INTRODUCTION

This call for proposals is based on the Regulation (EU) No 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union Programme for education, training, youth and sport (1) (hereinafter 'Erasmus+ Regulation') as well as on the 2025 Annual Work Programme of Erasmus+ (C(2024) 7026). The Erasmus+ Programme covers the period 2021 to 2027. The general and specific objectives of Erasmus+ Programme are listed in Article 3 of the Erasmus+ Regulation.

INTRODUCTION

This call for proposals covers the following actions of the Erasmus+ Programme: Key Action 2 (KA2) – Partnership for Innovation – Alliances for innovation

Partnerships for innovation support projects that aim at achieving systemic impact at European level by having the capacity to deploy the project outcomes on a European scale and/or by being able to transfer them into different thematic or geographical contexts. They focus on thematic areas that are strategic for Europe's growth and competitiveness and social cohesion. The following actions are comprised under this type of partnerships: Alliances for innovation

Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe's innovation capacity by boosting innovation through cooperation and flow of knowledge among higher education, vocational education and training (both initial and continuous), and the broader socio-economic environment, including research. They also aim to boost the provision of new skills and address skills mismatches by designing and creating new curricula for higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET), supporting the development of a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mind-sets in the EU.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION

These partnerships shall implement a coherent and comprehensive set of sectoral or cross-sectoral activities, which should be adaptable to future knowledge developments across the EU. To boost innovation, the focus will be on talent and skills development. Firstly, digital competences have become increasingly important in all job profiles across the entire labour market. Secondly, the transition to a circular and greener economy needs to be underpinned by changes to qualifications and national education and training curricula to meet emerging professional needs for green skills and sustainable development. Thirdly, the twin digital and green transition requires an accelerated adoption of new technologies, in particular in the highly innovative deep tech domains, across all sectors of our economy and society

The objectives of Alliances for Innovation can be achieved by applying to one or both of the following Lots (an organisation can be involved in several proposals):
Lot 1: Alliances for Education and Enterprises
Lot 2: Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (implementing the 'Blueprint'353)

In order to be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant, project proposals for Lot 1: Alliances for Education and Enterprises must comply with the following criteria:

Eligible participating organisations (Who can apply?)

The applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities, if applicable) must be: public or private organisations established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme, such as higher education institutions, VET providers, networks of VET providers, small and medium-sized or large enterprises (including social enterprises), research institutes, non-governmental organisations, public bodies at local, regional or national level, organisations active in education, training and youth, intermediaries that represent education, training or youth organisations or enterprises, accreditation, certification, recognition or qualification bodies, chambers of commerce, industry or labour, chambers of skilled crafts, European or national social partners, hospitals or other care institutions, including long-term care, authorities responsible for education, training or employment at regional or national level, employment services, national statistics offices, economic development agencies, sectoral or professional associations, sector skills councils and bodies providing career guidance, professional counselling, information services and employment services.

Organisations from third countries not associated to the Programme in Regions 1 to 3 may also participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities or associated partners, but not as coordinator. Organisations from other third countries not associated to the Programme can only participate as associated partners.

Exception: organisations from Belarus (Region 2)are not eligible to participate in this action.

Higher education institutions established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme must hold a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). An ECHE is not required for participating HEIs in third countries not associated to the Programme.

Consortium composition (Number and profile of participating organisations)

Alliances for Education and Enterprises must cover at least 4 EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme, involving a minimum of 8 applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities). The consortium must include at least 3 labour market actors (enterprises or companies, or representative intermediary organisations, such as chambers, trade unions or trade associations) and at least 3 education and training providers (VET and HEIs), as applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities). There should be at least one HE institution and one VET provider involved as applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) in each proposal.

Affiliated entities and associated partners do not count towards the minimum eligibility criteria for the consortium composition and cannot be coordinators.

Duration of the project

Projects should normally last 24 or 36 months (extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment). The duration has to be chosen at application stage, based on the objective of the project and on the type of activities planned over time.

Where to apply?

To the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Call ID Lot 1: ERASMUS-EDU-2025-PI-ALL-INNO-EDU-ENTERP

In order to be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant, project proposals for Lot 2: Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (implementing the "Blueprint") must comply with the following criteria:

Eligible participating organisations (Who can apply?)

The applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities, if applicable) must be:

· Registered members of the Pact for Skills359

· Public or private organisations legally established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the programme.

Organisations from third countries not associated to the Programme may also participate but only as associated partners. Higher education institutions established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme must hold a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).

Consortium composition (Number and profile of participating organisation)

Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (Blueprint) must cover at least 8 EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme and involve at least 12 applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities). The consortium must include at least 5 labour market actors (enterprises or companies, or representative intermediary organisations, such as chambers, trade unions or trade associations) and at least 5 education and training providers (VET and HEIs) as applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities). There should be at least one HE institution and one VET provider involved as applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) in each proposal.

Affiliated entities and associated partners do not count towards the minimum eligibility criteria for the consortium composition and cannot be coordinator

Duration of the Project

Projects should normally last 48 months (extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment of the grant agreement (GA))

Where to apply

To the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Call ID Lot 2: ERASMUS-EDU-2025-PI-ALL-INNO-BLUEPRINT

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