Introduction

Erasmus+ is the EU framework programme for education, training, youth and sport. The programme aims to boost skills and employability, as well as modernising education, training and youth work. Erasmus+ is designed to support programme countries' efforts to efficiently use the potential of Europe's talent and social assets in a lifelong learning perspective, linking support to formal, non-formal and informal learning throughout the education, training and youth fields. The Programme promotes also the creation of European networks, providing opportunities for cooperation among stakeholders in different areas relating to sport and physical activity. The Programme supports actions, cooperation and tools consistent with the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and its flagship initiatives, such as Youth on the Move and the Agenda for new skills and jobs. This investment in knowledge, skills and competences benefits individuals, institutions, organisations and society as a whole by contributing to growth and ensuring equity, prosperity and social inclusion in Europe and beyond.

Objectives of the call

The call supports transnational partnerships among education, training and youth organisations to foster cooperation and bridge the worlds of education and work in order to tackle the skills gaps Europe is currently facing.

The call aims also at promoting equity and inclusion by facilitating the access to participants with disadvantaged backgrounds and fewer opportunities whenever disadvantage limits or prevents participation in transnational activities for reasons such as: a) disability; b) economic obstacles: people with a low standard of living, low income, dependence on social welfare system or homeless; c) health problems: people with chronic health problems, severe illnesses or psychiatric conditions; d) social obstacles: people facing discrimination because of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.; people with limited social skills or anti-social or risky behaviours; people in a precarious situation; (ex-)offenders, (ex-)drug or alcohol abusers.

Structure of the call

The call for proposals covers the following actions:

- Key action 1: MOBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS

Projects will fund periods of mobility both within the EU and beyond, including: study and training, traineeships, teaching and professional development of staff and non-formal youth activities such as volunteering. The mobility concerns all the educational levels: school education, university, vocational education and training, adult education. Grant: lump-sums to cover travels and organizational support; real costs related to the support of people with special needs, such as persons with disabilities, are fully covered.

This Key Action supports:

-       Mobility of learners and staff: opportunities for students, trainees, young people and volunteers, as well as for professors, teachers, trainers, youth workers, staff of education institutions and civil society organisations to undertake a learning and/or professional experience in another country;

-       Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees: high-level integrated international study programmes delivered by consortia of higher education institutions that award full degree scholarships to the best master students worldwide;

-       Erasmus+ Master Loans: higher education students from Programme Countries can apply for a loan backed up by the Programme to go abroad for a full Master Degree. Students should address themselves to national banks or student loan agencies participating in the scheme.

Deadlines

a) Mobility of individuals in the field of education and training---Deadline: 2 February 2017

b) Mobility of individuals in the field of youth---Deadline: 2 February 2017

c) Mobility of individuals in the field of youth---Deadline: 26 April 2017

d) Mobility of individuals in the field of youth---Deadline: 4 October 2017

e) Strategic European Voluntary Service projects---Deadline: 26 April 2017

f) Large-scale European Voluntary Service events---Deadline: 5 April 2017

g) Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees---Deadline: 16 February 2017

- Key action 2: COOPERATION FOR INNOVATION AND THE EXCHANGE OF GOOD PRACTICES

Projects aiming to develop and implement innovative practices in education, training and youth and to promote employability, creativity and entrepreneurship.

This Key Action supports:

-       Transnational Strategic Partnerships aimed to develop initiatives addressing one or more fields of education training and youth and promote innovation, exchange of experience and know-how between different types of organisations involved in education, training and youth or in other relevant fields. Certain mobility activities are supported in so far as they contribute to the objectives of the project;

-       Knowledge Alliances between higher education institutions and enterprises which aim to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, employability, knowledge exchange and/or multidisciplinary teaching and learning;

-       Sector Skills Alliances supporting the design and delivery of joint vocational training curricula, programmes and teaching and training methodologies, drawing on evidence of trends in a specific economic sector and skills needed in order to perform in one or more professional fields;

-       Capacity-building projects supporting cooperation with Partner Countries in the fields of higher education and youth. Capacity-building projects aim to support organisations/institutions and systems in their modernization and internationalisation process. Certain types of capacity-building projects support mobility activities in so far as they contribute to the objectives of the project;

-       IT support platforms, such as eTwinning, the School Education Gateway, the European Platform for Adult Learning (EPALE) and the European Youth Portal, offering virtual collaboration spaces, databases of opportunities, communities of practice and other online services for teachers, trainers and practitioners in the field of school and adult education as well as for young people, volunteers and youth workers across Europe and beyond.

Deadlines

Strategic partnerships in the field of education and training---Deadline: 29 March 2017

Strategic partnerships in the field of youth---Deadline: 2 February 2017

Strategic partnerships in the field of youth---Deadline: 26 April 2017

Strategic partnerships in the field of youth---Deadline: 4 October 2017

Knowledge Alliances---Deadline: 28 February 2017

Capacity building in the field of higher education---Deadline: 9 February 2017

Capacity building in the field of youth: Deadline---8 March 2017

- Key action 3: Meeting between young people and decision-makers in the field of youth

Structured Dialogue aims to promote the active participation of young people in democratic life and foster debate around the major issues affecting youth. Specifically, these activities aim to bring young people and decision makers into discussion to help develop policies in the sector, notably the EU Youth Strategy.

Deadlines: 2 February 2017; 26 April 2017; 4 October 2017

- Jean Monnet actions: Chairs, modules, centres of excellence, support to associations, networks, projects

Deadline: 3 February 2017

Sport actions:  Collaborative partnerships, Small collaborative partnerships and Not-for-profit European sport events

Deadline: 6 April 2017

Eligible applicants

The projects can be submitted by: social partners, public authorities, international organisations, non-profit making organisations, profit-making organisations, research centres, institutes and universities, training and educational organisations, youth and sport organisations.

Eligible countries

The programme is open to organisations from all over the world.

More information at

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/calls-for-proposals-tenders/2016-eac-a03_en