What is the Erasmus+ Program?
General Structure
The Erasmus+ Program is a new program implemented by the European Union to replace the Lifelong Learning and Youth Programs applied between 2007 and 2013. While it is primarily based on project activities, it also includes individual activities.
Objectives of the Erasmus+ Program
The Erasmus+ Program aims to provide individuals with new skills, strengthen their personal development, and increase employment opportunities regardless of their age and educational background during the 2014-2020 period. The program covers education, training, youth, and sports. The main reason for naming it "Erasmus+" is to benefit from the recognition of the previous Erasmus program, which is strongly associated with studying abroad and European cooperation.
What Changes with Erasmus+ Program?
While the Erasmus+ Program does not differ greatly in terms of fundamental objectives and activities from the existing program, it includes certain changes aimed at enhancing effectiveness, simplifying implementation, and reducing complexity. The innovations introduced by the Erasmus+ Program include:
- The consolidation of the Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig programs under the Lifelong Learning Programs, along with the Youth Program and five international cooperation programs (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink, and the Industrialized Countries Cooperation Program) into one program. This simplifies application rules and procedures, eliminating fragmentation and redundancies.
- The introduction of a grant guarantee program to support master's degree graduates in continuing their education abroad and acquiring the skills needed to work in knowledge-intensive jobs.
- The continuation of previous cooperation with industrialized countries in higher education, now expanded to include the youth sector, and the broadening of eligible cooperation countries (for detailed information on eligible countries, please refer to the Erasmus+ Program Guide).
- Opportunities for large-scale partnerships aimed at increasing creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship between higher education institutions and workplaces, along with partnerships (Sectoral Skills Partnerships) focused on innovative vocational training methods to enhance employability.
- Strengthened mobility and partnership opportunities, particularly for higher education/vocational training students, teachers, trainers, and youth workers, with increased grant opportunities.
Areas Supported by the Erasmus+ Program
Supported activities within the Erasmus+ Program are primarily grouped under three Key Actions (KA) and two Specific Actions:
- Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals
- Key Action 2: Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices
- Key Action 3: Support for Policy Reform
- Specific Action 1: Support for Sports
- Specific Action 2: Jean Monnet Program
Summary of Key Actions
KEY ACTION 1: LEARNING MOBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS The Erasmus+ Program provides learning opportunities for over 5 million individuals within and outside the EU. Activities promoting learning mobility can take the following forms:
- Education
- Study/Teaching
- Internships
- Professional development
- Non-formal learning-based youth activities
- Volunteering
In higher education, beneficiaries from program countries will have the opportunity to study and teach at higher education institutions anywhere in Europe or beyond. This creates a favorable environment for increasing interest in higher education in Europe and developing higher education in countries outside Europe. For detailed information, please refer to the Erasmus+ Program Guide.
KEY ACTION 2: COOPERATION FOR INNOVATION AND THE EXCHANGE OF GOOD PRACTICES Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices allows for the establishment of institutional partnerships between educational institutions, youth organizations, the business world, local/regional authorities, and civil society organizations in the context of education, training, and youth activities. Through these partnerships, the aim is to develop innovative practices and foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and employability.
Partnerships can be classified as country-based or central activities:
- Country-based activities are projects managed by the national agency in the applicant's country.
- Central activities are projects where applications are submitted to the Executive Agency of the European Commission in Brussels.
Among the following activities, "Strategic Partnerships" are country-based, while "Sectoral Skills Partnerships" and "Knowledge Partnerships" are central activities. The three project types under Key Action 2 can be summarized as follows:
- Strategic Partnerships Applications for Strategic Partnerships are submitted to local national agencies, supporting strategic cooperation and partnership projects among institutions from program member countries to develop, transfer, and/or implement innovative practices at the local/regional, national, or international level.
These projects aim to:
- Facilitate the development and transfer of innovative and model practices among schools, local/regional school administrations, teacher training institutions, and other institutions in different countries.
- Strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions and key stakeholders (businesses, research institutions, social partners, local/regional governments, and other education and youth sectors) to promote quality and innovation in higher education.
- Support EU efforts and developments in higher education policies to create a systematic impact at a higher level.
- Enable transnational cooperation between vocational education providers and local/regional businesses.
- Ensure that vocational education systems respond effectively to the specific labor market needs of sectors, contributing to increased economic competitiveness.
- Provide quality educational opportunities for adults and meet the learning needs of adult education providers.
- Contribute to the development of national policies and dialogue among EU countries on adult education and training.
- Promote cooperation and exchanges in the youth field between open countries and countries around the world (ACP, Latin America, Asia, industrialized countries).
- Develop EU-level Youth Policy Cooperation and create the EU Youth Strategy while promoting systematic communication.
- Sectoral Skills Partnerships These are central activities aimed at enhancing the ability of vocational education systems to meet sector-specific skill needs and new skill demands related to one or more vocational fields. Relevant sectors include:
- Sectors forming the European Sectoral Skills Councils, such as textiles, clothing, leather, and trade.
- Sectors with skill mismatches that the European Commission is currently addressing, such as advanced manufacturing, Information and Communication Technologies, and eco-innovation (environmental technologies).
- Cultural and creative industries.
Sectoral Skills Partnerships must involve at least 9 participating organizations from at least 3 program countries, including two from EU member states. Project durations may vary from 2 to 3 years.
- Knowledge Partnerships Knowledge Partnerships aim to bridge higher education and the business world through international, structured, and results-oriented projects. These partnerships seek to enhance innovation and strengthen Europe's innovation capacity. The three core characteristics of Knowledge Partnerships are:
- Innovation in higher education
- Sustainability between universities and the business world
- Strengthening the impact generated during and after the project
Participants in Knowledge Partnerships can include any official or private institution in program or partner countries. At least 6 organizations from 3 different program countries must be involved, including a minimum of 2 higher education institutions and at least 2 businesses. Project durations may vary from 2 to 3 years. Applications for Knowledge Partnerships, being central activities, must be submitted directly to the Executive Agency of the European Commission in Brussels.
KEY ACTION 3: SUPPORT FOR POLICY REFORM
Support for Policy Reform promotes evidence-based policymaking and the sharing of good practices. This Key Action aims to support policy reform in EU member countries and facilitate cooperation and sharing of good practices with non-EU countries.
In addition to the programs mentioned above, the Erasmus+ Program also implements specific actions such as Support for Sports and the Jean Monnet Program.
SPECIFIC ACTION 1: SUPPORT FOR SPORTS
The general aim of Support for Sports is to systematically contribute to the development of the European sports dimension. The following sports-related activities can be supported under the Erasmus+ Program:
- Collaborative partnerships in the field of sports
- Non-profit sports events
All public institutions and non-profit organizations from program countries can apply for Collaborative Partnerships. At least 5 different organizations from 5 different program countries must participate in the project. Project durations may vary from 12 to 36 months, with grant amounts reaching up to €500,000.
For non-profit sports events, at least 12 different public institutions and non-profit organizations related to sports from program countries can apply. The project duration is 1 year, and grant amounts can reach up to €2,000,000.
Since Sports Support is a central activity, applications must be submitted directly to the Executive Agency of the European Commission in Brussels.
SPECIFIC ACTION 2: JEAN MONNET PROGRAM
The Jean Monnet Program aims to support higher education institutions in the field of European integration. The following activities can be supported under the Jean Monnet Program:
- Jean Monnet Academic Modules (teaching and research)
- Jean Monnet Chairs (teaching and research)
- Jean Monnet Centers of Excellence (teaching and research)
- Support for Organizations and Associations
- Jean Monnet Networks (policy discussions with the academic community)
- Jean Monnet Projects (policy discussions with the academic community)
As a central activity, applications for the Jean Monnet Program must be submitted directly to the Executive Agency of the European Commission in Brussels.
Who Can Benefit from the Erasmus+ Program?
The target audience of the Erasmus+ Program can be summarized as follows:
- In higher education: university students, academics, and higher education staff
- In vocational education: vocational school students, apprentices, professionals, educators, and those working in vocational education
- In school education: primary and secondary education students, school leaders, teachers, and school staff
- In adult education: learners, educators, and members and staff of adult education institutions
- In the youth field: young people aged 13-30, youth workers, and members and staff of youth organizations
In summary, individuals of all ages and backgrounds, as well as institutions at all levels, can benefit from the program.
Countries Participating in the Erasmus+ Program
With the Erasmus+ Program, the number and geography of countries for collaboration are expanding. Depending on the type of activity, cooperation may be possible with the following countries:
- 28 EU member countries (Germany, Austria