The programme helped Slovenia get more connected with the rest of the EU, Education Minister Maja Makovec Brenčič said on Thursday as she presented the programme to the press.

ERASMUS+ is a success story, at the level of both the EU and Slovenia, said Zoran Stančič, the head of European Commission's Representation Office in Slovenia.

Nearly half of all Slovenian primary schools took part in the programme between 2007 and 2015, alongside nearly 90% of all secondary schools and almost 80% of higher education institutions.

"The programme shows good results and an encouraging trend for the future," said the minister of education, science and sport. She added that EUR 14.7bn are available for education programmes in the EU between 2014 and 2020.

Funds available in Slovenia have increased considerably - while EUR 7.7m were available in 2007, EUR 15.5m were available in 2016.

Stančič believes that Slovenia could attract more foreign students if they were able to follow lectures in several languages.

Moreover, many face problems upon return because the exams they have passed in Ljubljana are not recognised by their professors, according to Stančič.

He added that ERASMUS+ had a positive effect on the economy and society as a whole, as it promoted tolerance. The EU must help youths not to get involved in radical movements, he added.

This year, young refugees will also be able to take part in order to complete their education. The programme will also help their integration in society, according to Stančič.