The Jean Monnet Programme is an important part of the broader Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. Named after one of the founding figures of the European Union, Jean Monnet, the programme focuses on promoting excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of European integration processes, the role of the EU in a global context, and the various policies and actions of the EU.
The Jean Monnet Programme is designed to achieve several key objectives:
The Jean Monnet Programme offers a range of activities and funding opportunities, including:
By integrating these activities, the Jean Monnet Programme plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of EU studies, promoting European values, and building a better understanding of the EU both within and outside Europe.
The Jean Monnet Programme has a rich history that reflects the evolving nature of European integration and the European Union’s commitment to fostering academic interest in EU studies. The programme was launched by the European Commission in 1989, with the primary goal of encouraging the study of European integration at higher education institutions around the world. This was a period marked by significant developments in European integration, including the creation of the Single Market and the early stages of the Maastricht Treaty negotiations, which would lead to the formation of the European Union as we know it today.
In its early years, the Jean Monnet Programme focused on supporting a limited number of academic institutions in Europe, primarily through the funding of teaching positions and research on European integration. The aim was to create a network of academic experts who could help build a deeper understanding of the European integration process. The programme quickly gained traction, expanding beyond Europe to include universities in countries outside the EU, reflecting the global importance of European studies.
As the European Union itself expanded in the 1990s and 2000s, with new member states joining from Central and Eastern Europe, the Jean Monnet Programme also grew. It began to fund a broader range of activities, including Jean Monnet Chairs, Modules, and Centres of Excellence. These initiatives were designed to promote interdisciplinary studies on European integration, encouraging a new generation of scholars and students to engage with EU-related topics.
In 2014, the Jean Monnet Programme was integrated into the Erasmus+ programme, the EU’s flagship initiative for education, training, youth, and sport. This integration allowed the Jean Monnet activities to benefit from the broader resources and reach of Erasmus+, while still maintaining its specific focus on EU studies. The move also aligned with the EU’s broader goals of promoting lifelong learning and fostering international cooperation in education.
Under Erasmus+, the Jean Monnet Programme has continued to evolve, with a renewed emphasis on global engagement and the promotion of European values. It now funds a wide range of activities, from small-scale teaching projects to large networks of academic institutions, all aimed at enhancing the understanding of European integration both within and outside the EU. The programme remains a key tool for the European Union in promoting its values and fostering a deeper understanding of its role in the world.
