Capacity building in the field of vocational education and training (VET)

Capacity building projects are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of VET in EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme. They aim to support the relevance, accessibility, and responsiveness of VET institutions and systems in third countries not associated to the Programme as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION

Specifically, the action will:

  • Build capacity of VET providers to strengthen cooperation between private and public stakeholders in the field of vocational education and training for demand-oriented and opportunity-driven VET interventions;
  • Improve the quality and responsiveness of VET to economic and social developments to enhance the labour market relevance of skills provision;
  • Align VET provision to local, regional and national development strategies.
THEMATIC AREAS
  • Proposals should focus on one or more of the following themes:
  • Work-based learning (for young people and/or adults);
  • Quality assurance mechanisms;
  • VET teachers/trainers professional development;
  • Key competences, including entrepreneurship;
  • Public Private Partnerships in VET;
  • Innovation in VET;
  • Green and digital skills for the twin transition;
  • Skills matching with current and future job opportunities.

In addition, the applicant can cover thematic areas that are not presented above. These must demonstrate that they are particularly appropriate to meet the objectives of the call and identified needs.

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

The EU has set a number of targets regarding geographical balance and priorities. In addition, institutions are encouraged to work with partners in the poorest and least developed third countries not associated to the Programme.

The geographical targets set for this action are the following:

  • Western Balkans:
      • Priority will be given to projects that contribute to its Economic and Investment Plan and/or the European Training Foundation recommendations under the Torino process (see above);
      • Mobility of learners (students) and staff (teachers, trainers, directors, managers etc.) will be privileged.
  • Neighbourhood East:
      • Priority will be given to projects that contribute to its Economic and Investment Plan and/or the European Training Foundation recommendations under the Torino process (see above).
  • South-Mediterranean countries:
      • Priority will be given to projects that contribute to its Economic and Investment Plan and/or the European Training Foundation recommendations under the Torino process (see above).
  • Sub-Saharan Africa:
      • Priority will be given to least developed countries; a special emphasis shall also be put on migration priority countries; no country will access more than 8% of funding foreseen for the Region;
      • Priority will be given to projects that contribute to the respective geographic Multi-annual Indicative Programmes295 at country or regional level.
  • Latin America:
      • Priority will be given to regional projects (projects involving more than one eligible third country not associated to the Programme) or projects in lower and upper middle income countries;
      • Priority will be given to projects that contribute to the respective geographic Multi-annual Indicative Programme296 at country or regional level.
  • Caribbean:
      • Priority will be given to regional projects (projects involving more than one eligible third country not associated to the Programme) or projects in least developed, lower and upper middle income countries;
      • Priority will be given to projects that contribute to the respective geographic Multi-annual Indicative Programme297 at country or regional level.

More details regarding funding rules are described in the model Grant Agreement available in the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal (FTOP).

ACTIVITIES

Funded projects will be able to integrate a wide range of cooperation, exchange, communication and other activities including for example:

  • Creating and developing networks and exchanges of good practice between VET providers in third countries not associated to the Programme and in EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme;
  • Creating tools, programmes and other materials to build the capacity of institutions from third countries not associated to the Programme (practical training schemes training programmes and tools for assessing and validating learning outcomes in VET, individual action plans for participating institutions; professional guidance and counselling and coaching methods…);
  • Creating mechanisms to involve the private sector both in the design and delivery of curricula and to provide VET learners with high quality work-based experience;
  • Developing and transferring pedagogical approaches, teaching and training materials and methods, including work based learning, virtual mobility, open educational resources and better exploitation of the ICT potential;
  • Developing and implementing international (virtual) exchange activities for staff primarily (including teachers and non-teaching staff such as school leaders, managers, counsellors, advisors, etc.).
WHO CAN APPLY?

Any public and private organisation active in the VET field and legally established in an EU Member State or eligible third country associated to the Programme. The applicant applies on behalf of all participating organisations involved in the project.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTNERS?

Capacity building projects are transnational and involve at least 4 organisations from minimum 3 countries: At least 1 organisation from 2 different EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme and at least 2 organisations from at least 1 eligible third country not associated to the Programme.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDING RULES?

This action follows a lump sum funding model. The budget should be detailed as necessary by beneficiary/ies and organized in coherent work packages (for example divided into ‘project management’, ‘training’, ‘organisation of events’, ‘mobility preparation and implementation’, ‘communication and dissemination’, ‘quality assurance’, etc.). The EU grant per project will vary from a minimum of 100.000 EUR to a maximum of 400.000 EUR.

DURATION OF THE PROJECT

Projects can last one, two or three years. The duration must be chosen at application stage, based on the objective of the project and on the type of activities foreseen over time.

WHERE TO APPLY?

To the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

WHEN TO APPLY?

Applicants have to submit their grant application by 28 February at 17:00 CET.

Skip to content