This Week in Higher Ed — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission adopts Greece's €4.8bn Social Climate Plan; UK financial terms for Erasmus+ in 2027 amended; Lebanon joins PRIMA.
August 24, 2026 to August 30, 2026
Commission adopts Greece's €4.8bn Social Climate Plan; UK financial terms for Erasmus+ in 2027 amended; Lebanon joins PRIMA.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
European Commission
Commission endorses Greece's €4.8 billion Social Climate Plan for 2026-2032
On 26 August 2026, the European Commission adopted Greece's Social Climate Plan, the fifth and largest national plan under the Social Climate Fund. The plan, developed with Greek authorities, will mobilise €4.77 billion by 2032—€3.57 billion from the EU and €1.2 billion from national funds. It aims to support 460,000 vulnerable households through energy renovations and installations of heat pumps and solar water heaters, and includes €226 million for renovating public student residences to benefit 5,930 students. The plan also targets 300,000 vulnerable transport users with more than 200 new electric buses, 22 additional Athens metro trains, and improved transport services in remote areas. A social leasing scheme will facilitate access to electric vehicles for 15,000 car-dependent households. For micro-enterprises, €820 million is dedicated to energy and mobility upgrades. The plan features accessibility improvements to public transport and housing, with Greece eligible for first payments upon meeting implementation milestones.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
EU–UK amend Erasmus+ contribution key for 2027 under TCA
Decision No 1/2026 (CELEX: 32026D1962), adopted by the Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes on 15 April 2026, amends Protocol I to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. The Decision adjusts the UK's financial contribution for Erasmus+ under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. This rebalancing is intended to ensure fairness in contributions and benefits. The Decision applies from 1 January 2027.
Lebanon joins PRIMA research partnership after 2026 agreement enters into force
The Agreement amending EU–Lebanon scientific and technological cooperation for Lebanon's participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) entered into force on 17 June 2026. The exchange of letters was signed on 8 December 2025. The terms align with those in OJ L 2026/1415.
EU Council
Upcoming: Informal General Affairs Council set for 3 September
An informal meeting of the General Affairs Council is scheduled for 3 September 2026.
