Applications open for DiscoverEU: An Action of the Erasmus+ Programme

Deadline: 30 April 2024

Are you 18 years old and a resident of one of the EU Member States or third countries associated to Erasmus+? Get ready to explore Europe! This April 2024, the European Youth Week celebrates young Europeans! Taking place 2 months ahead of the European elections, it gives you the chance to ‘Voice your Vision’ for the future.

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ Programme (2021-2027). It aims at offering young people aged 18 years old a travel experience that will foster their sense of belonging to the European Union, allow them to explore the diversity of Europe, its cultural heritage and history, connect with people from all over the continent and ultimately discover themselves.

In spring 2024, the European Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), are going to select at least 35 000 young people meeting the eligibility criteria.

The European Commission and EACEA will provide the successful young people with travel passes to explore Europe between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2025 for a maximum period of one month.

Awarded applicants will, as a basic rule, travel by rail. However, to ensure the widest possible access, the action offers alternative transport modes as ferries and coaches when necessary and takes into account environmental, time and distance considerations.

In exceptional cases, and when no other transportation means are available, young people will be offered travel by plane. This will ensure that young people living in remote areas or on islands also have a chance to take part in DiscoverEU.

The awarded participants will also be granted a European Youth Card (EYCA). This card will be available for activation in the dedicated DiscoverEU Travel App, accessible to participants after completing the booking process. The card is valid for 1 year after its activation and will grant young people discounts for visits and activities in culture, learning, nature, sports, local transportation, accommodation, food, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must be:
- 18 years old on 1 July 2024, i.e. those young people born between 1 July 2005 (included) and 30 June 2006 (included);
- be citizen or resident of one of:
  - the 27 Member States of the European Union including its outermost regions (French Guiana (FR), Guadeloupe (FR), Martinique (FR), la Réunion (FR), Mayotte (FR), Saint-Martin (FR), Azores (PT), Madeira (PT) and Canary Islands (ES)), or
  - citizen of one of the 27 Member States of the European Union as well as resident in one of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union: Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), Saint Pierre et Miquelon (FR), Wallis et Futuna Islands (FR), or
  - the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye.
- fill their correct identity card (ID) or passport number or resident permit number in the online application form.
If awarded, selected applicants can only travel if they:
- start their journey in any of the countries eligible for DiscoverEU (see above) at the time of the selection decision;
- plan to travel between 1 day and up to one month inclusive;
- plan to travel to at least one foreign country eligible for DiscoverEU (see above) at the time of the selection decision;
- are willing to become DiscoverEU Ambassadors.
Any applicant not fulfilling the eligibility criteria will not be taken into consideration in the selection process.