YouthLink Scotland’s statement welcomes the UK Government’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme. This is an important step towards restoring international learning and exchange opportunities for young people and youth workers across Scotland.
YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work in Scotland, welcomes the UK Government’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme. This is an important step towards restoring international learning and exchange opportunities for young people and youth workers across Scotland.
YouthLink Scotland has consistently called for the UK’s return to Erasmus+, leading the #KeepErasmusPlus campaign and working with partners across Scotland, the UK and Europe to highlight the importance of the programme for youth work. Over a number of years, we repeatedly raised the issue with the UK Government, alongside our engagement with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. Our campaigning in Scotland contributed to a vote in the Scottish Parliament in which all parties unanimously backed retaining membership of the Erasmus+ programme.
Erasmus+ is not solely a higher education mobility scheme; it includes a dedicated youth strand that supports non-formal learning, youth exchange, participation projects and professional development for youth workers. The “Plus” in Erasmus+ is fundamental to its value for the youth work sector.
Following the UK’s withdrawal from Erasmus+, YouthLink Scotland raised concerns — including through evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee and the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee — that replacement schemes such as the Turing Scheme and the Scottish Educational Exchange Programme although welcome, did not replace Erasmus+ and did fully not meet the needs of youth work. These schemes have focused mainly on formal education and individual mobility, offering limited scope for reciprocal exchange, long- term partnerships or inclusive youth work approaches.
Erasmus+ has played a significant role in supporting youth work in Scotland, enabling young people — particularly those who may not otherwise have access — to build confidence, skills and wider horizons. For youth workers, it has supported high-quality practice through international training and shared learning, strengthening local provision.
Rejoining Erasmus+ recognises the value of international youth work as a practical and inclusive investment in young people and communities. YouthLink Scotland looks forward to working with the UK Government, Scottish Government, delivery partners and the youth work sector to ensure the youth strand is clearly recognised and supported, and that organisations of all sizes can participate fully.
Commenting on the announcement, Tim Frew, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, said:
“For young people across the UK, the opportunity to learn, grow and build friendships through Erasmus+ is invaluable. In supporting youth work, Erasmus+ will open doors for young people living with the daily challenges of poverty, offering opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Rejoining the programme means those life-changing chances can once again be part of young people’s futures, rather than the exception. We have seen young people who never imagined university or further study as an option gain confidence, ambition and belief through these experiences and go on to do exactly that.”
YouthLink Scotland will now engage with the UK Government to clarify the detail and timetable for rejoining Erasmus+, and to understand the pathway back into the programme. We will work closely with partners to ensure the youth work sector in Scotland is well supported, informed and ready to access opportunities as they become available, and to offer practical guidance and support to organisations as participation is re-established. This will include making sure that the benefits and opportunities of the youth strand are clearly promoted and understood across the sector.