The European Union has published “A New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean” (LAC) outlining a strengthened cooperation between the two blocks in several areas:

1. Renewed political partnership
2. Strengthening a common EU-LAC trade agenda
3. Global Gateway and supporting partnerships for a fair green and digital transition
4. Joining forces for justice, citizen security and the fight against transnational organised crime
5. Working together to promote peace and security, democracy, rule of law, human rights and humanitarian aid
6. Building a vibrant EU-LAC people-to-people partnership

One of the proposed key actions under the heading “Global Gateway and supporting partnerships for a fair green and digital transition” - also included in the Global Gateway initiative - is boosting Erasmus+ for EU-LAC academic cooperation in higher education and vocational training and SOCIEUX+ on social protection, labour rights and employment.

Similarly, under the heading “Building a vibrant EU-LAC people-to-people partnership”, the document is outlining how the EU and LAC have a common stake in developing the human capital needed to match the demands of rapidly changing technologies, and the fair, green and digital transition. Furthermore, Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, and in particular the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, are expected to provide a framework for cooperation to step up research and innovation, as does the Research Mobility Pillar under the EU-CELAC 2021–2023 Strategic Roadmap, including researchers and students mobility.

One of the proposed key actions is intensifying collaboration on education and research under Erasmus+, including Jean Monnet Actions, Horizon Europe, including ‘Marie Skłodowska-Curie’ Actions, as well as the European Institute of Innovation Technology.

Concerning international cooperation in higher education, it can be expected to see increased attention and available funding in the LAC region, which is very attractive for cooperation with higher education institutions from several European Countries.