(1)

The need to strengthen and extend the Erasmus+ Programme was expressed by the European Council on several occasions. Furthermore, in the consultations on the mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus+ Programme (2014-2020) established by Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), and on the programme which would replace that programme (4), the need for continuity in the Erasmus+ Programme’s scope, architecture and delivery mechanisms was established. At the same time a need for a number of improvements was identified, such as making the Erasmus+ Programme more inclusive, simpler and more manageable for beneficiaries.

(2)

Both the Erasmus+ Regulation and the Solidarity Corps Regulation foresee that the Commission shall develop a framework of inclusion measures for people with fewer opportunities (5). Taking into consideration the similarities of the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps Programmes as regards some of the target groups addressed (people with fewer opportunities in the Erasmus+ Programme and young people with fewer opportunities in the European Solidarity Corps Programme), the shared nature of the implementing structures of the two Programmes, and the similarities in the funding structure, a joint framework of inclusion measures should be established.

(3)

The framework of inclusion measures should take into account areas of intervention for global challenges as set out in Annex III, point 4, of Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), as well as the European Union Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024. Organisations such as the entities receiving grants under the Programmes have a key role in making inclusion a reality, particularly in terms of organisational development, acquiring and building more capacity in handling inclusion projects and accessibility requirements, promoting inclusion across the organisation, and outreach and support to participants before, during and after the project.

(4)

In some cases, people with fewer opportunities are less likely to participate in the Programmes for financial reasons, whether because of their economic situation or because of the higher participation costs that their specific situation generates, as is often the case for people with disabilities. In such cases, their participation could be facilitated with targeted financial support.

(5)

Lack of awareness about the availability of dedicated measures for people with fewer opportunities can result in less participation of these target groups. Greater effort is needed to raise awareness and increase their levels of information and awareness about the opportunities in place and how to access them.

(6)

Organisations are invited to address inclusion and diversity in line with their needs and those of their community. Staff dealing specifically with issues of inclusion and diversity and with participants with fewer opportunities in their organisations can benefit from working together with peers from other organisations to support people with fewer opportunities. Different forms of support, such as training sessions, peer learning experiences and job shadowing opportunities, can be arranged with a view to helping to increase their capacity in this respect.

(7)

A strong supportive approach to participants with fewer opportunities is key to help removing the obstacles to their full participation in the Programmes.

(8)

Inclusion and diversity are part of the criteria to select applications for funding and to allocate financial support. Quality projects that actively address inclusion and diversity and that involve participants with fewer opportunities may be given priority in the grant awarding process.

(9)

People with fewer opportunities should be reached out to in their respective personal environments by tailoring the approach to their specific information and accessibility needs. An important success factor for providing information to under-represented groups is the cooperation with stakeholders working with these target groups and the involvement of users at local and regional level.

(10)

Dedicated monitoring activities, using a set of specific indicators, should provide qualitative and quantitative data to gradually support an even more strategic and targeted use of the available budget under the Programmes.

(11)

Inclusion measures may already be in place in the national context. Complementarity and synergies with the measures put in place by this framework may contribute to achieving a greater impact in reaching out to and supporting participants with fewer opportunities.

(12)

This Decision and the ensuing inclusion action plans should respect the fundamental rights and observe the principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. (7) They should also ensure full respect for the right to non-discrimination and to promote the application of Article 21 of the Charter.

(13)

The actors involved in the process of making the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps Programmes more inclusive and diverse are heterogeneous and contribute to the development of ideas and new or improved mechanisms, as well as act as key multipliers of the inclusion and diversity efforts,