Europe recently said farewell to Sofia Corradi, affectionately known as “Mamma Erasmus.” Her vision of educational mobility and cooperation brought to life the Erasmus Programme, one of the European Union’s most celebrated initiatives. Designed to make learning a shared European experience, the programme has transformed higher education, youth work, and civic engagement across the continent.
Nearly forty years after its launch in 1987, the Erasmus legacy continues to shape Europe’s social and democratic landscape. More than 14 million Europeans have benefited from study, training, or volunteering opportunities abroad. With a budget of €26.2 billion for 2021–2027, Erasmus+ remains one of the EU’s strongest instruments for promoting inclusion, participation, and mobility, in this way empowering new generations to learn, engage, and lead.
For ALDA, the spirit of Erasmus has always been central to its mission. Learning, exchange, and cooperation are not only educational tools but essential elements of democracy in action. Through its many Erasmus+-funded projects, ALDA turns these values into practice, bridging the gap between education, civic participation, and local governance.
Among ALDA’s many initiatives supported by the Erasmus+ programme, these are just some examples of how the association transforms learning and participation into tools for democratic engagement. READY (Raising Environmental Awareness for Deprived Youth) helps young people from disadvantaged areas explore how environmental protection and active citizenship can go hand in hand. Funded by Erasmus+, the project promotes creativity, dialogue, and social inclusion through innovative learning experiences, empowering youth to become agents of sustainability in their communities.
Similarly, the RISE project (Resilience, Inclusion, Sustainability, Empowerment) embodies the Erasmus vision by strengthening youth participation in decision-making processes. Through local and international workshops, RISE promotes skills development and democratic awareness, encouraging young citizens to take an active role in shaping the societies they live in.
Another example of Erasmus+ support is CREATE UP, which promotes entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative sectors. By linking education, innovation, and social responsibility, CREATE UP enables emerging professionals and artists to turn ideas into impact, demonstrating how Erasmus+ can connect creativity with civic engagement.
Finally, Youth for Europe, one of ALDA’s long-standing Erasmus+ projects, remains a key reference in promoting intercultural dialogue and shared European identity. Through youth exchanges and local activities, the project strengthens solidarity and understanding between communities across Europe, building bridges between generations and territories.
The Erasmus legacy is alive in ALDA’s daily work — where learning and participation become the foundations of democratic resilience.
Through these and many other initiatives, ALDA demonstrates how education and civic engagement reinforce one another. By empowering young people, supporting local authorities, and connecting citizens through dialogue and shared learning, ALDA contributes to the long-term goals of Erasmus+: building a Europe that is inclusive, sustainable, and democratic.
Beyond projects, ALDA’s Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) and its network of more than 300 members in 50 countries continue to promote opportunities for mobility, training, and partnership. Each Erasmus+ experience, whether a workshop, exchange, or capacity-building programme, becomes a seed for civic transformation, nurturing the next generation of European leaders.
As Europe faces global challenges and transitions, digital, social, and environmental, the Erasmus legacy remains more relevant than ever. It reminds us that cooperation, mutual learning, and empathy are the pillars of a democratic Europe. For ALDA, carrying this legacy forward means continuing to build bridges between citizens and institutions, and ensuring that education and participation remain at the heart of democracy.
