By Agnes Schulze-von Laszewski/NA DAAD
Initial findings on the implementation of these new instruments for the German higher education sector are now available. The first funding cycle of the new programme generation, launched with the 2021 call, ended after 26 months in October 2023. Comprehensive statistics are provided in the latest Erasmus+ Impact Report 2023, published by the NA DAAD.
In the first call of the current funding period, a total of 2,655 students (8.6 percent of the 30,866 funded participants) received top-up grants for participants with fewer opportunities. In the previous cycle, well below 1 percent of participants received this allowance.
This significant increase is attributable to higher top-up amounts, the inclusion of students with chronic illnesses and optionally additional target groups (such as working students and students from non-academic backgrounds) as well as intensive promotion of these opportunities by the NA DAAD. For the Erasmus coordinators, promoting social inclusion requires a thorough analysis of the student demographic and intensive engagement with other strategically important bodies within the university, such as student advocacy groups.
Of a total of 36,830 funded students and university staff, 8.7 percent participated in a blended mobility programme. 76 percent of these mobilities were part of the newly established BIPs (2,436). During the funding period from September 2021 to October 2023, German universities coordinated 174 BIPs. Given the extensive effort involved in coordinating activities with faculty representatives, this was an impressive initial performance.
Of all outgoing Erasmus students from Germany, 11,346 (30.8 percent) have already used sustainable modes of transport. 40.2 percent of these green mobilities (4,560) were to countries not directly bordering Germany. This means that those receiving funding at German universities, in particular, benefit from its central location in Europe. This high figure also underscores the importance of combining sustainability with physical mobility. It is also noteworthy that the proportion of German BIP participants was well above the average at 48.9 percent.
The international expansion of the «Learning Mobility of Individuals» action has already facilitated 1,429 stays abroad in third countries not associated to the Programme, representing 3.9 percent of all mobilities from Germany realised under this action. The most popular destination countries were the United Kingdom (494 mobilities), Switzerland (214) and the US (111). This option was primarily used, at least initially, to mitigate the impacts of Brexit.
From Ukraine, 1,036 incoming mobilities were supported, including 86 for university staff and 950 for students. The most active host universities in Germany were Bielefeld University (136 mobilities), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (62) and Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (61).
The new features of the programme were very well received, and it is clear that they have made an impact. German universities have already made an impressive start in this programme generation with their initial projects, despite the fact that this funding period was overshadowed by Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of altogether 36,830 students and teachers or administrative staff who received funding, 18,902, in other words over 50 percent, benefited from the new measures. There was additional funding for 2,655 participants with fewer opportunities, 11,346 allowances for green travel, 2,436 mobilities as part of Blended Intensive Programmes, 1,429 outgoing mobilities to Partner countries and 1,036 incoming mobilities from Ukraine.
In addition, the new modules have fostered and strengthened exchanges between different university facilities, such as international offices, student advocacy groups and faculties, on such crucial topics as inclusion and diversity, sustainability and the digitalisation of courses. Erasmus has undeniably become an important hub within the institutions, driving both exchange and change.