Updates

Erasmus Generation Meeting (EGM) is the largest student-led conference in Europe. It is a vibrant testament to the power of youth leadership. Organised by the dedicated volunteers of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), this year’s 5th edition brought more than one thousand people to Split, Croatia.

The conference served as a melting pot for change, bringing together ESNers, institutional stakeholders, organisational leaders, and representatives from both the cities and the universities.

Port of Mobility, Gateway to Skills
Under this year’s theme, the EGM set its insights on a critical mission: the formal recognition of volunteering.

For countless students across Europe, ESN is more than a hobby. They dedicate their time and energy, often at great personal sacrifice, fueled only by the satisfaction of making an impact. But while passion is a powerful engine, the EGM argued that it shouldn’t be the only reward. The skill sets acquired through volunteering deserve to be formally acknowledged in the professional world.

A path towards recognition
The conference didn’t just highlight the problem, it spotlighted the solution. The European Commission now formally views volunteering as a vital non-formal education experience.

This shift aims to integrate volunteer work into educational and professional pathways through:
Youthpass and Europass: Utilising EU-wide instruments to document and validate competencies.
Policy Frameworks: Encouraging Member States to treat volunteer work as legitimate professional experience.

Looking ahead: EGM Wrocław 2027 As the sun sets on a successful gathering in Split, the EGM history is not over. The next Erasmus Generation will gather for EGM Wrocław 2027 in Poland.
It is a proud moment for our friends in Wrocław, who are already preparing to open the next chapter of mobility and skill-building in the heart of Poland!