EU Lifelong Learning Programme

Through transnational working, the EU Lifelong Learning Programme aims to support vocational education and training across Europe throughout all its phases - at school, college, university, in the workplace and in the community. Traditionally the FE sector has accessed Leonardo da Vinci funding but there is also scope for activity under other strands.  ECOTEC, based in Birmingham, acts as the National Agency for the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal Programmes and the British Council for the others outlined below.

Leonardo da Vinci

Offers opportunities for those in vocational education and training to participate in the following actions:

·     Mobility - work placements for learners (students, trainees or jobseekers) to increase skills, learning or confidence of learners.  Work shadowing to contribute the professional development of staff. Particularly good for those new to European funding.

·     Small Co-operation Projects - working in partnership with other organisations from across Europe, offering an opportunity to share ideas, experience and good practice on a specific theme selected by partners.  Projects last 2 years and at least 3 partners from 3 different countries are required.

·      Large Co-operation Projects - Transfer of Innovation - working in partnership with other organisations from across Europe, transferring training materials and customising for own needs.  Match funding required at 25%. Funding also available for multilateral projects and networks but this is managed directly from Brussels.

Funding is available for Preparatory Visits to help UK organisations to find new European partners or meet existing partners to discuss new applications.

For further information please click to visit the website

Grundtvig

This is the adult education strand to help adults by providing them with pathways to improve their knowledge and competences. 

·      Mobility - professional development opportunities for Adult Education staff as part of in-service training, visits and exchanges or assistantships.  European workshops for adult learners for 5-10 days.

·      Small Co-operation Projects - creating partnerships with European counterparts to share ideas, experience and good practice.  Also the opportunity to exchange senior volunteers with an EU partner.

·      Large Co-operation Projects - opportunity to develop new learning materials with EU partners. Funding also available for multilateral projects and networks but this is managed directly from Brussels.

As with Leonardo, funding is available for Preparatory Visits.  Please click here to visit their website.

Transversal Study Visits

Study visits are a learning experience for education and training professionals and offer the opportunity for an exchange of expertise and networking.  Visits last between 3-5 days in another EU country and they are on a specific theme.  Grants cover actual travel costs and contribute towards subsistence.

Organisations can apply to host study visits.  Click here to visit the website.

Erasmus

Supports the mobility of staff and students in the field of Higher Education across Europe in the context of both study and work placement.  It features co-operation activity between universities of 31 countries.  Students and staff at both HE and HE/FE institutions can apply.  Click here for more information on the website.  

Comenius

Part of the Lifelong Learning Socrates strand, Comenius seeks to develop understanding among young people and educational staff (to the end of upper secondary school age) of the diversity of European cultures, languages and values.  This is through school partnerships and exchanges, preparatory visits, in-service training and by becoming Comenius assistants.  All UK schools and colleges from nursery through to further education can apply.   For more information click here.