14.08.2020

After months of lockdown and strict measures imposed by the governments to control the spread of the new coronavirus, the European Union (EU) is now facing difficulties in “getting back on track” when it comes to youth initiatives like the Erasmus+ program and the European Solidarity Corps.

Author: Alexandra Peca

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected our lives more than we thought possible. Apart from the more obvious negative effects in terms of health, economy, and education, the pandemic has a strong impact on the Union’s ongoing or planned activities for youth.

EU’s programs for youth have undoubtedly impacted tens of thousands of young people positively. In a non-formal and intercultural setting, young people, some of them from vulnerable groups (e.g., facing economic and educational difficulties, geographical and social obstacles, lack of jobs, or lack of competences needed for getting a good job) can acquire valuable soft skills and new competences, can experience the importance of diversity and tolerance and can establish long-lasting connections. All these aspects have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which imposed travel restrictions worldwide. Below, I will briefly point out the impact of the pandemic on key stakeholders and conclude with recommendations for the European Commission.

The European Union Reaction to COVID-19

When the whole world stopped and tried to face the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, the European Commission (EC) had to take immediate measures and to collaborate with the Erasmus+ National Agencies and the Education, Audiovisual, and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) to stop any planned mobilities for an undetermined period. The Commission faced several difficulties, as countries closed off their borders one by one. Higher education institutions together with organizations, participants, and students involved in educational projects all wanted answers, so the EU adapted its response to the pandemic as it evolved, clarifying and simplifying the rules and procedures where necessary.

The EC adopted a flexible approach, allowing non-governmental organizations and universities to adapt their activities to the situation generated by the pandemic. The measures adopted by the EC included allowing National Agencies to invoke the force majeure clauses, allowing prolonging activities by up to one year per project, postponing deadlines for ongoing calls for projects, encouraging higher education institutions to provide conditions for remote studying and use of digital tools for students who needed to achieve outcomes listed in their learning agreements.

Students and their educational challenges

At the beginning of this spring, Erasmus students were suddenly facing two options during the pandemic. First, they could return home as soon as possible and finish their courses at their host institution online, having the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Second, they could remain in the country where they were studying, switch to online classes, but be uncertain about returning to their home country.

Those who were to take part in a European mobility project (youth exchanges, training courses, or seminars) and European Solidarity Corps project were either faced with the fact that the projects got postponed or canceled and they had to wait for a long time for their travel expenses to be reimbursed or, in some cases, they saw their flights getting canceled right before they were supposed to return to their home countries.

For sure, there is uncertainty regarding the future of the EU’s initiatives for youth. Countries are experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 cases and Governments are again imposing various restrictions on travel, limiting young people’s movement and the possibility to organize mobility or volunteering projects. Virtual exchanges may be a solution, though temporary. The European Commission must develop a strategy to revitalize exchange and mobility activities because we will most likely witness a drastic drop in the number of students who will study abroad in the upcoming academic year and the number of students benefiting from the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programs in the near future, with broader consequences for the European Union projects for youth.

Departments: Făgăraș Research Club; Society, Crisis, and Resilience Program; Policy Analysis and Outreach Department; COVID-19 and the Future of Education.

Region: Europe

Themes: COVID-19, Health and Health Policy, Education, European Union, Youth