Assessing the Contribution of ERASMUS+ KA2 Projects to the SDGs: An Exploratory Analysis

João Robert Nogueira (), Lucimar Dantas, Carla Galego and Pedro Carmona Marques ()
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João Robert Nogueira: Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
Lucimar Dantas: Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
Carla Galego: Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
Pedro Carmona Marques: RCM2+, Faculty of Engineering, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-27

Abstract: This study examines the contribution of ERASMUS+ Key Action 2 (KA2) projects, funded between 2014 and 2020, to the dissemination and promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A predominantly quantitative content analysis was conducted based on metadata extracted from the official European Commission database, focusing on the presence of SDG-related keywords within the titles, topics, and abstracts of the projects. In total, 24,838 KA2 projects were examined. The findings reveal a growing alignment between funded projects and certain SDGs, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). In contrast, goals such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) are scarcely represented. Overall, the results demonstrate an increasing commitment to sustainability themes over time and also highlight notable gaps in the promotion of several SDGs. This analysis offers valuable insights into the strategic alignment of ERASMUS+ funding with the 2030 Agenda and identifies opportunities for strengthening its future contributions to sustainable development.

Keywords: ERASMUS+; sustainable development goals; higher education; academic mobility; innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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