There are lots of opportunities for adult educators and adult learners to get involved in Erasmus+.
Organisations working in the field of adult education can receive funding from Léargas to:
- support the professional development of their staff members and adult learners
- 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 Adult Education?
- Support the development of high quality learning opportunities for adult learners
- Support adult learners to develop key competences and skills
- Increase awareness of the learning opportunities available through the development of effective outreach, guidance and motivation strategies
- Support the professional development of adult educators
- Develop new ways to support inclusion, diversity, equality, gender-balance and non-discrimination
- Improve access, participation and the learning experience for adults
- Support the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning.
How does it work?
There are two main types of projects and activities that can be funded by Erasmus+ : Mobility Projects (KA1) and Partnerships for Cooperation (KA2)
I would strongly encourage you to consider applying, in the knowledge that Léargas are there to support and encourage you on your own particular Erasmus+ journey.
Fergus Timmons, Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Mobility Projects
Key Action 1 Adult Education Mobility projects support adult educators and, for the first time, adult learners.
What is an Adult Learner? The following definition* has been developed by Léargas in consultation with national authorities in Ireland, for the purposes of identifying Adult Learner participation in Key Action 1 mobility projects in the Adult Education field of Erasmus+:
Any adult learner who is no longer in initial education or training that is returning to, or participating in, some form of non-vocational continuing learning (formal, non-formal, informal) or who experiences educational disadvantage or other obstacles that impacts their participation in a learning programme.
* This definition does not include vocational education and training learners, who are covered by Erasmus+ VET.
Read more about Ireland’s FET Strategy on the Solas website.
Adult Education organisations can empower their learners and provide professional development for their staff through Erasmus+. There are lots of opportunities to exchange knowledge and working methods with your peers in other countries taking part in Erasmus+.
Possible activities include:
- Individual and group mobility of adult learners who have fewer opportunities
- Teaching or training at a partner organisation
- Participating in courses or training abroad
- Job-shadowing in a partner organsation.
Download the list of eligible organisations.
For more details contact our Project Support and Development Team.
Partnerships for Cooperation
What is a partnership project?
A partnership project is one where an organisation works with other relevant groups across Europe to develop, transfer or implement innovative practices. Funding is available for Irish organisations, institutions, companies and research organisations that are active in Adult Education, School Education, VET or Youth. Examples of partnerships projects include:
- An Adult Education organisation working with expert organisations to develop an innovative training course
- A school working with other schools to develop its approach to digital learning
There are two types of partnership project:
- Cooperation Partnerships
- Small-scale Partnerships
Cooperation Partnerships
Cooperation Partnerships aim to:
- Increase quality in the work, activities and practices of the organisations and institutions involved
- Build capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors
- Address common needs and priorities in the fields of education, training and youth
- Enable transformation and change, leading to improvements and new approaches at individual, organisational or sectoral level.
Small-scale Partnerships
Small-scale Partnerships have similar aims to Cooperation Partnerships and are designed to widen access to Erasmus+. They are shorter and have simpler administrative requirements than Cooperation Partnerships. They aim to support:
- Grassroots organisations
- Less experienced organisations
- Newcomers to Erasmus+.
For more details contact the Project Support and Development Team.
How do you find a partner or courses?
Contact Seminars
You can find a partner for your project by participating in a funded Contact Seminar which allows you to connect with similar organisations across Europe. Visit the Léargas Training and Events page to find out more.
EPALE
The Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE) is an open memberships community for professionals involved in Adult Learning. Here you can find out about events and courses taking place across Europe. The EPALE platform has a partner finding tool where you can post your project idea or look for project ideas that might interest you.
Erasmus+ for Adult Education is managed in Ireland by Léargas. To find out more visit leargas.ie