Open Doors, Open Futures
The Government is negotiating a Youth Experience Scheme with the EU, and we must make sure that it delivers for young people in the UK, and restores the rights that our peers on the continent have access to. WRITE TO YOUR MP TODAY
When the UK left the European Union, we didn’t just lose access to the single market, the customs union and the free trade agreement, we also lost valuable opportunities for young people in the UK. We lost Youth Mobility, which allowed young people from the UK to freely live, work and study in Europe, and for young European people to do the same in the UK. We lost Erasmus+, which provided funding and opportunities for our young people to access education and training abroad and at home. Post-Brexit, the UK has closed doors and dismantled the future we once had. But there is hope on the horizon, the UK government has agreed in principle to rejoining Erasmus+ and to establish a Youth Experience Scheme for British and European youth. We must now keep up the pressure to fight for the same rights other young people in Europe have, and restore the opportunities we once had. Let’s make the right decision, let’s open doors, and open futures.
What are the benefits of a Youth Experience Scheme?
- Economic impact: Analysis by the Centre for European Reform suggests that introducing the new UK–EU Youth Experience Scheme could increase UK GDP by between 0.4% and 0.45% over the next decade
- Tackling inequality: The scheme can offer disadvantaged young people opportunities to access international experiences and work, such as in the travel industry, or growing trades sectors in the EU.
- Promoting innovation and creativity: Britain, with the best universities in Europe, stands to uniquely benefit from a scheme which will concentrate intellectual talent in our top institutions, similar to California’s success in the USA.
- Democratic engagement and active citizenship: The scheme will promote a stronger sense of cultural awareness, European identity and engagement in international democratic processes.
What is necessary for the success of the Scheme?
- Four year stays: European employers and educational institutions are far less likely to offer opportunities to young Brits if they are only able to stay for two years. Under a four year stay, Brits will be offered serious professional opportunities that will allow them to develop their careers.
- Full Mobility within the EU: Similarly, young Brits must able to move within the EU rather than single EU member states on a bilateral basis, to ensure they are able to fully engage with the interlinked professional and academic networks within the EU
- An uncapped, reciprocal number of places: The more the scheme sees use, the more successful it will be. To ensure use of the scheme is fair, whilst promoting the highest possible numbers of UK youth travelling abroad, we propose a ‘one in one out’ scheme, without an arbitrary cap.
- Lowered visa costs to ensure equity of access – The Immigration Health Surcharge makes up the majority of visa costs. With a one in one out scheme, immigration to the UK and EU will be neutral, meaning neither party has a greater strain on it’s healthcare system. This should be reflected in a lowered Surcharge, and thus lower costs to apply for the Visa, making the opportunity of work and study in Europe available to economically disadvantaged youth in the UK.
What are the benefits of Erasmus+?
- Inclusive experience: 16% of Erasmus+ participants came from backgrounds with fewer opportunities, such as those with special needs and disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Skilled staff: The UK received 4964 incoming staff members as a part of the Erasmus+ program in 2017/18, allowing for their skills to be shared with our participants.
- Economic benefits: The UK made a net gain of £234 million per year from its participation in Erasmus+ thanks to an increase in spend for the higher education, services, and hospitality sectors.
- Active participation: In 2020, 55 681 people from the UK participated in Erasmus+. This active participation shows the demand present in the UK for Erasmus+.
- Diverse participation: While 39% of participants were from higher education in 2023, 19% were from vocational education and training, and 25% were from schools.
- Funding and grants: The UK received €114.25 million in grants towards Erasmus+ in 2020, which provided access to educational and cultural experiences for a wide range of participants.
- Free Transport: 35 000 young Europeans benefitted from a free rail pass in 2023 as a part of Erasmus’ DiscoverEU Travel Pass.
The UK Government must rejoin Erasmus+ and agree on a comprehensive Youth Experience Scheme with Europe alongside allowing 4 years abroad for the Youth Experience Scheme.
A vast amount of those affected by these lost opportunities never had a say in the matter, as they were too young to vote in the Brexit referendum. Let’s make the right decision for them, let’s open doors, and open futures.
How can you support our campaign?
- Write to your MP using our campaign tool, to demand their support for a meaningful Youth Opportunity Scheme and the UK rejoining ERASMUS+ as a full member.
- Sign the European Movement’s petition to bring back ERASMUS+.
- Join YEM as a member, or (if you are aged over-35) become a Friend of YEM and make a donation to support our campaign.