On Friday, 1 July, a 2 euro commemorative coin dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the launch of the European Commission's (EC) education and training exchange programme Erasmus will be made available. Since its inception in 1987, around 10 million EU residents have benefited from Erasmus.
The program covers a wide range of people and provides different learning opportunities. It has been known as Erasmus+ since 2014, and it encompasses the previous programs not only in the field of higher education but also in other education sectors (e.g. school, vocational and adult education, youth, sport).
The Erasmus+ program focuses on individual and group learning mobility, as well as on organisational cooperation that fosters inclusion, excellence, creativity, innovation and sustainability, with particular emphasis on social inclusion and diversity, digital transition, aspects of environmental protection and participation in democratic processes. Particular attention is given to the expanded pool of opportunities offered by the international dimension of higher education.
In 1998, when Latvia became a candidate country for joining the European Union, EU education programs became operational in Latvia.
The total mintage of circulation quality or coins in rolls for the "ERASMUS 35" coins is 300 000 pieces. The price per coin in gift packing is 8.80 euro.
The historical figure after whom the program is named is Erasmus of Rotterdam, a Dutch philosopher and theologian of the 15th-16th centuries.
