The new program ERASMUS+uses an integrated approach that guarantees effective interaction between all sectors of education, training, youth and sports. It supports activities in the areas of: secondary education, higher education, vocational training, reorientation training, and youth. The new program intends to build stable partnerships between the education area and industry partners in order to encourage innovation and competitiveness, and in the same time improves employment with an accent on youth unemployment.
The program has three may Key actions:
Key action 1 (KA1) – Learning Mobility of Individuals
Key action 2 (KA2) – Coordination for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices
Key action 3 (KA3) – Support for Policy Reform
Participants in the ERASMUS+ are only educational institutions that hold an EU ERASMUS Charter.
For higher education institution (HEIs), the ERASMUS+ programofferseducational mobility under KA1.
The mobility for education in the area of higher education targets students and PhD students and offers the possibility to conduct mobilities in their area of studies in another educational institution abroad. That type of mobility has duration between 3 and 12 months.
The mobility for practice in the area of higher education targets students and PhD students, as well as newly graduates, and it given the opportunity to conduct training in another education institution or company in a foreign country. The duration of these mobilities is between 2 and 12 months. It may be conducted while studying a particular degree and there is no limitation as to the number of mobilities as long as they are within the maximum allowed period (of 12 months). Students may also undertake mobilities up to 12 months following their graduation (either from an undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program).
The mobility for education in the area of higher education targets lecturers and professional staff and gives the possibility to engage in professional development in another education institution abroad. The duration of such mobilities is between 2 days and 2 months.
The mobility for teaching in the area of higher education targets lecturers and the academic staff and gives the possibility to engage in academic development in another education institution abroad. Business representatives may also undertake lecturing upon invitation from an university abroad. The duration of such mobilities is between 2 days and 2 months.
Prior to a mobility, the sending institution and the host institution sign a Mobility Agreement, together with the student/lecturer.
The main objectives of the program are:
– To improve the quality and increase mobility of students and academics within Europe and contribute to achieve 3 million individual student mobilities under the program;
– To increase the quality and enhance cooperation between the higher education institutions in Europe;
– To improve transparency and mapping of qualification acquired across Europe in the area of higher education;
– To improve cooperation between high education institutions and the industry;
– To improve the transfer of innovation in higher education, including between European member states;
– To support the creation of innovative content using modern IT for the purpose of education, services and teaching practice.