EU withdraws Erasmus support from Hungarian foundation universities – UPDATE
The European Union has written a letter to the Hungarian government, in which they withdraw the Erasmus support from Hungarian foundation universities for the time being. The ban applies to applications evaluated after December 15, 2022.
No Erasmus support for Hungarian foundation universities
Educational institutions in Hungary that operate in the form of public interest trust foundations or are maintained by such foundations cannot receive new grants from the Erasmus+ cooperation and education exchange program funded by the European Union. In addition, this applies to the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework program, too, reports Népszava. At the end of December, the competent directorates-general of the European Commission notified the board’s services and the national authorities entrusted with managing the funds. The ban applies to applications evaluated after December 15, 2022.
There are 21 foundation universities in Hungary
There are 21 foundation universities operating in Hungary, the majority of which have received significant subsidies from the EU until now. Between 2014 and 2020, the Corvinus University of Budapest won a grant of 3.6 million euros from the Horizon 2020 research framework program for 11 projects. And in December 2020, for the first time in its history, as a consortium leader, it won a tender with a total budget of 4 million euros. According to the European Commission, in 2020, 22,622 Hungarian nationals participated in Erasmus+ foreign exchange programmes in the fields of higher education, vocational training, school education, and adult education. The European Union supported them with 40.45 million euros.
Why did the European Union withdraw the Erasmus support?
The EU finance ministers decided to stop community financing on December 15, 2022. They gave instructions that the Union may not enter into a new financial agreement with the public interest trust foundation established on the basis of the Hungarian law of 2021, or with the legal entity maintained by such a foundation. Originally, the EU condemned the lack of transparency of community funds. Neither the public procurement nor conflict of interest rules applied to them. Although the Parliament amended the relevant laws last autumn, it did not change the provision that allows high-ranking political officials to join the management boards of foundations. The EU27 consider it incompatible that political leaders can decide on the payment of public funds to organisations in which they are employees and have decision-making powers. Therefore, they withdraw support from the outsourced universities for the time being.
These are the universities operated by public interest trust foundations
- Budapest University of Economics
- University of Dunaújváros
- University of Debrecen
- Corvinus University of Budapest
- Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Hungarian Dance Academy
- University of Veterinary Science
- Moholy-Nagy University of Arts
- Semmelweis University
- János Neumann University
- University of Nyíregyháza
- Pannon University
- Óbuda University
- University of Sopron
- István Széchenyi University
- University of Szeged
- University of Theater and Film Arts
- Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sports Sciences
- Tokaj-Hegyalja University
- University of Miskolc
- University of Pécs
UPDATE
Read alsoHungarian universities excluded from Erasmus, here are the opposition reactions
Read alsoHungarian government: it is not true that the EU is stopping Erasmus plus programs
Source: Népszava
Another Legacy of Disaster that will be left to Education, thousands of Educators and Students in Hungary, bought about by Victor Orban & his Government.
Hungary the damage and scaring factually caused by Victor Orban & his Government, that support extends for Educators/Education students and families, outside the borders of our country, naming the European Union, as a SUPPORTER to Education in Hungary, questioning the Orban Governments “Modis Operandi” – in the near past, keeping a close watchful eye RIGHTFULLY on the the “games” of the Orban Government.
Solidarity we will be Victors.
Sadly and wrongfully for Education – thousands of innocent Hungarian student, this Erasmus support withdrawal from Hungarian foundation Universities, rests entirely on doings and goings on of Victor Orban, that he will NEVER be able to ERASE that FACT.
The BLOWN again received for Education in Hungary, principally through the DOINGS and ACTS of this Victor Orban Government – Appalling.
WHAT a Legacy Orban will leave to Education in Hungary in addition to ALL other Public needs and services like Health, Hospitals – that his Government have FAILED us, through there inability greed and selfishness, just MASSIVELY dismissing the NEED of a Government making INVESTMENT up-grading and overall improvements.
Education – Educators, students and families – citizens of Hungary – it just becomes CLEARER as time moves on, that we have been FAILED, by Victor Orban & his Government.
The WRATH presence – of Victor Orban on Hungary, the nadir, is distanced from the tragically deep and blackening hole it will continue to leave on Hungary.
Hungary is going downhill with increasing speed under Orban. Fidesz uses Soviet style interference in the free market economy, siphons off funds to their cronies and loses billions in EU money. Fidesz supporters are going to be left incredulous with no understanding of what is happening to them because all of the information they get is coming from government propaganda distributed by Hungarian media. Hungarians are going to Romania for work. Romania is now overtaking Hungary. If you know the history of the two countries that is a huge embarrassment that should be a wakeup call for Hungarians.
Once again, the EU is using political blackmail tactics of withholding funds. This is NOT a democratic move. When will the EU commies recently caught cheating be subjected to such penalties? Hypocrites with double standards, the lot. Shame.
Out of Europe of your own choice. Very regrettable, fully preventable, but – by all means – continue down this path. Perhaps the Lomonosov University will give Hungarian Universities a sweet hug?