Erasmus+, the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport, offers a wide range of opportunities for students, teachers, schools and organizations across Europe. Built around the idea of promoting mobility and international education, this initiative has opened the door to unique learning experiences that extend far beyond national borders.
A General Overview of Erasmus+
Erasmus+ was first launched in 1987 and has continued to grow and develop ever since. The programme aims to support cooperation between European countries through several Key Actions, each with its own specific objectives.
The Key Actions of the Erasmus+ Programme
The following sections outline the programme’s different Key Actions and the types of projects available to schools and higher education institutions.
1. Key Action 1 – Learning Mobility of Individuals
- Higher Education Mobility: University students can take part in study exchanges abroad at partner institutions. Similarly, academic staff can teach or receive training in a partner country.
- Mobility for Learners and Staff in Vocational Education and Training (VET): This action supports vocational education and training providers and other organizations active in the VET sector that wish to organize learning mobility activities for VET learners and staff.
A wide range of activities is supported, including job shadowing and professional development courses for staff, traineeships and long-term placements through ErasmusPro, meetings with experts and many other opportunities.
- Mobility for Pupils and Staff in School Education: School pupils can take part in cultural and educational exchanges abroad. School staff can teach, receive training or participate in school development projects in another European country.
Staff Mobility
Available activities include:
- Job shadowing, lasting from 2 to 60 days
- Teaching assignments, lasting from 2 to 365 days
- Courses and training, lasting from 2 to 30 days, with course fees limited to a maximum of 10 days per participant
All physical staff mobility activities can be combined with virtual activities. The minimum and maximum durations listed above apply to the physical mobility component.
Job shadowing: Participants can spend a period of time at a host organization in another country. The aim is to acquire new practices and gather fresh ideas by observing and interacting with peers, experts or other professionals during their daily work at the host organization.
Teaching or training assignments: Participants can spend a period of time teaching or providing training to learners at a host organization in another country. This allows them to learn through the performance of their own professional duties and by exchanging knowledge and experiences with their peers.
Courses and training: Participants can attend a structured course or a similar form of training delivered by qualified professionals and based on a predefined learning programme and learning outcomes. The training must involve participants from at least two different countries and give them the opportunity to interact with other learners and trainers.
Learner Mobility
Available activities include:
- Group mobility for school pupils, lasting from 2 to 30 days and involving at least two pupils per group
- Short-term learning mobility for pupils, lasting from 10 to 29 days
- Long-term learning mobility for pupils, lasting from 30 to 365 days
Group mobility for school pupils: A group of pupils from a sending school can spend a learning period together with pupils in another country. The sending school must design the learning activities in cooperation with a partner school in the host country.
Short-term learning mobility for pupils: Pupils can spend a period studying abroad at a partner school or complete a traineeship at another relevant organization abroad. An individual learning programme must be defined for each participant.
Long-term learning mobility for pupils: Pupils can spend an extended period studying abroad at a partner school or complete a traineeship at another relevant organization abroad. An individual learning programme must be defined for each participant. All participants must receive mandatory pre-departure training, and additional financial resources are provided for organizational and linguistic support.
- Youth Mobility: This action provides mobility opportunities for young people between the ages of 13 and 30, encouraging active participation and non-formal education.
2. Key Action 2 – Cooperation Among Organizations and Institutions
- Cooperation Partnerships: These initiatives promote cooperation among organizations working in education, training and youth. Their purpose is to develop innovative projects, products or tools that improve the quality of education and training, as well as to develop, test and disseminate innovative educational and training practices.
Partnerships can also be implemented on a smaller scale for organizations with less experience in the sector. These Small-scale Partnerships involve lower funding requests, with grants of up to €60,000.
3. Key Action 3 – Support to Policy Development and Cooperation
- Support to Policy Development and Cooperation: This action focuses on activities supporting the modernization and reform of policies in education, training, youth and sport. It includes studies, analyses and the development of recommendations.
4. Jean Monnet Actions
- Jean Monnet Modules: Specific projects dedicated to teaching and research on European Union topics in higher education.
- Jean Monnet Chairs: These actions support the establishment of university teaching posts designed to promote excellence in teaching and research on European issues.
- Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence: These initiatives focus on creating networks of institutions working together to promote study and research on European topics.
- Jean Monnet Learning EU Initiatives for Schools: These activities promote an understanding of the European Union among young people through courses, seminars and educational initiatives.
5. Sport
- Transnational Cooperation in Sport: This action supports projects that promote cooperation between countries in the field of sport, addressing issues such as physical education, social inclusion through sport and the fight against doping.
- European Sporting Events: These initiatives support the organization of European sporting events that promote friendship and integration through sport.
- Sport for All: This action promotes physical activity and sport as tools for improving health and social inclusion.
Erasmus Accreditation
Accreditation is a process that allows educational institutions to receive official recognition to participate in the Erasmus+ programme. Accreditation is awarded by the National Agency of the country in which the institution is based.
Accreditation confirms that the institution has demonstrated its ability to manage and coordinate mobility activities effectively. This includes ensuring the quality of international experiences for students and staff, as well as providing appropriate administrative and financial support.
Organizations holding an Erasmus Accreditation in the field of school education can apply for funding through a dedicated funding stream reserved specifically for accredited institutions.
Applications are based on the previously approved Erasmus Plan. As a result, institutions do not need to submit a detailed list and description of all planned activities when requesting funding. Instead, applications focus primarily on the estimated budget required for the upcoming activities.
Priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme
The priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme for 2021–2027 include innovation, digitalization, the promotion of employability, inclusive mobility, environmental sustainability and active citizenship.
The Erasmus+ Programme Guide provides detailed information about the priorities established for each sector and Key Action.
Italian National Agencies Involved
Erasmus+ is managed at national level through specifically designated agencies. In Italy, the main role in the education and training sectors is entrusted to the Erasmus+ National Agency INDIRE.
This agency works closely with the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research to promote and facilitate the participation of Italian schools in the programme.
Benefits and Opportunities for Schools
Erasmus+ offers several important advantages for schools, making it an attractive programme for educators, students and professionals working in the education sector.
Some of its main benefits include:
- Internationalization of education: Erasmus+ enables schools to offer international educational experiences to their students. This encourages greater cultural openness, intercultural awareness and a more global perspective among pupils.
- Professional development for teachers: Teachers can participate in training courses abroad to improve their pedagogical and methodological skills. They can then share the knowledge and experience they have gained with their colleagues, contributing to the overall quality of teaching within their school.
- Creation of European partnerships: Schools can collaborate with educational institutions in other European countries to develop joint projects and share resources. These partnerships can create new learning opportunities for students.
- Curriculum development: Erasmus+ allows schools to enrich their curricula with new content, innovative teaching approaches and high-quality educational materials.
Conclusion
Erasmus+ is an extraordinary programme that opens the door to a world of opportunities for schools. It promotes international education, supports the development of teachers’ skills and strengthens connections between educational institutions across Europe.
With our support and guidance, schools can make the most of this programme and offer their students a high-quality education that reaches far beyond national borders.
Do not hesitate to contact us for further information on how to begin your Erasmus+ journey.
Discover Our Funded Erasmus+ Projects
Take a look at Paidea’s funded Erasmus+ projects and learn more about our European experiences and partnerships.