Discover the programmes
To bring Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps as close as possible to the participants and make sure it works well across different countries, the EU works with National Agencies to manage the programme.
Learn more about opportunities in your country, start your own project and see what trainings and programs are available.
About Erasmus +
Erasmus+ has many opportunities for non-formal learning and initiatives. It’s open for people aged 13 to 30, but also to youth workers, youth organisations, or any group that works directly with young people.
Youth organisations can receive funding to:
- organise youth exchanges
- support the professional development of youth workers
- strengthen the voice of young people through projects that connect them with local and European policymakers
- build projects with like-minded organisations in other countries to exchange best practice and/or create innovative tools and methods for their field
What are the aims of Erasmus+ in Youth?
- Increase the skills and competences of young people and youth workers
- Support interaction between young people from different cultural backgrounds
- Promote social inclusion and solidarity amongst young people
- Empower young people to be active citizens and have a voice in decision making
- Support young people to access the labour market
- Develop quality improvements in youth work
- Support the development of knowledge and evidence-based youth policy
- Support the recognition of non-formal and informal learning
- Strengthen the international dimension of youth activities.
So, how does it all work?
The types of projects and activities that can be funded by Erasmus+ are called Key Actions (KAs).
Erasmus+ Youth Mobility (Key Action 1)
The European Union programme Erasmus+ funds Youth projects across Europe. This is to provide non-formal and informal learning opportunities for young people so that they can acquire competences that improve their personal and socio-educational development. It also encourages active participation in society, improving employment prospects. Participation also enables youth workers to develop skills to bolster professional development, foster new organisational practises and raise the quality of youth work in general.
There are three main types of Erasmus+ Youth Mobility projects (Part of Key Action 1):
Visit each page for more detail on each project type.
If you want to apply for funding, you will need to be familiar with the priorities of Erasmus+. You will also need to read the Youth Mobility section of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide to understand the programme rules.
Erasmus+ Partnerships for Cooperation (Key Action 2)
Do you want to work with counterparts in Europe to develop ideas or produce innovative deliverables, like training courses or tools? Partnerships for Cooperation can help.
The European Union programme Erasmus+ funds education, training and youth Partnership projects in organisations across Europe as part of Key Action 2. This funding is to help increase the quality and relevance of their activities, to develop networks, to boost internationalisation and to transfer innovative practices. Partnership projects should produce results and learning that are re-usable, transferable, and that can be scaled up.
There are two types of Erasmus+ Partnership projects:
- Cooperation Partnerships
- Small-scale Partnerships
If you want to apply for funding, you will need to be familiar with the Erasmus+ priorities. You will also need to read the Key Action 2 section of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide to understand the programme rules.
European Youth Together (Key Action 3)
European Youth Together projects aim to create networks promoting regional partnerships, enabling young people across Europe to set up joint projects, organise exchanges and promote trainings (e.g. for youth leaders) through both physical and online activities.
Read the Key Action 3 section of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide to understand all possibilities and requirements.
PS: The application for funding for this activity does not go through the National Agencies of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps.
European Solidarity Corps
New European Union initiative creating opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe.
* This content has been created with the support of the Irish National Agency (Léargas).
About European Solidarity Corps
Young people can volunteer or work in European Solidarity Corps projects on a wide variety of topics ranging from youth work to environmental issues, arts, drama or culture. Volunteering placements are full-time (30-38 hours per week) and can last two to twelve months, or from two weeks to two months in some cases. Traineeship placements involve full-time work practice with a learning and training element, and usually last two to six months. Volunteers and trainees receive funding for their expenses. Jobs must include a learning and training component and be based on a written employment contract. Jobs last from three to twelve months, and young people are paid by the employer.
You can register for the European Solidarity Corps when you are 17 years old, but you cannot start a project until you are over 18. European Solidarity Corps projects will be available to people up to the age of 30 years old.
After completing a simple registration process, European Solidarity Corps participants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural disasters or rebuild afterwards, assisting in centres for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communities.
So, how does it all work?
Types of Activities in European Solidarity Corps
- Individual volunteering lets young people participate in the daily work of organisations and lasts between 2 and 12 months, and in some cases, 2 weeks and up. Participants can volunteer abroad or in their country of residence for projects covering social inclusion, environment, culture, and more.
- Volunteering teams are groups of 10-40 young people from at least two different countries who volunteer together for a period of between 2 weeks and 2 months. The costs of accommodation and food are covered. Participants also receive a small allowance for personal expenses.
- Traineeships count as full-time work practice and last between 2 and 6 months – renewable once. They are paid for by the organisation responsible for the traineeship. Trainees develop their personal, educational, social, civic and professional skills.
- Jobs are full-time and last between 3 and 12 months. They are paid for by the organisation employing the participant.
- Solidarity projects are initiated, developed and implemented over a period of 2 to 12 months by at least five young people who want to make a positive change in their local community. Young people who want to run a solidarity project in their country of residence must register in the European Solidarity Corps portal.
Available Funding in European Solidarity Corps
Volunteers receive funding for accommodation, food, travel, insurance and pocket money through their sending organisation. The sending organisation receives an organisational support budget also. For traineeship placements, travel costs, organisational support and a relocation allowance are normally paid. For those in an employment placement, there will always be a labour contract as well as a wage paid for by the organisation in accordance with local laws, regulations and collective agreements. All participants will receive a certificate detailing the actions they have taken through the European Solidarity Corps.
The new EU Youth Programme priorities
EU priorities to support the democratic process in a focussed approach for young people with ways to contribute to the shaping of a brighter future.
* This content has been created with the support of the Irish National Agency (Léargas).
Inclusion and Diversity
Ensuring the inclusion and the encouragement of diversity, meaning a better reach for more participants especially those who tend to have fewer opportunities, addressing the barriers thrown up by disabilities, social and economic conditions and also geographical factors.
Digital Transformation
Investing in the digital skills of young people to enable advances to be made in fields such as clean energy, climate change, robotics, AI, data analysis, etc. to make sure that the youth contribution to sustainable development stimulates the economy and competency in these areas.
Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of digital education, the need for digital transformation, the significance of harnessing digital technologies for teaching and learning, and the demand for developing digital skills for all.
Participation in Democratic Life
Increasing the knowledge and awareness of the democratic processes which underpin European identity and influence the world, engaging young people for democracy to flourish, recognising common values as well as diversity and the unity which is fostered through civic engagement.
Sustainability, Environmental & Climate Goals
Developing a broad consensus which puts the environment at the heart of design, implementation and results, which meet the needs of organisations and individuals so that the people, planet and economy can thrive.
You can find the same priority in European Solidarity Corps Programme Guide named: Environmental Protection, Sustainable Development and Climate Action.
Prevention, Promotion & Support in the field of Health
Health promotion and support is one of five key European Solidary Corps priorities. The priority aims to support Europe in managing the impact of and recovery from Covid-19.
While health is an overarching priority in the new EU Youth Programme, it is addressed specifically just in the European Solidarity Corps Programme Guide.