Over €400,000 awarded to Leitrim Erasmus+ projects last year

Co. Leitrim received over €400,000 in Erasmus funding in 2025

Midlands North West MEP, Nina Carberry, has welcomed this week's European Parliament vote backing a ‘historic’ expansion of the Erasmus+ programme, with plans to nearly double its budget to €47.4 billion for 2028-2034.

Carberry, Ireland's only MEP on the Parliament's Education, Youth & Sport Committee, helped shape the legislation, tabling amendments to recognise geographical disadvantage, improve access for young people in rural areas and support more apprentices.

The vote comes as recent figures from Léargas show that projects registered in Leitrim received over €400,000 in Erasmus+ funding in 2025.

“The vote is a major step towards opening up what has already been one of the EU's most successful programmes to even more young people and communities,” she stated.

“Erasmus isn’t just about university students traveling abroad, it is for primary and secondary schools, ETBs and sports clubs up and down the country,” she added.

The MEP went on to say that there will be many opportunities available due to an imminent increase in funding.

“With a massive increase in funding due to kick in from 2028, I want to encourage as many education institutions and communities as possible to get ready to take advantage of these new opportunities.

“From developing new language skills to providing training opportunities and work placements abroad in fields ranging from hospitality to engineering, this programme is opening up new career pathways and exciting opportunities,” she stated.

The Parliament's position will now move to negotiations with EU governments before the next Erasmus+ budget is finalised.