Erasmus+ Mobility: An opportunity Kosovo cannot afford to miss

From today’s perspective, it is clear that the internationalisation of higher education is no longer a luxury but a necessity. In this context, Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) offers one of the most powerful instruments for Kosovo’s students and academic staff to connect with the European and wider academic world.

What does mobility represent?
Mobility means the opportunity for students to study one semester or more abroad, and for academic and administrative staff to teach, train, or exchange professional experiences in partner universities. The benefit is twofold: individuals enrich their academic and professional horizons, while institutions gain knowledge and new practices that help raise the quality of education.

Where does Kosovo stand?
Over the years, with EU’s support, Kosovo has marked continuous growth in the exchange of students and academic staff through the Erasmus+ program. From 2021 to 2023, 2398 students and academic staff went to Europe, and 1304 came to Kosovo through the international credit mobility action of the Erasmus+ program.

Meanwhile, in 2024, Kosovo ranked third among the four Western Balkan countries in terms of mobility flows. This is an indicator of steady commitment, but also a reminder that our country still has much untapped potential.

Looking more broadly, mobility is not only about numbers. It is a measure of how open our institutions are to international cooperation, the establishment of English-taught programs, as well as a reflection of our readiness to build bridges with European universities and increase the competitiveness of our diplomas in the global market.

Why do HEIs need to engage more?
Higher education institutions need to invest more in information, motivation, and building international partnerships. Every student or professor who studies/teaches abroad and returns with new experiences is an “ambassador of knowledge” who raises the overall level of the institution.

If Kosovo aims to build a competitive education system prepared for the future, then it must see the Erasmus+ program not just as a project, but as a national strategy for development and internationalisation.

Increasing the number of mobilities is not only about statistics — it is about strengthening the international profile of Kosovo’s higher education institutions, improving the quality of education, and equipping Kosovo’s youth with valuable skills and experiences for the future.

Kosovo’s success in Erasmus+ ICM reflects our commitment to educational excellence and international engagement. As we look toward the future, we see tremendous potential for further growth and impact. The foundation we have built through our current achievements provides an excellent platform for expanding participation and deepening the transformative impact of international mobility.

The path forward requires continued collaboration between the Kosovo Erasmus+ National Office, our higher education institutions, and our international partners. Together, we can ensure that mobility opportunities continue to grow, that access remains equitable, and that the benefits of international exchange contribute meaningfully to Kosovo’s development goals.

The success of mobilities in 2024 is not an endpoint but a step toward a more ambitious vision: a Kosovo where international mobility is an integral part of the educational experience, where our institutions are recognised across Europe for their quality and innovation, and where the next generation of Kosovars is fully prepared to contribute both to local development and global progress.

As we build upon this achievement, we remain committed to supporting our institutions in realising the full potential of international educational cooperation. The bridges we build through education today will shape the opportunities available to future generations of Kosovars, and we are determined to make those bridges as strong and numerous as possible.

The Kosovo Erasmus+ Office is funded by the European Union and continues to support the EU in promoting the international dimension of the Erasmus+ program in Kosovo. For more information about available opportunities and support services, institutions are encouraged to contact our office directly: office@erasmuspluskosovo.org