08.04.2022
DISCOVEREU - TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN EUROPE
DiscoverEU - the EC's work to enable 18-year-olds to explore Europe mainly by train, opens its first round of applications in 2022. By 21 April, young people living in Erasmus + countries will be able to apply for one of the 35,000 free travel cards.
This year marks DiscoverEU's entry into the Erasmus + program. With this change and through the extra funding for the European Year of Youth (2022), 70,000 travel cards will be provided in 2022: 35,000 within the announced application cycle and another 35,000 in the application cycle, scheduled for October. Integration into Erasmus+ also gives candidates from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Northern Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey who will be able to join the action for the first time.
Applicants who have successfully completed the selection quiz born between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004 will be able to travel in Europe for up to 30 days during the travel period between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. Those who turn 18 in the second half of the year will be able to apply in October.
In addition, recipients of the travel card will now receive a discount card from DiscoverEU. This new feature will give access to over 40,000 discount opportunities in public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports and other services available in all eligible countries.
To increase the learning dimension of the DiscoverEU experience, Erasmus + National Agencies will facilitate information meetings and meetings to prepare young travelers for their journey and to establish peer learning. Through these meetings, DiscoverEU aims to promote, inter alia, discussions on sustainability, culture and European identity. Particular attention is paid to inclusion. Participants with disabilities or health problems may be accompanied during their trip. In addition to travel expenses, additional individual assistance is also provided.
The EC promotes sustainable rail travel. Exceptions are made for those who have difficulty reaching continental Europe to begin their journey by train. Therefore, specific measures are available to young people from the outermost regions, overseas countries and territories, remote areas and islands.
Context
The EC launched the (DiscoverEU) initiative in June 2018 following a preparatory action by the European Parliament. It was officially integrated into the new Erasmus + program for the period 2021-2027.
Since 2018, more than 860,000 applicants have applied for 130,000 available travel tickets: according to a previous travel survey, 66% of applicants said they were traveling for the first time by train outside their country of residence. For many, it was also the first time they traveled without their parents or accompanying adults, with most saying the experience allowed them to become more independent.
Experience within DiscoverEU has allowed them to better understand other cultures and European history. Their foreign language skills also improved during the trip. Two-thirds of participants said they could not cover the cost of the travel card without DiscoverEU assistance. Participants are invited to become DiscoverEU ambassadors in order to promote the initiative. They are also encouraged to connect with other travelers to the official DiscoverEU online group to share experiences and exchange advice, especially on cultural specifics and ways to travel sustainably with digital technology.
To apply, eligible applicants must take part in a quiz on common issues of the European Union and other EU initiatives aimed at young people. With an additional question, candidates are invited to know how many people born on Tuesday will apply in this round. The closer the assumption is to the correct answer, the more points the candidate receives. This will allow the Commission to rank the candidates. The Commission will propose travel cards to the candidates according to their ranking and until the available tickets are exhausted.
