2023 Erasmus+ Call for Proposals Now launched- Irish Organisations Invited to Apply

Deadline: 28-Feb-23

Léargas is delighted to invite bodies active in the fields of education, training, youth and sport to apply for funding within the Erasmus+ Programme.

In addition, groups of young people who are active in youth work, but not necessarily in the context of a youth organisation, can apply for funding for the learning mobility of young people.

In 2023 the Erasmus+ flagship feature will be mobility, and the programme will continue to support the movement of school pupils, higher education and vocational education and training (VET) students, adult learners, young people in non-formal learning programmes, educators and staff across borders and towards a European educational and training experience.

Objectives

• As of 2023, the programme will feature a new action to support sports coaches through participation in mobility projects, extending opportunities for cross-European cooperation and learning directly to local grassroots sports organisations and their staff.
• The general objective of the Programme is to support, through lifelong learning, the educational, professional and personal development of people in education, training, youth and sport, in Europe and beyond, thereby contributing to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion, to driving innovation, and to strengthening European identity and active citizenship. As such, the Programme shall be a key instrument for building a European Education Area, supporting the implementation of the European strategic cooperation in the field of education and training, with its underlying sectoral agendas. In addition, it is key in advancing youth policy cooperation under the European Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and developing the European dimension in sport.
• Specific Objectives
  • The Programme has the following specific objectives:
    • Promote learning mobility of individuals and groups, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training;
    • Promote non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth;
    • Promote learning mobility of sport staff, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies.

Priorities

• Inclusion And Diversity: The Programme seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion, diversity and fairness across all its actions. Organisations and the participants with fewer opportunities themselves are at the heart of these objectives and with these in mind, the programme puts mechanisms and resources at their disposal. When designing their projects and activities, organisations should have an inclusive approach, making them accessible to a diverse range of participants.
• Digital Transformation: The COVID-19 pandemic shed further light on the importance of digital education for the digital transformation that Europe needs. In particular, it emphasised the increased need to harness the potential of digital technologies for teaching and learning and to develop digital skills for all. In line with the strategic priorities of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027)5 , the Programme aims to support this endeavour to engage learners, educators, youth workers, young people and organisations in the path to digital transformation.
• Environment And Fight Against Climate Change: Environment and climate action are key priorities for the EU now and in the future. The European Green Deal Communication6 is the European new growth strategy and recognises the key role of schools, training institutions and universities to engage with pupils, parents, and the wider community on the changes needed for a successful transition to become climate neutral by 2050.
• Participation In Democratic Life, Common Values And Civic Engagement: The Erasmus+ Programme addresses the citizens’ limited participation in its democratic processes and their lack of knowledge about the European Union, and tries to help them overcome the difficulties in actively engaging and participating in their communities or in the Union’s political and social life. Strengthening citizens’ understanding of the European Union from an early age is crucial for the Union’s future.

Funding Information

• The Programme has an overall indicative financial envelope of more than 26 billion EUR14 of the EU Budget for the seven years (2021-2027). The annual budget is adopted by the Budgetary Authority.

Eligible Countries

• EU Member States participate fully in all actions of the Erasmus+ Programme. In addition, in accordance with article 19 of the Erasmus+ Regulation, the following third countries are associated to the programme:
  • Members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA): Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein;
  • Acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates: Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Türkiye and Republic of Serbia;
  • The EU Member States and the third countries associated to the programme will be hereafter called “EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme”.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals constitute the main target population of the Programme. The Programme reaches these individuals mainly through organisations, institutions, bodies or groups that organise such activities. The conditions of access to the Programme therefore relate to these two actors: the “participants ” (individuals taking part in Erasmus+ project activities and who may receive part of the EU grant intended to cover their costs of participation) and the “participating organisations” (including informal groups of young people involved in an Erasmus+ project, as either applicants or partners and self-employed persons). For both participants and participating organisations, the conditions for participation depend on the country in which they are based.

Participants In Erasmus+ Project Activities

• As a general rule, participants in Erasmus+ projects must be established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme. Some Actions, notably in the fields of higher education, vocational education and training, youth and sport, are also open to participants from third countries not associated to the Programme. The specific conditions for participating in an Erasmus+ project depend on the type of Action concerned. In general terms, the main target groups are:
• For projects relevant for the field of higher education, the main targets are: higher education students (short cycle, first, second or third cycle), higher education teachers and professors, staff of higher education institutions, trainers and professionals in enterprises;
• For projects relevant for the field of vocational education and training, the main targets are: apprentices and students in vocational education and training, professionals and trainers in vocational education and training, staff of initial vocational education and training organisations, trainers and professionals in enterprises;
• For projects relevant for the field of school education, the main targets are: school leaders, school teachers and school staff, pupils in pre-primary, primary and secondary education;
• For projects relevant for the field of adult education, the main targets are: members of non-vocational adult education organisations, trainers, staff and learners in non-vocational adult education;
• For projects relevant for the youth field the main targets are: young people from 13 to 3018, youth workers, staff and members of organisations active in the youth field;
• For projects relevant to the field of sport, the main targets are: professionals and volunteers in the field of sport, athletes and coaches.

Participating Organisations

• Erasmus+ projects are submitted and implemented by participating organisations. If a project is selected, the applicant organisation becomes a beneficiary of an Erasmus+ grant. Beneficiaries sign a grant agreement which entitles them to receive financial support for the implementation of their project.
• As a general rule, organisations participating in Erasmus+ projects must be established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme. Some Actions are also open to participating organisations from third countries not associated to the Programme, notably in the field of higher education, vocational education and training, youth and sport.
• The specific conditions for participating in an Erasmus+ project depend on the type of Action supported by the Programme. In general terms, the Programme is open to any organisation active in the fields of education, training, youth or sport. Several Actions are also open to the participation of other players in the labour market.

For more information, visit European Commission.