[FR] Nostalgia for Europe: 10 reasons to choose FreeInterrail

This year, the utopian idea of activists Vincent-Immanuel Herr and Martin Speer will become reality: as part of a pilot project, 15,000 young people will receive an Interrail pass. Funding for this pilot project has been approved, but is insufficient: according to the European Commission’s proposed multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027 (MFF), the amount allocated to Erasmus+ will be doubled and, according to a Commission press release, €700 million will be earmarked for the FreeInterrail project. The draft MFF will be negotiated over the next two years and must then be approved by all Member States. This means that the funds may still be reallocated before then, so the promise of €700 million is not yet definitive. Since the Commission announced its plans, the initiative has been met with widespread criticism. The main arguments put forward by opponents are as follows: the project is too expensive; instead of investing in travel, it would be better to tackle unemployment; disadvantaged young people and those from the poorest countries would not be able to afford such a trip anyway; and what would be the added value of these trips for young people? Here are ten reasons why the FreeInterrail initiative would be a good thing for Europe.

1. A ticket that is offered to everyone.

If the project goes ahead as originally planned, every young person will be offered an Interrail voucher by the EU on their 18th birthday. This voucher is then valid for six years and can be exchanged at any time for a 30-day Interrail pass. Not all 18-year-olds have the money to cover the costs of accommodation and food on such a trip. It can therefore be assumed that a large proportion of these young people will be able to use these six years to save the money needed for the trip. The initiative should therefore really benefit the vast majority of young people. Every year, in the EU27, nearly five million young people come of age. If the draft budget is confirmed, the initiative will have €100 million per year at its disposal, or €200 per capita.

2. A ticket that makes an impression.

Young people travelling alone for the first time become independent, form an image of Europe and establish links with their neighbours. They discover how quickly the train allows them to access another culture, the diversity of landscapes in Europe and what it means to travel from one country to another without border controls or even changing currency, for the majority of countries.

3. A ticket that is just the beginning.

The FreeInterrail project is still in its infancy. The pilot phase will undoubtedly provide some useful lessons for the design of the actual project. Initiatives and programmes will be developed around the project to prepare young people for their trip and support them during their journey. For example, ‘pocket money’ grants or a ‘couchsurfing’ website reserved for young people could be created; advisers could also be appointed in different cities to help young people in case of problems.

4. A ticket designed as a new ERASMUS.

ERASMUS, the EU’s flagship project, was created in 1987. Since then, no fewer than 670,000 Germans have benefited from this programme to travel abroad. Currently, 37% of undergraduate students are not afraid to open themselves up to new horizons. While this figure may seem high, it represents only a tiny proportion of the student mobility that the FreeInterrail initiative would enable. In fact, according to estimates, only 5% of Europeans in a given age group take advantage of an ERASMUS stay. If 100% of young people in a given age group were to quickly benefit from a train ticket, the mobility of Europeans would necessarily increase.

5. A ticket that creates connections.

Unlike local initiatives or one-off events in different Member States, this initiative is aimed at all young people in all EU countries. The experience of travelling with a free Interrail pass could, within a few years, create links between entire generations. This unhindered access to mobility and the high number of young participants make this project so special.

6. A ticket that offers freedom.

The opportunity to travel to 30 countries gives young people the individual freedom to think for themselves about what they want to discover. This pass also offers a break at a time when the obligations of young adults are rapidly increasing. Travelling is officially allowed and encouraged. In this way, the EU is offering young people a little freedom.

7. A ticket that comes directly from the EU.

Every Harry Potter reader’s dream of receiving a special letter on their birthday will come true. The fact that young people receive this pass, offered by the EU, directly by post is particularly significant. The initiative builds a bridge between the European institutions and young people, who thus view Brussels in a positive light.

8. A ticket that sets priorities.

Young Europeans are at the heart of this initiative. Spending on this youth programme will increase by 50% in the next financial framework for 2021-2027, largely due to the FreeInterrail initiative. The need to support young people is significant and the possibilities are numerous, but the fact that the EU can now increase investment for the benefit of its young citizens is certainly a positive sign.

9. A ticket with symbolic significance.

The EU needs symbols because it needs to mobilise its citizens in order to (once again) enjoy stronger support from them. Promising cross-border projects that are forward-looking and benefit younger generations are a source of comfort to European public opinion, which has been affected by the crisis. It feels good to be back in the headlines together, but for positive reasons!

10. A banknote that shows initiative.

It is important for EU countries to pursue new projects together. European integration based on a traditional model does not work. Often, it is initiatives such as FreeInterrail, repeatedly considered failures but ultimately successful, that bring Europeans closer together. Here we go, off on an exciting journey together!