EU reforms and education from a young age can help reduce the gap between the EU and the citizen, but only the chance to experience Europe can really make European citizens.

The EU lifelong learning programme, ERASMUS+, is the most important source of opportunity to spend time learning in another country even though its reach remains limited.

Free movement of persons is not confined to workers. For 30 years, the EU has funded the Erasmus Programme which has permitted over 3,3 million students to spend part of their studies at another educational institution or with an organisation in Europe.

Erasmus+ is the new programme combining all the EU’s current schemes for education, training, and youth and sport, which was introduced in January 2014. Read the Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2016. Find out more about the opportunities available through the programme for both individuals and organisations.

To apply to these programmes the best starting point is the agency nearest you, which you can find via the Erasmus + website.

Other tools and programmes are available, in particular to support young job seekers to exercise their rights to free movement and find work in more prosperous regions:

• EURES – to find your first job
• Drop’Pin @ EURES
• Europass – to help citizens communicate their skills and qualifications
  – How to create your Curriculum Vitae (and cover letter)
  – How to create your Language Passport
  – Euroguidance – European portal to provide information on education and training opportunities in Europe