The National Youth Agency (NYA) has welcomed the agreement from the UK government to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, the international programme for education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
The NYA has advocated tirelessly for young people to have access to Erasmus+ through its seat around the Domestic Advisory Group – the official consultative group for UK/EU negotiations, with UK Young Ambassador for the British Youth Council, Maurizio Cuttin, leading the charge.
As a youth mobility scheme, Erasmus+ provides life–changing opportunities for young people through its university and youth work exchange programmes. It opens doors for international exchanges with other youth clubs, provides educational opportunities to learn about other cultures and offers youth work exchanges.
Leigh Middleton OBE
NYA Chief Executive Officer
Leigh Middleton, OBE, CEO, National Youth Agency, says: “One of the unintended consequences of Brexit was the loss of Erasmus+ which deprived young people in the UK of a wide range of opportunities abroad, particularly the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
“Young people don’t see borders and are incredibly connected with the world around them through digital platforms. Giving them the opportunity to engage with their peers in other countries and to influence policies on issues which are important to them is incredibly valuable in helping to boost their skills, confidence and career prospects. Through Erasmus+ they can forge relationships with others who have been empowered by youth work and the experience is often life changing.”
Maurizio Cuttin, the British Youth Council’s elected UK Young Ambassador to the European Youth Forum, said: “The announcement of the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme is good for young people across the country. At last, the government has green-lit negotiating a youth mobility deal with our European neighbours and has embraced re-entering the Erasmus+ youth exchange scheme. Far from a ‘surrender’, the EU-UK Summit marks a positive leap forward in recognising that young people are the future of the bilateral relationship and deserve more recognition, as the group hit hardest by Brexit”.
