Footballers, film makers call to save EU Erasmus grants

(BRUSSELS) - Famous Europeans ranging from footballers to philosophers have called on the European Union to save the Erasmus student exchange programme in an open letter ahead of a key EU budget meeting.

Some 100 public figures including former international footballer Lilian Thuram and philosopher Michel Serres of France, Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and British playwright David Hare signed the letter.

It called on EU budget ministers and European Parliament members to protect Erasmus when they meet to discuss the EU budget Friday amid calls for sharp spending cuts.

"The economic crisis has hit Europe's youth very hard," it said. "One in five young Europeans -- more than five million -- are without a job. This cannot continue. We cannot afford a lost generation."

The European Commission has said it needs an extra 8.9 billion euros to make up a 2012 budget shortfall that has undercut Erasmus and other social projects that are all but broke.