EU Heads of State and Government received a letter backing the Erasmus Programme and signed by more than 100 European personalities from the worlds of education, art, literature, economics, philosophy and sport. The letter calls for investment in education and training to be at the heart of Europe's response to the crisis, and was signed by personalities such as the Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar, the president of FC Barcelona Sandro Rosell or the Nobel Prize winner Professor Christopher Pissarides.

A letter signed by more than 100 European personalities from the worlds of education, art, literature, economics, philosophy and sport was sent to EU Heads of State and Government in support of the threatened Erasmus student exchange programme. The letter warns that unless the 2012 and 2013 EU budgets are sufficient to meet pledges already made to students on the basis of previously agreed commitments. The programme already faces a €90 million shortfall this year and it is feared the situation will worsen in 2013.

The signatories highlighted in the letter that investment in education and training to be at the heart of Europe's response to the crisis, and also supported the Commission's plans to increase opportunities for young people to boost their skills and employability under the new 'Erasmus for All' programme, due for launch in 2014.

Over the past 25 years, Erasmus has enabled nearly three million young Europeans to study abroad. More recently, it has also supported job placements in companies abroad. A whole generation has learned what it means to live and work alongside people from another culture, and to develop the skills and versatility which are vital for the modern labour market. The letter concludes that Erasmus for All will cost less than 2% of the total EU budget. In the coming weeks, the EU's government leaders, will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to endorse the new programme and give it the resources it needs.