Highlights from the seventh ASEE Breakfast Meeting
Could Erasmus+ fund your next project? At our seventh Breakfast Meeting, members heard how the EU’s flagship programme for education and training works, and how to write an application with a real chance of success.
Erasmus+ at a glance
Erasmus+ supports learning mobility and international cooperation across training organisations, employers, apprentices and adult learners. Fiona Horrell and Lianne Coleman of the British Council gave an overview of the programme, with a seven-year budget of €26.2 billion. They also shared that the UK is rejoining Erasmus+ for 2027, with the British Council confirmed as its national agency. Priorities include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environmental sustainability and civic participation.
Two main routes to funding
- Key Action 1: mobility. Funding for learners and staff to gain experience abroad, through group or individual placements, job shadowing, teaching abroad and training courses. For adult learners, a stay can be as short as two days, which recognises barriers such as caring responsibilities. Preparatory visits can also be funded, helping organisations find the right partners and destinations.
- Key Action 2: partnerships and innovation. Funding for organisations that want to collaborate and innovate. Small-scale partnerships (€30,000 or €60,000) are a good first step, while larger cooperation projects (up to €400,000) bring together at least three organisations from different countries and aim for greater impact. An organisation can be involved in several projects at once.
Tips for a strong application
Valentina Brecelj of the University Rehabilitation Institute of Slovenia shared practical advice from experience. Applications are assessed on relevance, quality, partnership and impact. Her key tips:
- Start early. Agree on the problem and target groups first, and test your idea with stakeholders.
- Build on evidence. Combine research, your own data and stakeholder consultation to show the need.
- Be specific. Set clear (SMART) objectives, explain why each partner is needed, and name who will use, maintain and fund each result after the project ends.
- Plan beyond “we’ll use social media”. Say who you will reach, with what message, through which channels and when.
- Answer the exact question. Lead with the main answer, use evidence rather than promotional claims, and keep your terms consistent.
- Don’t wait for the deadline. Aim to submit 48 hours early, and register your organisation’s ID well in advance, as validation takes time.