Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training

These projects aim to support the development, transfer, and implementation of innovative practices as well as the implementation of joint initiatives promoting cooperation, peer learning and exchanges of experience at European level. Results developed within these partnerships should be re-usable, transferable, up-scalable and, if possible, have a strong transdisciplinary dimension.

What are the objectives of these projects?

Some of the main objectives are:

  • Increasing quality in the work, activities and practices of organisations and institutions involved, opening up to new actors, not naturally included within one sector;
  • Building capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors;
  • Addressing common needs and priorities in a given field;
  • Enabling transformation and change (at individual, organisational or sectoral level), leading to improvements and new approaches, in proportion to the context of each organisation.
Who can participate in the project?

Any public or private organisation from an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme* or third country not associated to the Programme** can participate in the project. Different participants are encouraged to take part in accordance with the set priorities and goals of the project.

*Third countries associated to the Programme are Serbia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Turkey.

**Third countries not associated to the Programme are all other world countries. 

Who can submit an application?

The applicant organisation, i.e. the project coordinator, can be any organisation from a Programme Country which participates in the project. One consortium can submit only one application per selection round at the level of all national agencies.

Is there a specific number of partner organisations on the project?

A consortium must include at least three organisations from three different EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme. There is no maximum number of participating organisations in one partnership.

As a general rule, Cooperation Partnerships target the cooperation between organisations established in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme. However, organisations from third countries not associated to the Programme can be involved as partners (not as applicants), if their participation brings an essential added value to the project.

Can additional partners be included without a formal connection to the project?

In addition to full partners, which are formally included in the project (the coordinator and partner institutions), other organisations may be involved to contribute to the implementation of specific project tasks/activities or support the promotion and sustainability of the project. These partners will be called “associated partners” and their involvement in the project and in needs to be clearly described in the project proposal. However, they do not have a contractual obligation and are not financed through the Erasmus+ Programme for these activities.

What is the duration of the projects?

Projects can last from 12 to 36 months and the duration is chosen by the applicant at the application stage.

Where to apply?

Applications are submitted to the National Agency in charge of implementing the Erasmus+ Programme in the country of the applicant organisation. If you are applying in Serbia, the application should be submitted to the Foundation Tempus. The applications are submitted electronically through a prescribed online form on the platform.

Exception: If the applicant is a European NGO and the project proposal is in the field of education, training and youth, the application should be submitted to the Executive Agency in Brussels.

The term European NGO refers to formally recognised organisations composed of a European body/secretariat legally established for at least one year in an EU Member state or third country associated to the Programme and of national organisations/branches in at least nine EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme.

What are the funding rules for this type of project?

The total grant amount that can be awarded to cooperation partnerships that are supported by national agencies is in the form of lump sums of 120 000, 250 000, or 400 000 EUR.

For cooperation partnerships supported by the Executive Agency, the financial support is awarded in the form of lump sums of 120 000, 250 000 or 400 000 EUR.

When to apply?

The 2023 call for proposals in the field of education, training and youth, including projects in the field of vocational education and training, which are submitted to the national agencies will be open until 22 March 2023 at 12 (midday Brussels time).

The 2023 call for proposals in the field of education, training and youth coordinated by European NGOs that are submitted to the Executive Agency in Brussels will be open until 22 March 2023 at 17 (Brussels time).

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