Fuchs made the statement at a video conference at which the new generation of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programme for the period 2021-2027 was presented.
An increase in the annual budget is expected, the minister said, recalling the last seven years of successful implementation of Erasmus+ in Croatia.
"More than 120,000 citizens from all age groups participated in project activities, from those in pre-school institutions, primary and secondary schools, student dormitories and polytechnics to museums, libraries and organisations working with young people as well as many others, 1,565 in total," said the minister.
Of the 112,000 participants, as many as 57,000 took part in mobility projects abroad.
"During the past seven-year period, more than 2,800 Erasmus+ projects were agreed and Croatia had more than €160 million in EU grants to co-finance them. It signed contracts for an impressive 99% of the available funding," said Fuchs.
The Erasmus+ programme is the biggest EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. It enables the acquisition of new knowledge, experience and skills for all age groups - from kindergarten children to older age groups.
Thanks to an almost doubled budget, the new Erasmus+ programme will be aligned with the digital and green transition and it also aims to increase participation for those with less opportunities.
The new programme will play a key role in the creation of a European Education Area in the period until 2025 and in the further promotion of the sector of education and training, youth and sport. A European student card will be a key contribution to simplifying, facilitating and encouraging student mobility in Europe. The programme will also support leading initiatives such as the European Universities Initiative, the Erasmus teacher academy and vocational excellence centres.
The programme also provides great opportunities for young people, including volunteering in Croatia and abroad, and in the next seven years it will enable the European Solidarity Corps programme, which promotes solidarity and unity.