A school in Helensburgh has played a part in Scotland receiving its largest ever allocation of Erasmus+ EU funding in 2017 – up nearly €5m since last year. 

New figures from the British Council and Ecorys UK, the National Agency delivering the European Union scheme in the UK, show that a total of €21m is being shared by 159 Scottish organisations working in a range of sectors such as colleges, schools and universities.

Hermitage Primary School successfully applied for €2,165 for language training.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie is encouraging local organisations to engage with Erasmus+ and apply for funding.

Jackie said:

“Many graduates in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh have already benefited from Erasmus while at university but fewer people realise that the programme is also open to children and young people at schools.

“The Erasmus programme increases the confidence, skills and employability of young people and I am delighted that pupils at Hermitage Primary have had the opportunity to take part.

“There is still time to apply for funding in this year’s programme and I would encourage all schools in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute to consider making an application.” 

Welcoming the news, Director of the British Council in Scotland, Jackie Killeen said:

“Enabling people and organisations in communities all over Scotland to learn from and share with their international counterparts is at the very heart of what we do.

“These new figures for Erasmus+ demonstrate the huge appetite across Scotland’s education and youth training sectors for international exchange, collaboration and partnership