Erasmus + Projects: Virtual Exchanges in Higher Education and Youth

28-06-2022

 

Virtual Exchanges in Higher Education and Youth

 

Objectives and requirements

Virtual exchange projects are online people-to-people activities for young people. The exchanges enable international and cross-cultural education, both formal and informal, without physical mobility. The projects therefore facilitate and increase the participation of organisations and individuals in international education experiences.

Virtual exchanges should take place in small groups, and should always be moderated by a trained facilitator. Furthermore, in the context of higher education, these exchanges should be easily integrated in courses.

Organisations can choose the specific topics on which the virtual exchanges would focus, but the impact on one or more of the predefined objectives should be demonstrated. These objectives include encouraging intercultural dialogue and tolerance, complementing physical mobility under Erasmus+, enhancing critical thinking, developing digital and soft skills, promoting common values, and strengthening the youth dimension in EU relations with third countries.

To achieve the objectives, a wide range of online activities can be integrated in the project work plans. In a higher education setting, these activities include online discussions moderated by trained facilitators between students based in different countries, as part of higher education degrees. Learning outcomes should be evaluated and recognised. University professors and staff can be trained to develop a virtual exchange project. Interactive open online courses can be developed, with an emphasis on interaction among students, professors, and teaching staff.

All projects should involve organisations and participants coming from EU member States and/or third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme on the one hand, and third countries not associated to the Programme on the other hand. Each should be represented by at least two institutions from two eligible countries, resulting in a consortium of at least 4 organisations. However, in each project, only organisations and participants from one of the eligible regions of third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, can be involved. Furthermore, individual participants should always be based in the countries of the participating organisations.

There are five eligible regions. The list of countries belonging to each of the regions can be found here.

  • Region 1: Western Balkans;
  • Region 2: Neighbourhood East;
  • Region 3: South Mediterranean;
  • Region 4: Russian Federation (note: institutions with over 50% of public ownership or control cannot participate. This includes all universities. Other institutions can join, but these will need to submit supporting documents, which will be evaluated on a case by case basis);
  • Region 9: SubSaharan Africa.

Financial rules and call information

Maximum EU Grant

€500,000, with €200 as a maximum investment per participant.

Duration

3 Years

Funding Model

Customised Lump Sum – a detailed budget (template available) must be prepared at application stage.

Co-Financing

95% EU co-financing, 5% other resources.

Proof of other resources is not required, but double EU funding is not allowed.

Overhead

7%

Status and deadline

Open call – deadline 20 September 2022, 17:00 (Brussels time).

Next call will be launched in autumn 2022, with a deadline in April 2023.

Where to apply

Applications are submitted to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), through the EU Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal (F&TOP).

 

Virtual Exchanges with the Western Balkans: ERASMUS-EDU-2022-VIRT-EXCH-IPA

 

Virtual Exchanges with other specific regions in the world: ERASMUS-EDU-2022-VIRT-EXCH-NDICI

 

Further information