The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of the National Agency for Erasmus+.
In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would join the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Ruth Cocks, Director, British Council Wales, said:
“We are thrilled to be selected as the National Agency for Erasmus+. This is a hugely exciting moment, opening up a wealth of opportunities for Wales. The British Council looks forward to working closely with the Department for Education, Welsh Government and the European Commission to ensure we maximise the programme’s impact across our nation.
“Erasmus+ has a powerful track record of transforming lives, opening doors to new learning experiences, deepening cultural understanding, and fostering a strong sense of global citizenship, from higher education students and staff to participants in schools, technical and vocational education and training, non-formal education, and sport.
“In Wales, the Erasmus+ programme offers a far-reaching boost – empowering people from all backgrounds to build skills, confidence and international connections that will be essential for Wales’ future.”
The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014–20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK’s cultural relations activities.
In Wales, Erasmus+ funding totalled approximately €67.5 million between 2014 and 2020, supporting activity across multiple sectors including higher education (€26.0 million), schools (€22.9 million), vocational education and training (€14.0 million), youth (€3.35 million) and adult education (€1.25 million).
