EU youth and social program participation

European Union social and educational programs, including Erasmus+ and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), have reached significant participation milestones. In mid-2026, the European Commission reported that over 36 million people—approximately 8% of the EU population—participated in these funded projects during 2025 and early 2026.

Erasmus+ specifically supported over 1.7 million students, teachers, and athletes in 2025, with nearly 22 billion euros of its 27 billion euro fund committed. Meanwhile, the ESF+ is projected to implement over 100 billion euros by the end of 2026, with 65% of contributions directed toward less developed regions.

On a local and transnational level, these initiatives are being applied through specific workshops and collaborative projects. In Italy, workshops have been organized to provide tools for implementing Erasmus+ Youth and Sport and European Solidarity Corps projects. Additionally, international collaborations like the Viva Vita Youth project are utilizing these frameworks to address socioeconomic barriers to healthcare, mental health, and digital literacy for individuals aged 14 to 30 across Latvia, Italy, and Bulgaria.