It is envisaged that, as with other participating countries, the annual allocation will increase each year up to 2020, they said.

Erasmus+, the EU’s new funding programme for education, training, youth and sport, will provide grants for more than four million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience or volunteer abroad over the next seven years, having a total budget of €14.7 billion – 40% more than previously.

Attalides told the House Committee on Foreign and European Affairs that between January 1 and March 24, 180 young Cypriots applied for participation in the programme.

According to a note submitted to the Committee by the Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus it is estimated that 15,000 individuals (50% more) could benefit from Erasmus+ over the seven years.

Between 2007 and 2013, around 10,000 Cypriot students, young people and education, training and youth staff took part in the EU’s Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action programmes.

Markopouliotis noted that Cyprus can also benefit further from grants for transnational sports projects and the Jean Monnet action for European integration studies in higher education.

Youth unemployment in Cyprus has soared to more than 40%.

Source: Famagusta Gazette