Funding – What is available and who is it for?

European Funds  - Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013

European monies for education are available in 4 main funding packages; Comenius (largely for Teachers), Erasmus (which largely forms part of language based University degrees and tertiary education), Leonardo da Vinci (supporting Vocational Education other than tertiary education) and the Grundtvig programme which addresses all forms of adult education.

European Funding is perhaps the most complex of funding to access and whilst on the surface each strand of funding seems simple, the complexities of the applicant’s and course requirements can run very deep. Not only this but  the interpretation of the legislation can be different from country to country. Further complications arise with each countries application process and deadlines, making it very difficult for Educational organisations to administer.

Many of our partners offer courses eligible for some of these funds, please contact us for more advice.

Comenius

The programme covers pre-school and school education up to the end of upper secondary education, and the institutions and organisations providing such education.

Its two specific objectives are to:

·                  develop understanding among young people and educational staff of the diversity of European cultures and its value;

·                  help young people acquire the basic life-skills and competences necessary for their personal development, for future employment and for active European citizenship;

Erasmus

The Erasmus programme addresses formal higher education and vocational education and training at tertiary level, whatever the length of the course or qualification may be and including doctoral studies. Unlike the previous programmes, vocational education and training at tertiary level comes under Erasmus now and not Leonardo da Vinci.

The two specific objectives are to:

·                  support the achievement of a European Area of Higher Education;

·                  reinforce the contribution of higher education and advanced vocational education to the process of innovation.

Leonardo da Vinci

The Leonardo da Vinci programme addresses vocational education and training, other than at tertiary level.

Its specific objectives are to:

·                  support participants in training in the acquisition and the use of knowledge, skills and qualifications to facilitate personal development, employability and participation in the European labour market;

·                  support improvements in quality and innovation;

Grundtvig

The Grundtvig programme addresses all forms of adult education.

It aims to:

·                  respond to the educational challenge of an ageing population in Europe;

·                  help provide adults with pathways to improving their knowledge and competences.

Assistance with applications for funding can be made through Educatours.

For Further Information, please download from our web site, the PDF document ‘ ESF Funding for Education’ here