptions for work experiences abroad.
• Shifting to stimulate soft skills, focusing on transversal, transferable and entrepreneurial skills sets.
• Analysis of underfunded key actions and sectors, as strategic partnerships (KA2) is needed 
• The rejection of many high-quality projects, low success rates, paired with dissatisfaction among applicants, is seen to link to a limited increase of funds for the first half of the programme period, despite a significant overall budget increase.

With the new year coming into full swing, the Parliament welcomes increased funding for Erasmus+ 2017 by almost EUR 300 million compared to the forgone year. Underlined is the need to utilize proliferated funds to take on weak parts of the programme, particularly boosting the number of successful quality projects. The budgetary increase of about 12% along further annual increases is expected to yield higher success and satisfaction rates in applicants.  With 48 % of national agencies (NAs) reporting that programme actions are under-budgeted, and demand in under-resourced sectors clearly exceeding committed funds, the European parliament calls for the necessity of even bigger budgetary efforts.

European Parliament - resolution on implementation of Erasmus+ (full document)