In response to COVID-19, the EC commits to maximum flexibility in the implementation of programmes for mobile learners and transnational projects.
The European Commission (EC) issued guidance to Erasmus+ National Agencies, making them aware of measures that are available in the view of supporting beneficiaries on 13 March. The EC underlines that National Agencies can authorise the application of ‘force majeure’ and hence accept additional costs, extend project durations as well as additional measures such as the transfer of funds within budget envelopes. The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) will follow this guidance for schemes they implemented at central level, see also an EACEA message from the 25 March. On 23 March, the EACEA has also issued a specific note on consequences for Erasmus Mundus Projects, calling upon all consortia to be as flexible and pragmatic as possible and allowing delays with the submission of documents. An EC factsheet from 25 March gives practical advice to participants in light of the COVID-19, and an EC Q&A collection addresses many concerns about Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EC and EACEA regularly update their information. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) projects and related activities will also be treated with flexibility.
For mobility and projects implemented under the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+, Movetia will also apply the principle of ‘force majeure’ and allow reimbursements of COVID-19 related extraordinary costs (up to the maximum amount of the financial support already approved).
Due to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, deadlines for several Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) applications were extended: the new deadlines for Strategic Partnerships, for example, are on 23 April (School, VET, Higher Education) and 7 May (Youth).
DiscoverEU applications (not open to Switzerland) were postponed until further notice. Under DiscoverEU, 18-year-olds can apply for rail passes to travel across Europe.
Several stakeholders have raised their voice. On 16 March, the European Students Union (ESU) underlined in a statement its commitment to support affected students. ESU welcomed measures taken by the EC and coordinated action taken by EU education ministers (see SwissCore article). It also calls for making online education accessible to mobile students on the same bases as for regular students, and underlines that interruption of study mobility will result in major issues connected with the potential lack of recognition of the partial study periods abroad, as well as with the transferral of ECTS credits. The Culture and Education Committee (CULT) Chair called on the EU and its member states in a statement on 17 March to help education and creative sectors to mitigate the effects of containing COVID-19.
On March 19th, the Erasmus Student Network launched a survey (deadline: 30 March) to assess the impact of COVID-19 on student mobilities, with the aim to better understand the difficulties and challenges students have been facing since the outbreak of the virus and ultimately identify actions to better support international students.