The United Kingdom recently announced its rejoining of the Erasmus+ programme, after pushing from the National Campaign for Erasmus+ led by CILL-UK and Intercom. The Our Shared World coalition is proud to have supported this campaign and explored their work in one of our Learning Lunches.
The return of Erasmus+ means fresh opportunities for youth to connect with others in nations across Europe, as well as providing opportunities for organisations in the UK to apply for funding for projects related to the Erasmus+ aims and work.
At the Learning Lunch, we received more questions than we had time to answer around the Erasmus+ programme, so we asked Andrew Hadley (Director, CILL-UK) to share his understanding.
1. What is Erasmus+ and what is its purpose?
The EU programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport. Many people think it is only a university programme but this is completely untrue. It provides funding for all kinds of projects across every sector of education and beyond. Not only Key Action 1 (mobility projects such as youth exchanges, staff training, student placements etc) but also Key Action 2 (partnerships between organisations in different countries, which might be about capacity building, CPD, development of new curricula, materials or methodologies, production of handbooks and more).
2. Who can apply for funding and projects?
Almost any legally registered organisation – colleges, schools, youth organisations, NGOs and charities, local authorities, sports clubs – even private companies and (for certain types of project) informal groups of young people.
3. What age groups can get involved with Erasmus+?
This depends on the type of project. Typically, for youth exchanges 13-30; for youth worker training, any age over 18; for vocational training, 16-30; for e-Twinning, primary and secondary school age; etc.
4. How do young people get involved with the Erasmus+ programme?
Through their youth group, school, college, university or other organisation. Normally individual young people themselves do not apply for funding (the exceptions being university students, who apply to their own universities for funds to study abroad; and Discover EU, where 18-year olds can apply for one month free travel around Europe). Almost all grants are for projects, and are applied for by organisations.
5. Can freelance consultants apply on behalf of organisations?
Officially, they cannot. Unofficially, many organisations work with consultants but they still have to take full responsibility for the final application and only the organisation’s legal representative can sign off an application. Organisations may also bring in external experts / trainers on their projects.
6. Are there limitations on the partner countries or organisations you can work with?
You can always work with EU member states and “countries associated to the programme” (which is what the UK will be). Then depending on the type of project, you can have 3rd country partners in other regions (Erasmus Plus designates a total of 14 regions). Most commonly, regions 1 (Western Balkans), 2 (Easter partnership i.e. Ukraine, Georgia etc) and 3 (southern Mediterranean – Middle East & N. Africa).
7. Can you connect people from the same area, or interested in a similar theme for collaboration?
Yes.
8. Does a previous registration/PIC number still stand for this next year?
For Erasmus Plus, you need an OID number (this is different to a PIC, which still applies to other EU programmes). If you had an OID previously, it will still be valid. Otherwise you need to complete a new registration via the EU Login portal.
7. Can you be a partner in more than one Erasmus+ bid?
Yes. Any one organisation can lead and/or be a partner in up to 5 project applications per Key Action per deadline.
Looking to get stuck in? The Our Shared World co-chairs have created a shared Padlet for you to connect with other organisations, share ideas and build networks. Explore this here.
Want to learn more about Our Shared World and Erasmus+? Visit our Erasmus+ website page here!
by Andrew Hadley, Director of CILL-UK and Our Shared World Member
Questions from OSW Members and Learning Lunch Attendees
