Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs welcomes Erasmus+ (2014-2020) bringing over 16 million Euro to support youth work in Ireland over the next 7 years.

Minister Charlie Flanagan T.D. welcomed the launch, by the Minister for
Education and Skills, Ruairi, Quinn T.D. of the Erasmus+ 2014 – 2020- the
EU’s support programme for life long learning, training and sport.

Minister Flanagan stated “I am happy to be in the position to welcome this
extensive and valuable new Erasmus+ programme, 10% of which is ring-fenced
for activity in the youth field. The youth programme will provide over
€16million to Ireland over the next seven years and this year alone Ireland
will benefit from €2.89 million’.

Minister Flanagan gave his strong support for the Programme’s youth
priorities which include the promotion of young people’s social inclusion
and well-being (notably through projects tackling youth unemployment) and
the promotion of healthy behaviours (particularly through outdoor
activities and grassroots sport). The programme also aims to raise
awareness about EU citizenship, rights, active participation of young
people and to develop basic and transversal skills e.g. entrepreneurship,
digital skills and multilingualism.

The Minister urged youth organisations throughout the country to bring
forward proposals under the programme so that as many young people as
possibility can avail of transnational exchanges and opportunities to
enhance their skills, competencies and employability.

The youth chapter of the Erasmus+ programme is administered in Ireland by
Leargas on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The full
details of the programme and how to apply are available at
http://www.leargas.ie/.