Find clear explanations of key concepts across Youth, Higher Education, Adult Education, VET and Sport — all in one place.
A person who accompanies participants (learners, staff, young people or youth workers) in a mobility activity in order to ensure their safety, provide support and assistance, as well as assist with the participant's effective learning during the mobility experience. In individual activities, an accompanying person may accompany participants with fewer opportunities or minors and youngsters with little experience outside their own country. In case of group activities in the field of education and training, qualified education staff must accompany the group to facilitate the learning process.
A process to ensure that organisations wishing to receive funding under a given action of the Erasmus+ Programme respect a set of qualitative standards or pre-requisites defined for that action by the European Commission. In the fields of vocational education and training, school education, adult education and youth, the Erasmus accreditation gives accredited organisations simplified access to Key Action 1 (learning mobility) funding throughout the programme period.
All forms of non-vocational adult education, whether of a formal, non-formal or informal nature (for continuous vocational training see 'VET').
Any adult who, having completed or being no longer involved in initial education or training, returns to some forms of non-vocational continuing learning (formal, non-formal or informal).
The following can be considered Affiliated Entities: legal entities having a legal or capital link with beneficiaries; this link is neither limited to the action nor established for the sole purpose of its implementation; several entities which satisfy the criteria for being awarded a grant and together form one entity which may be treated as the sole beneficiary. The Affiliated Entities must comply with the eligibility and non-exclusion criteria, and where applicable also with the selection criteria applying to applicants but they do not count toward the minimum eligibility criteria for the consortium composition (if any).
Any participating organisation or informal group of young people that submits a grant application. Applicants may apply either individually or on behalf of other organisations involved in the project. In the latter case, the applicant is also defined as coordinator. For actions managed by the Executive Agency EACEA, the applicants are those participants who will become beneficiaries and affiliated entities in the Grant Agreement.
Final date for submission of the application to the National or Executive Agency to be considered admissible.
Without prejudice to national terminology, apprenticeships are understood as formal vocational education and training schemes that: a) combine learning in education or training institutions with substantial work-based learning in companies and other workplaces, b) lead to nationally recognised qualifications, c) are based on an agreement defining the rights and obligations of the apprentice, the employer and, where appropriate, the vocational education and training institution, and d) include payment or other compensation to the apprentice for the work-based component.
These are partners from the public or private sector that contribute to the implementation of specific project tasks/activities or support the promotion and sustainability of the project, but that for contractual management aspects are not considered to be beneficiaries, and do not receive any funding from the Programme as part of the project.
Literacy, mathematics, science and technology; these skills are included in the key competences.
When a project is approved for an Erasmus+ grant, the applicant(s) organisation becomes a beneficiary(ies) by signing a contract with the National or Executive Agency that has selected the project. If the application was made on behalf of other participating organisations, the partners may become co-beneficiaries of the grant.
Combination of physical mobility and a virtual component, facilitating collaborative online learning exchange/teamwork.
Invitation published by or on behalf of the Commission to present, within a given deadline, a proposal for action that corresponds to the objectives pursued and meets the required conditions. Calls for proposals are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (C series) and/or on relevant websites of the Commission, National or Executive Agency.
In the context of Erasmus+, a document issued to any person who has completed a learning activity in the field of education, training and youth, where applicable. It certifies the attendance and, where applicable, the learning outcomes of the participant in the activity.
A minor mistake or inadvertence unintentionally made in a document that changes its meaning, such as a typographical error or the unintentional addition or omission of a word, phrase, or figure.
The principle under which part of the costs of a project supported by the EU must be born by the beneficiary, or covered through external contributions other than the EU grant.
A resource person - not member of the group – who supports young people in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of their project.
Creation or enhancement of a community among individuals who share a common need or interest or who lived a joint experience which created common ground. The community created through the community building process is a lively group of members who exchange practices and ideas for further development to the benefit of the community itself.
Legal persons established under civil or commercial law, including cooperative societies, and other legal persons governed by public or private law, except those which are non-profit-making.
Two or more participating organisations teaming up to prepare, implement and follow up a project or an activity within a project. A consortium may be national (i.e. involving organisations established in the same country) or international (involving participating organisations from different countries).
A participating organisation applying for an Erasmus+ grant on behalf of a consortium of partner organisations. The coordinator has special obligations foreseen in the grant agreement.
A set of learning outcomes of an individual which have been assessed and which can be accumulated towards a qualification or transferred to other learning programmes or qualifications.
A limited period of study or traineeship abroad set within on-going studies at a home institution - for the purpose of gaining credits. After the mobility phase, students return to their home institution to complete their studies.
A period of study abroad aimed at acquiring a full degree or certificate in the destination country/ies.
Dialogue with young people and youth organisations and decision makers which serves as a forum for continuous joint reflection on the priorities, implementation and follow-up of European cooperation in the youth field.
Involves the confident, critical and responsible use of, and engagement with, digital technologies for learning, at work, and for participation in society. It includes information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, media literacy, digital content creation (including programming), safety (including digital well-being and competences related to cybersecurity), intellectual property related questions, problem solving and critical thinking.
Proactively using or addressing digital media and technology in youth work. Digital media and technology can be either a tool, an activity or a content in youth work. Digital youth work is not a youth work method, it can be included in any youth work setting and it has the same goals as youth work in general.
An annex to the official qualification documentation, which is designed to provide more detailed information on the studies completed according to an agreed format, which is internationally recognized. It is produced by higher education institutions according to standards agreed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO.
(At least) two separate degree certificates awarded to a student upon successful completion of a joint programme. Each degree must be signed by the competent authority of the institution concerned, and recognised officially in the countries where the different awarding institutions are located.
An accreditation granted by the European Commission giving the possibility to higher education institutions from EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme to be eligible to apply and participate in learning mobility and cooperation activities under Erasmus+. The Charter outlines the fundamental principles an institution should adhere to in organising and implementing high quality mobility and cooperation.
A learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer, based on the transparency of learning, teaching and assessment processes. Its objective is to facilitate planning, delivery and evaluation of study programmes and learner mobility through the recognition of qualifications and periods of learning.
Any undertaking engaged in an economic activity, irrespective of its size, legal form or of the economic sector in which it operates.
A reference tool for policy-makers based on a four-stage quality cycle that includes goal setting and planning, implementation, evaluation and review. It respects the autonomy of national governments and is a voluntary system to be used by public authorities and other bodies involved in quality assurance.
Identifies and categorises skills and competences, qualifications and occupations relevant for the EU labour market and education and training, in 25 European languages. The system provides occupational profiles showing the relationships between occupations, skills, competences and qualifications. ESCO has been developed in an open IT format and can be used by anyone free of charge.
Relates to an organisation or body fulfilling certain national conditions (registration, statement, publication, etc.) that allow such organisation or body to be formally recognized by its national authority.
The Europass online platform provides individuals and organisations with web-based tools and information on learning opportunities, qualifications frameworks and qualifications, guidance, skills intelligence, self-assessment tools and documentation of skills and qualifications, and connectivity with learning and employment opportunities. The platform also offers tools and software to support digitally-signed credentials through the European Digital Credentials for Learning.
For the purpose of this programme, these are NGOs that operate through a formally recognised structure 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.
A common reference framework of eight levels of qualifications, expressed as learning outcomes with increasing levels of proficiency. They serve as a translation device between different qualifications systems and their levels. The purpose of the EQF for lifelong learning is to improve the transparency, comparability and portability of people's qualifications.
EU and non-EU countries that have established a National Agency which participates fully in the Erasmus+ Programme.
A person who helps a group of (young) people to work together better, understand their common objectives, and plan how to achieve these objectives through Erasmus+ activities.
Any participating organisation that has not previously received support as a project coordinator (applicant) under a given type of action supported by this Programme or its predecessor programme in the last seven years.
An unforeseeable exceptional situation or event beyond the participant's control and not attributable to error or negligence on their part.
Physical leisure activities practised regularly at non-professional level by people of all ages for health, educational or social purposes.
Fundamental skills to the transition to a low-carbon economy, which can be general such as sustainable agriculture, soil protection, energy use and waste reduction, or more technical such as knowledge on renewable energy.
Travel that uses low-emissions means of transport for the main part of the travel, such as bus, train, bike or car-pooling.
In youth mobility projects, a group leader is an adult of at least 18 years old who joins the young people participating in a Youth Exchange or DiscoverEU Inclusion Action in order to ensure their effective learning (Youthpass), protection and safety.
An institution which, in accordance with national law or practice, offers recognised degrees or other recognised tertiary level qualifications, regardless of what such an establishment is called, or a comparable institution at tertiary level which is considered by the national authorities as eligible to participate in the Programme.
The (main) organisation that provides learning content to participants in mobility activities by using its own resources and expertise. The hosting organisation cooperates with the sending organisation to define the expected learning outcomes and the methods that will be used to achieve them.
Group of at least four young people which does not have legal personality under the applicable national law, provided that their representatives have the legal capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf. The group must be composed of at least four young persons and their age should be according with the overall age of the young people in the programme (13–30).
Learning resulting from daily activities and experiences which is not organised or structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support; it may be unintentional from the learner's perspective.
In the context of Erasmus+, relates to any action involving at least one EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme and at least one third country not associated to the Programme.
An activity taking place in more than one country. Itinerant activities imply the movement of all participants at the same time.
A stay at a partner organisation in another country with the aim of receiving training by following practitioners in their daily work in the receiving organisation, exchanging good practices, acquiring skills and knowledge and/or building long-term partnerships through participative observation.
Single degree certificate awarded to a student upon successful completion of a joint programme. The joint degree must be signed by the competent authorities of two or more of the participating institutions jointly and recognised officially in the countries where those participating institutions are located.
Higher education programmes jointly designed, delivered and fully recognised by two or more higher education institutions. Joint programmes can be implemented at any higher education cycle, i.e. bachelor, master or doctorate or even short cycle.
The basic set of knowledge, skills and attitudes which all individuals need for personal fulfilment and development, employability, social inclusion, sustainable lifestyle, successful life in peaceful societies, health-conscious life management and active citizenship.
Moving physically to a country other than the country of residence, in order to undertake study, training or non-formal, or informal learning.
Statements of what a participant knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process, which are defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence.
A natural person or a legal person created and recognised as such under national law, Union law or international law which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations.
For actions managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, the LEAR role is key: once validated by the Commission, the LEAR will be authorised to manage the legal and financial information about the organisation, manage access rights, and appoint representatives to electronically sign grant agreements.
Any participating organisation that has not received support in a given type of action supported by this Programme or its predecessor programme more than twice in the last seven years. This category includes the category of 'first-time applicants'.
Learning in all its forms, whether formal, non-formal or informal, taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective.
Participants in a learning mobility activity travelling less than 10 km to the venue of the activity. Such participants are not eligible for travel support, but, depending on the action, they may be eligible for individual support, organisational support and inclusion support.
A micro-credential is a recognised proof of the learning outcomes that a learner has achieved following a short learning experience, according to transparent standards and requirements and upon assessment. Micro-credentials are owned by the learner, are shareable, portable and may be combined into larger credentials or qualifications.
An agreement between the sending and receiving organisation and the participating individuals, defining the aims and content of the mobility period in order to ensure its relevance and quality. It can also be used as a basis for recognition of the period abroad by the receiving organisation.
In the context of the Erasmus+ Programme and for the purpose of calculating the grants, a month is equal to 30 days.
A type of course that is completely delivered online, is open to be accessed by anyone without cost, entry qualifications or other restrictions; participant numbers are often high. MOOCs funded under Erasmus+ have to be open to all and both the participation and a certificate or badge of completion are free of charge for participants.
A designated body in charge of managing the implementation of the Programme at national level in a Member State or in a third country associated to the Programme. One or more National Agencies may exist in each country.
An authority in charge, at national level, of monitoring and supervising the management of the Programme in a Member State or in a third country associated to the Programme. One or more National Authorities may exist in each country.
Any participating organisation that has not previously received support in a given type of action supported by this Programme or its predecessor programme either as a coordinator or a partner.
Learning which takes place through planned learning activities where some form of learning support is present, but which is not part of the formal education and training system.
The set of skills, competences, knowledge and qualifications that is usually relevant for a specific occupation.
The Organisation ID (OID) uniquely identifies your organisation among all organisations participating in the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps actions managed by National Agencies. You can use your organisation's OID when applying for an accreditation or grant.
Integrated/long programmes leading either to a first or a second-cycle degree and which, in some countries, can still be better characterised by duration in years rather than credits. The typical length of integrated programmes leading to regulated professions is in general 300–360 ECTS / five–six years.
A general concept of publishing materials of a specific kind openly, i.e. designed to be accessible and usable by the broadest possible user group and the greatest number of use cases. Erasmus+ has an Open Access Requirement for educational resources and encourages Open Access of research results and data.
Educational materials of any kind (e.g. textbooks, worksheets, lesson plans, instructional videos, entire online courses, educational games) which can be freely used, adapted and shared. OERs have either been released under an open licence or are in the public domain.
A way for copyright holders to grant the general public the legal permission to freely use their work. Under the Erasmus+ Open Access Requirement, any such open license must permit at least use, adaptation and distribution.
Individual who is fully involved in a project and who may receive European Union funding intended to cover the costs of participation (notably travel and subsistence).
People who, for economic, social, cultural, geographical or health reasons, a migrant background, or for reasons such as disability and educational difficulties or for any other reasons, face obstacles that prevent them from having effective access to opportunities under the programme.
An organisation or informal group of young people involved in an Erasmus+ project, as either coordinator or partner.
In actions managed by National Agencies, a partner organisation is an organisation formally involved in the project (co-beneficiaries) but not taking the role of coordinator.
An agreement between a group of institutions or organisations to carry out joint activities and projects.
A reciprocal learning activity, which is mutually beneficial and involves the sharing of knowledge, ideas and experience between the participants. Peer learning practices enable participants to interact with each other and meet educational, professional and/or personal development goals.
Visits to the country of the receiving organisation prior to the start of mobility activities to prepare and ensure high quality of those activities. Examples include tasks to facilitate administrative arrangements and build trust and understanding between organisations involved.
Process of enhancing the professional capabilities of participants (learners and staff) by developing competences and expertise and acquiring new skills, which are normally identified in a development needs analysis. Professional development encompasses all types of learning opportunities, ranging from structured trainings and seminars to informal learning opportunities.
A private company that a) carries out its business in compliance with ethical standards and/or b) on top of its business activities, carries out some actions that have social value.
A coherent set of activities which are designed and organised in order to achieve defined objectives and results.
A formal outcome of an assessment and validation process which is obtained when a competent body determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards.
A participating organisation receiving participants and organising activities of an Erasmus+ project.
An institution providing general, vocational or technical education, at any level from pre-school to upper secondary education, including early childhood education and care.
A person enrolled in a learning capacity at an institution providing general education at any level from early childhood education and care to upper secondary education, or a person schooled outside an institutional setting considered by the competent authorities as eligible to participate in the Programme.
A participating organisation sending one or more participants to an activity of an Erasmus+ project.
Enterprises which employ fewer than 250 people and which have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million EUR, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million EUR.
The innovative development of youth work encompassing digital youth work practice, and including a research, quality and policy component.
An undertaking, irrespective of its legal form, which is not listed on a regulated market and which has as its primary objective the achievement of measurable, positive social impacts rather than generating profit for its owners, members and stakeholders.
A person involved in the instruction, training and management of a sports team or individual sports people, either on a paid basis or on a voluntary basis.
A person who, on either a professional or a voluntary basis, is involved in education, training or non-formal learning at all levels. Includes professors, teachers, trainers, school leaders, youth workers, sport staff, early childhood education and care staff, non-educational staff and other practitioners involved on a regular basis in promoting learning.
This notion implies that the cooperation between the organisations concerned is based on a formalised/documented relation, which is neither limited to the project they apply for, nor established for the sole purpose of its implementation.
A trip where the participant gets to know and study another organisation or institution, its practices and systems. It enables the participant to have a learning experience based on direct contact and on observation of the host organisation's methods and practices.
Countries which do not participate fully in the Erasmus+ Programme, but which may take part (as partners or applicants) in certain Actions of the Programme.
The third cycle level in the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area. The descriptor of the third cycle of the QF EHEA corresponds to the learning outcomes for EQF level 8.
Time spent in an enterprise or organisation in another country, with a view to acquiring specific competences that are needed by the labour market, gaining work experience and acquiring more understanding of the economic and social culture of that country.
In the context of Erasmus+, relates, unless otherwise indicated, to any activity involving at least two EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme.
Include the ability to think critically, be curious and creative, to take initiative, to solve problems and work collaboratively, to be able to communicate efficiently in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment. These skills are part of the key competences.
Instruments to help stakeholders understand, appreciate and, where appropriate, recognise learning outcomes and qualifications throughout the European Union.
A process of confirmation by an authorised body that an individual has acquired learning outcomes measured against a relevant standard and consists of: identification, documentation, formal assessment, and certification of the results of the assessment.
The physical location where an activity is taking place.
International sectoral events in which competitive demonstration of skills by VET learners is central for promotion, recognition and exchange of experience, know-how and technological innovations in VET.
Any form of cooperation using information and communication technology tools to facilitate and support any relevant Programme actions.
Acquisition of knowledge, skills and competences through the use of information and communication technology tools that allow participants to have a meaningful transnational or international learning experience.
Education and training which aims to equip young people and adults with knowledge, skills and competences required in particular occupations or more broadly on the labour market. It may be provided in formal and in non-formal settings, at all levels of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
A person enrolled in an initial or continuous vocational education and training programme or a person who has recently graduated or obtained a qualification from such a programme.
A component of the project work breakdown. It represents a group of project activities targeting common specific objectives.
Acquisition of knowledge and skills through carrying out – and reflecting on – tasks in a vocational context, either at the workplace (such as alternance training) or in a vocational education and training institution.
In the context of the Erasmus+ Programme, individuals aged between 13 and 30.
An out-of-school activity (such as youth exchange, volunteering or youth training) carried out by a young person, either individually or in a group, in particular through youth organisations, and characterised by a non-formal learning approach.
A professional or a volunteer involved in non-formal learning who supports young people in their personal socio-educational, and professional development.
The European tool to improve the recognition of the learning outcomes of young people and youth workers from their participation in projects supported by the Erasmus+ Programme. Youthpass consists of certificates and a defined process which supports reflection about learning outcomes from an Erasmus+ project.