Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s biggest programme for education, training, youth and sport, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and diversity. It offers opportunities for learning mobility and cooperation in various fields, such as school education, vocational education and training, higher education, adult education and youth. The programme is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, including young people, pupils, students, graduates, adult learners, teaching and administrative staff, schools, higher education institutions, adult education providers, NGOs, companies, institutes, social partners, cultural and sports organisations, local and regional bodies and other public and private institutions active in the fields of education, training, youth and sport.
Activities supported by the programme include study, teaching and training periods abroad, courses, traineeships, exchanges, job shadowing, youth activities etc. These activities provide opportunities for participants from diverse backgrounds to learn, grow and exchange experiences. Organisations can develop and implement innovative practices at organisational, local, regional, national or European levels to promote inclusion and diversity in their projects.
The Erasmus+ programme is divided into Key Actions. To find out more about Key Action 1 Learning mobility of individuals, Key Action 2 Cooperation partnerships and others and choose the Action that suits your project best, explore the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. To join Erasmus+, interested organisations apply for funding through their national agencies, which are in charge of implementing the programme. For more information about Erasmus+ in general, please visit the official Erasmus+ website or contact the national agency in your country.
Inclusion and Diversity in Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is committed to promoting inclusion and diversity in all its funding opportunities. Whether you’re looking to make your project more inclusive or you’re an organisation working with persons with fewer opportunities, the programme offers a range of support mechanisms to help you succeed.
If you’re a participant with fewer opportunities, you may be eligible for additional financial assistance to support your supplementary costs, such as subsistence, travel arrangements, accompanying persons etc. Your organisation and your partners can also plan preparatory visits to help make all the necessary mobility arrangements, with additional funding available to cover the expenses.
For organisations new to the programme or with less experience that aim to implement inclusive projects, smaller and simpler project formats are available, including shorter hybrid or online mobilities designed for those unable or reluctant to spend a longer period abroad.
If you’re interested in setting up a project that deals with the topic of inclusion and diversity, Erasmus+ also offers the opportunity to develop cooperation partnership projects that focus on development of new and innovative methods and approaches that help improve the lives of underprivileged and hard-to-reach groups.
To expand your knowledge about inclusion and diversity, develop new ideas, share best practices and find inclusive-minded partners for your project, check out the international trainings and contact seminars offered by national agencies across Europe. These events offer a great opportunity for networking, exploring international cooperation and Erasmus+ opportunities. They are open to both Erasmus+ newcomers and experienced organisations. For more information visit the official website of the SALTO Education and Training TCA Resource Centre.
Inclusion Officers – helping build a more inclusive Erasmus+
Inclusion officers work at national agencies for Erasmus+ and provide guidance and assistance to organisations interested in implementation of inclusive-minded projects. These officers promote Erasmus+ opportunities and mechanisms, support and organise events that promote inclusion and diversity, collect and share best practice examples and they can help your organisation throughout the process of implementing your project. The role of the SALTO Resource Centre for Inclusion and Diversity in Education and Training is to offer a variety of resources (trainings, guidelines, e-courses etc.) to help Inclusion Officers build their capacity and acquire the skills necessary to enhance the inclusive dimension of Erasmus+ in their countries.
