ANOSR (The National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania) is organizing massive protests and marches across the country as the new academic year begins. The protests are taking place in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Galați, Suceava, Baia Mare, Alba Iulia, Sibiu, and Timișoara.

Between December 2024 and August 2025, ANOSR led a sustained campaign against a series of austerity measures affecting students in Romania, including the Emergency Ordinance 156/2024, which limited access to subsidized transportation. Despite collecting over 50,000 petition signatures and addressing multiple decision makers, students’ demands were repeatedly ignored. The adoption of Law 141/2025 formalized the austerity measures, including a 40% cut to the national scholarship fund, prompting widespread protests in June 2025 across university centers. Students condemned the state’s neglect of an already struggling education system with a dropout rate exceeding 40%.

In August, ANOSR published a report exposing the chronic underfunding of student scholarships over the past decade. At the same time, students took their frustration to the streets. In Timișoara, over 500 student leaders gathered to protest, later going to the country’s border, to express that they are driven to consider leaving the country due to the government’s continuous ignorance.

Looking at all the efforts initiated by students through ANOSR and the academic community over the past year, we face a state in which education is the lowest priority. The Romanian state disregards the needs and rights of its direct beneficiaries of education, the voices of stakeholders and civil society, which have repeatedly warned over the past months that these measures are destroying the education system.

In the absence of the state-guaranteed rights and measures ensuring equal access for students facing difficult socio-economic situations, special educational needs, or medical problems, these individuals find themselves unable to sustain their studies and are forced to drop out, excluding them from higher education. This contributes to the growing phenomenon of university dropout, which currently exceeds 40%, posing a serious problem for Romania’s education system and systematic failure to uphold the right to education.

ESU supports ANOSR’s demands to reverse austerity measures affecting students, including:

• reinstituting the allocation of the scholarship fund for the entire calendar year (12 months);
• restoring the payment of scholarships to students over the entire calendar year (12 months);
• increasing the percentage of the net minimum wage used to calculate the standard cost for establishing the scholarship fund from 10% to 17.5%, to return to a scholarship fund value similar to that of 2024, when the standard cost represented 10% of the gross minimum wage;
• reintroducing the possibility for students enrolled in fee-paying positions to receive scholarships from state budget funds;
• encouraging higher education institutions to diversify support mechanisms for students through their own income, including via institutional projects;
• increasing the own-contribution of higher education institutions to the scholarship fund to supplement the number of scholarships awarded, especially to meet the demands of students eligible for social scholarships;
• repealing Article XXIX, paragraph (1) of Emergency Ordinance no. 156/2024, which limits students’ rights to access domestic rail transport facilities on all routes.

ESU stands in solidarity with Romanian students and firmly supports their right to protest, be heard, and exercise their fundamental right to access fair and inclusive education. We call on Romanian authorities to immediately reconsider the harmful austerity measures, engage in meaningful dialogue with student representatives, and prioritize education as a public good. The future of higher education in Romania depends on investing in students.

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1. Introduction

Following the European Commission’s presentation of the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) on 16 July, the European Students’ Union (ESU) welcomes the Commission’s recognition of the importance of education, citizenship and solidarity within the proposed framework. We note with concern, however, that the proposal remains at a general and superficial level. The proposed allocation of €40.8 billion for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) represents an important commitment, yet falls short of adequately addressing inflation and the growing demands placed on these programmes. Against this background, ESU outlines below its key priorities and expectations to ensure that the final programme delivers on its promise for students and civil society organisations.

2. Demands

On the budget

Since the proposal of the European Commission was published in July 2025, a narrative has been introduced that the Erasmus+ budget has been increased by 50% compared to the last MFF¹. However, when taking inflation since 2021 and the merger of Erasmus+ with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) into account, the effective increase is closer to 35%. For ESU, this is far from sufficient to achieve the objectives set by the union in its different policies².  

ESU reaffirms that a fivefold increase in the budget is necessary to achieve the goals set in Europe on the Move and the Union of Skills, and that any further reduction would harm access to student mobility and undermine the work of Education Stakeholders. 

On Sectoral Partition 

While ESU recognises the importance of balanced funding across all educational sectors, at the same time, higher education mobility and initiatives should not be compromised by budgetary reallocations. The Union of Skills itself acknowledges that more than half of future jobs will require high qualifications, underscoring the need to strengthen higher education’s role in delivering Europe’s long-term competitiveness and resilience. Any diversion of resources away from higher education mobility risks weakening Europe’s talent base and its ability to realise its strategic ambitions. 

Therefore, ESU calls on the EU to safeguard higher education allocations within Erasmus+ and asks for clear earmarks between the education sectors, as well as between education, youth and sports to ensure that new priorities are met with additional resources rather than redistribution.

On the support for European networks

Support to European networks through instruments such as the Operating Grant has been an indispensable tool for European civil society organisations to function and support them in their work as social partners of the institutions. Civil society, as a strong contributor and safeguard of a healthy and transparent democratic governance, supports and strengthens EU values. It is of the utmost importance that the EU continues to support civil society in their actions and work on a European level. ESU is deeply concerned that the emphasis on cooperation between institutions and organisations is not developed in the proposal and fears a reduction in the support given to civil society in the next MFF. Therefore, ESU urges for the expansion of Article 6 of the legal framework to clearly mention support for European networks and to ensure a commitment to reducing the administrative burden associated with applying for and reporting. 

On citizenship education and commodification

ESU welcomes the strong emphasis on citizenship education and active participation in the new MFF proposals, as these are crucial in times of democratic backsliding, polarisation and disinformation. However, we remain critical of an overly utilitarian framing of education that reduces learners to their labour market output. Preparing citizens means not only equipping them with skills but also fostering democratic values, critical thinking, and active engagement in society. Education must be safeguarded against commodification and reaffirmed as a public good that nurtures citizens’ holistic development rather than serving exclusively as an instrument of employability.

On students at risk and humanitarian aid

While ESU welcomes the inclusion of humanitarian aid within the Erasmus+ framework, we remain concerned that the specific situation of students at risk is not sufficiently addressed. As human rights and fundamental freedoms are a core commitment of the EU, the Commission must take concrete measures to support young people facing persecution or unsafe conditions. Safeguarding human rights should not be regarded as a cost, but as a fundamental expression of the EU’s mission and values.

Building on our call for a “European Students at Risk” scheme, ESU urges the creation of a dedicated instrument, similar to existing support mechanisms for researchers, recognising persecuted students as human rights defenders and supporting students denied access to education due to political persecution, conflict, or humanitarian crises. Without this, Erasmus+ risks falling short of its potential to safeguard fundamental values and provide inclusive opportunities for all learners.

¹ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_25_2028

² Union of Skills (https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/union-skills_en) and Europe on the Move (https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/news/europe-on-the-move-a-proposal-on-the-future-of-learning-mobility)

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The application deadline is 14/09/2025 (23:59 CET)

More about ESU

The European Students Union (ESU) is the umbrella organisation of 43 National Unions of Students from 40 countries and thus represents over 20 million students in Europe. Since 1982, it has represented and promoted students’ educational, social, economic and cultural interests at a European level towards all relevant bodies (European Union, BFUG, Council of Europe, and UNESCO) in the Education sector. 

We offer a diverse and multicultural working environment in the centre of the EU district!

About the Position

An experienced, motivated and committed individual to be our next Project Officer. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about democracy, inclusion and sustainability and wants to make higher education policy-making more understandable and accessible to everyone!

• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Starting date: October 2025, exact date to be confirmed
• Duration: One-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension. Employment contract under Belgian employment law with a benefits package. (37.5 hr/week).
• The gross monthly salary, according to the Commission Paritaire 329.03 currently applied at ESU, is 2,234.80€, which will be commensurate with abilities and experience, plus attractive additional benefits (transport, food vouchers, per diem during occasional travel, etc.).
• Flexibility about home-teleworking some days per week with a 50€ monthly allowance compensation.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Work on the whole project’s cycle (proposal writing, implementation and reporting);
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the projects under Erasmus+, Council of Europe, European Youth Foundation and other funding streams;
• Handle the logistics and all procedures of the projects;
• Work on the project’s budget and financial reporting;
• Coordinate and organise meetings, conferences, trainings and other project-related events, and prepare the necessary materials, including concept notes, reports, presentations, agendas and minutes;
• Act as a liaison between project coordinators and other people involved in the projects;
• Regularly report and communicate with the donor institution(s) and/or managing authority.
• Liaise with the diverse membership of ESU in matters relating to projects.

The Secretariat of ESU is small, the workload varies according to project cycles, application and reporting periods, therefore project teams assist each other during times of higher workload. 

Eligibility requirements and skills/abilities

You are an ideal candidate for this position if you:

• Have experience in working in project management for a minimum of a year;

• A person who is full of initiative, self-driven, curious, creative, flexible and results-oriented;
• Solid project life cycle understanding;
• Have a Master’s degree in EU policies, EU law, Project Management or other… 
• Experience in coordinating and leading a project;
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and compelling manner;
• Good understanding of the functioning of the EU institutions, EU’s political priorities and main policies is an asset;
• Understanding of EU Programmes, especially those related to higher education and youth;
• Able to communicate information accurately and in a youth-friendly way;
• Strong ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, and the ability to prioritise work, work under tight deadlines and pay attention to detail;
• Having background in youth or student organisation is an asset;
• Good ICT skills (MS Office, MS Project, Google Drive, etc.);
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of other languages is an asset.

The position might require travel in Europe several times during the year, fully covered by ESU, and occasional weekends, which would be compensated.

How to apply?

ESU is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or any other direct or indirect type of discrimination.

If you have any question related to the position,  please send an email to: louis.brau@esu-online.org.

If you are interested in applying for the position of Project Officer, please send an email to jobs@esu-online.org with the subject line ‘Project Officer – Your Name and Surname’, including the mandatory attachments:

• Your CV (maximum 2 pages), Europass is better but not mandatory!
• And the application form (in pdf format).

Optional:

• A recommendation letter is an asset.

Deadline to apply and agenda: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to be invited to the following phases of the

recruitment process, which will consist of an interview.

• ESU Secretariat must receive all applications by the 14th of September 2025, 23:39 (CET)
• Around the 20th of September, shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an online interview.
• Decision and notification shall take place before the beginning of October.
• The selected person should start working in the Secretariat of ESU by mid-October.

The selected candidate will need to reside in or relocate to Belgium when the employment contract starts.

Protection of personal data

As the body responsible for organising the competition, ESU ensures that applicants’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data. You can request anytime, by sending an e-mail to office@esu-online.org, to alter, delete your data or information about the data we processed and how it is stored. 

For more information, please send an email to: louis.brau@esu-online.org

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SPICE, also known as BWSE 2.0, aims to support the implementation of the Bologna Process commitments across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), with a focus on student-centred learning, mobility and quality assurance. The highlight of the project for ESU will be the publication of BWSE 2027.

As for Inspire, it is designed to support the implementation of the Principles and Guidelines for strengthening the social dimension of higher education (PAG) in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

If you want to know more, you can directly check ESU’s webpage for projects!
Stay tuned, more info about both projects will come in the upcoming weeks.

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From July 12–18, we held our first handover between the outgoing and incoming Executive Committees in the stunning coastal city of Zadar, Croatia. This event helped us to ensure continuity, collaboration, and clarity for the new team beginning its mandate on August 1st.
Both the outgoing and incoming teams were present, working side by side to ensure a comprehensive and transparent transfer of knowledge. Before arriving in Zadar, incoming team members were introduced to ESU’s work through a series of online sessions focused on each of our working clusters. These virtual introductions helped set the stage for a productive week together.
Once in Zadar, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Practical exercises were designed to give all members of the Hacks a solid grounding in ESU’s key focus areas—ranging from academic freedom and the union of skills to quality assurance and external representation. Each session was carefully crafted to ensure that everyone felt empowered and prepared for the road ahead.
Equally important was the emphasis on team-building. With a mix of structured activities and informal bonding, we laid the groundwork for strong internal dynamics that will support us throughout the mandate. Whether sharing ideas in workshops or sharing laughs over dinner, the energy was one of unity, respect, and enthusiasm.
Zadar itself offered the perfect setting for such an inspiring week. With its historic old town, breathtaking sunsets over the Adriatic Sea, and relaxing beachside moments, the city reminded us of the beauty of European diversity—not just in our work, but in our surroundings. A heartfelt thank you goes to Luka and Lana from the team, whose outstanding organization and local expertise made this week both seamless and memorable.
During our stay, we also divided responsibilities aligned with our Plan of Work, clarified external representation roles, and started preparing for key upcoming events. We are especially excited about ESC50 in Portugal and BM90 in Vienna, Austria this autumn!

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INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY “BLOOM – Blossoming into Sexual Health and Empowerment” led by ESU

The European Students’ Union (ESU), together with AMLÉ (Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, formerly known as USI), are proudly organising an international activity in Galway, Ireland.

We are looking for 20 student representatives to join us on a journey to strengthen sexual health education, gender equality, and human rights within higher education!

What?

The aim of the international activity “BLOOM” is to empower student representatives to become advocates for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and confidence to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights in their local and national student communities.

The specific objectives of the international activity are the following:

• Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Equip participants with a human rights-based, fact-based and global education perspective on CSE.
• Advocacy and Strategic Planning: Train participants to effectively advocate for CSE in their local contexts and within higher education institutions.
• Gender Equality and Inclusion: Foster safer, more inclusive environments and address gender-based violence through education and awareness.
• Peer-to-PeerLearning: Create networking and collaboration opportunities among student representatives to foster solidarity and common projects.

When and where?

From 28 September to 4 October 2025, including arrival and departure days (5 working days).

Venue: University of Galway, Ireland

Who?

• Are you a student representative engaged in sexual health, gender equality or human rights advocacy?
• Are you a resident in one of the Council of Europe member states?
• Are you motivated to promote comprehensive sexuality education and safer, more inclusive spaces in higher education?

Cost

The enrolment fee for selected participants is 50 euros.

Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are fully covered by the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.

How?

National unions of students are invited to nominate a maximum of two student representatives. The nominated participants must commit to attending the full international activity. To confirm their participation, students will be required to provide proof of their travel booking after consultation with the recruitment team.

To apply: Please complete the application form.

Deadline: 27 July at 23:59 CET.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact joana.azeiteiro@esu-online.org and daciana.pop@esu-online.org

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