The “Inclusion and Diversity in Erasmus+” Conference took place on 29 September 2026 at VUB U-Residence in Brussels, marking the culmination of the Diversity and Inclusion in Erasmus+ Implementation (DiEM) project. Over two and a half years, the project examined barriers to student mobility and approaches to improving access to Erasmus+ for students from diverse backgrounds. 

Bringing together students, university staff, academics, National Agencies, policymakers and civil society organisations, the conference focused on how student experiences can inform more inclusive institutional practices and future programme design. Participants discussed the findings and outputs of the DiEM project and developed recommendations for the next Erasmus+ programme cycle. 

The morning sessions centred on student experiences and the diversity of needs, examining the barriers students from different backgrounds encounter when accessing and participating in international mobility. A second panel turned to institutional support and inclusive universities, bringing together perspectives from accessibility services, teaching staff, international relations offices and student networks on how institutions can respond more effectively to different support needs. 

In the afternoon, the Inclusion Café and Good Practice Exhibition showcased examples of inclusion initiatives through posters and case studies. Participants then moved from exchange to co-creation in the session “Co-creating an Inclusive Erasmus+ Programme”, discussing inclusion at programme, institutional and individual levels and developing recommendations for the future Erasmus+ programme. 

The conference concluded with student policy pitches and a policy dialogue between participants and policymakers. Across the discussions, a central message emerged: making Erasmus+ more inclusive requires attention not only to access, but also to the support students receive before, during and after mobility, and to how their different needs are reflected in institutional practice and programme design.