Erasmus Days 2026 celebrates international learning and skills for the future

The 10th edition of Erasmus Days is being held from Oct 12 to 17, bringing together students, educators, trainers, institutions and other participants to showcase opportunities offered by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.

The annual event celebrates international learning, cultural exchange and cooperation across education, training, youth and sport. Participants can organise or attend activities that highlight Erasmus+ projects, share experiences of studying or training abroad and explore opportunities for international collaboration.

This year’s theme is “Learning and growing: skills for tomorrow”, with a focus on developing the knowledge and capabilities people need in a changing world.

Digital education and essential skills in focus

The 2026 edition highlights the importance of foundational skills, including literacy, mathematics, science, digital competence and citizenship. It also places emphasis on digital education, recognising its role in helping learners understand emerging challenges and participate in increasingly connected societies.

Teachers and trainers are another focus of the programme, with the event highlighting their contribution to developing and sharing skills. Cooperation between educational institutions is also being promoted as a way to exchange practices, strengthen expertise and support innovation.

The theme aligns with the European Union’s broader Union of Skills initiative, which aims to strengthen education, training and lifelong learning.

Events include exhibitions, workshops and cultural activities

Erasmus Days events can take different forms, including seminars, conferences, language-learning sessions, photo exhibitions, cultural festivals and social media campaigns.

The activities give current and former Erasmus+ participants opportunities to share their experiences while helping prospective participants learn about international mobility and cooperation.

The official Erasmus Days website lists events by country, location, date and category. Its programme includes activities organised by schools, universities, youth organisations and other participating institutions.

More than 10,000 events held in 2025

The previous edition recorded 10,324 events across 59 countries, according to the Erasmus Days website. The initiative has developed into an international platform for institutions and participants to showcase projects and communicate the benefits of the Erasmus+ programme.

Erasmus+ supports opportunities in education, vocational training, youth and sport. It also funds cooperation between organisations and institutions, helping participants develop skills and gain experience in international settings.

The Erasmus Days celebration is intended to make these opportunities more visible and encourage people to explore the programme’s activities.

How to participate in Erasmus Days 2026

People interested in the event can browse activities through the official Erasmus Days website. Depending on the event, participation may involve attending a public activity, joining a discussion, learning about exchange opportunities or sharing experiences on social media.

Organisations can use the event to showcase Erasmus+ projects and connect with prospective participants. Registration for organising events in the 2026 edition is now closed, according to the official website, but listed activities can still be explored.