Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges 

What are Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges? 

This type of project allows young people to gain experience of international exchange and education (formal and non-formal) without physical mobility, which partly responds to the constraints created by the corona virus pandemics. Projects can be designed independently, or as activities that complement physical mobility in projects in the fields of higher education and youth. 

 

Who can be the participants of virtual exchanges? 

Exchanges should involve participants from the higher education and/or youth sectors. Depending on the project setting, representatives of both sectors or one of them may be involved. Virtual exchanges are established for young people between 13 and 30 years of age. 

 

What are the objectives of this action? 

Projects should strive as much as possible to meet the following objectives (one or more of them): 

• achieving intercultural dialogue with third countries not associated to the Programme and increasing tolerance through online interaction between individuals; 

• encouraging complementarity with Erasmus + physical exchanges, in order to enable as many young people as possible to gain intercultural and international experience; 

• improving critical thinking and media literacy, particularly in the use of internet and social media; 

• fostering the digital and so-called soft skills in students, young people and youth workers 

• promoting values such as civic engagement, freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education; 

• strengthening the youth dimension in the EU’s relations with third countries. 

 

Are there any restrictions on the topic of the project? 

No, applicants have the freedom to choose the topic to be addressed through the project, as long as a clear link can be demonstrated with one of the horizontal priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme (a project can’t include multiple priorities): 

• Inclusion and diversity; 

• Digital transformation; 

• Environment and fight against climate change; 

• Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement. 

 

What activities can be implemented through the project? 

Projects can cover a wide range of online collaborative activities, including, for example: 

• Facilitated discussions among students of higher education institutions from different countries, as an integral part of achieving a diploma of a higher education institution, i.e. through integration into the teaching process; 

• Facilitated discussions among young people and youth organisations from different countries, as part of youth projects; 

• Training of lecturers at higher education institutions or training of youth workers who want to develop virtual exchange projects with organisations from abroad; 

• Interactive open online courses, which may include recorded lessons, lectures, problem solving, etc., but with an emphasis on interaction such as the use of small group forums, which would allow communication between students, lecturers, young people and youth workers. 

 

Who can submit a project application? 

• Public or private organization active in the field of higher education or youth (non-formal education); 

• A higher education institution, association or organisation of higher education institutions, as well as legally recognized national or international rector’s, teachers ‘or students’ organisations. 

The institution submitting the project application on the behalf of all institutions on the project must be from an EU Member State or from one of the third countries associated to the Programme. 

 

What types of organisations can participate in the project? 

Projects are open to organisations from EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme, as well as organisations from the eligible third countries not associated to the Programme.