How will covid-19 affect mobility programmes?
2020
How will covid-19 affect mobility programmes?
A vast majority of young people taking part in EUmobility programmes (i.e. Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps) at the start of 2020 have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Europe has swiftly become the coronavirus pandemic epicentre, resulting in rapid unexpected mobility changes. Participants' mobilities have been shortened, cancelled or postponed due to universities and organisations across the continent shutting down and shifting to online learning platforms. This has affected the international student community and other programme participants, causing confusion and displacement as to what is the next phase upon returning to their home country.
The European Commission is in close contact with the National Agencies responsible for the management of individual Erasmus and ESC mobilities. As each particular case is different, and the level of impact differs, the EC provides NAs with support to address the different issues and scenarios taking place on the ground. The EC aims for a flexible framework within the marge de manoeuvre for both NAs and hosting organisations. In addition, due to the consequences of the unprecedented circumstances, the EC has allowed the invokement of the “force majeure” clause. This enables those affected the possibility to receive additional costs up to a maximum grant amount via their respective agencies. Programme flexibility has also been issued, meaning planned activities may be independently postponed.
The EC recommends to use the “force majeure” clause to address any situation of programme participants on the ground, to prevent as much as possible the negative impact on the programme participants themselves. Regarding higher education mobility, the EC encourages higher education institutions to provide online courses for both students in host and home countries and to recognise the ECTS earned through these online courses in order to prevent any disruption in the students' curricula. The implications of triggering “force majeure” goes beyond recognition, it also touches upon grants. Hosting and sending organisations and NAs should work together and give as much flexibility as possible to prevent young people and other programme participants from ending up in difficult situations.
An exceptional alternative has been given to those affected during these times. It will be considered eligible for affected students and volunteers, if determined by their host university/organisation to complete their respective programmes remotely, provided they contribute to achieving the learning outcomes/assignments.
Affected mobility participants for both Erasmus and European Solidarity Corps programmes can find information on the following ERASMUS+ practical advice guide. The guide contains essential information concerning who to contact and what to do during this period of uncertainty.
This is highly relevant to maintain information about where participants can access information about the situation on a national level. Youth information services have a key role to play in this respect. ERYICA highly encourages youth information services to contact your NA to see how you can support the information flow.
Concurrently, the Erasmus Student Network, ESN, has posted an online survey for current mobility participants affected by the pandemic. The survey’s purpose as stated in their website is to understand the impact of the situation on present and future mobility programmes. This enables ESN to represent those affected to the European Commission and national stakeholders assessing problem solutions. This initiative encouraged those affected to share their particular situation, and to understand the severity of each individual's circumstance. Please support the dissemination of this survey among affected young people you may be supporting..
You can find the survey here.
Check Q&A concerning Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/coronavirus-impact_fr
