Info day, 30/11/2023
Online info session: Erasmus+ programme – Capacity Building in Higher Education (europa.eu)
Capacity-building projects can be implemented in the fields of higher education, vocational education and training, youth and sport.
Capacity building in higher education
These are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of higher education. The aim is to improve the quality of higher education in third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ programme and to promote a successful green and sustainable global economic recovery in these countries. Activities focus on strengthening equality and inclusion, strengthening system and capacity building, increasing employability, strengthening the wider economic and social ecosystems of higher education, building alliances and coalitions, student participation in planning and learning processes, etc.
What are the types of activities and how to get involved?
To better address regional problems, projects can be implemented as national, regional or inter-regional.
The activities are further divided into specific project components according to the types of problems to be solved:
- Strand 1 – Promoting access to cooperation in higher education
- Component 2 – Partnerships for Transformation in Higher Education
- Component 3 – Structural reform projects
- Strand 1 – Promoting access to cooperation in higher educationThis component is targeted at least developed non-associated countries, remote regions and areas, newly involved or less experienced institutions.Projects should create partnerships, facilitate the transfer of experience and best practices, improve social inclusion and access to qualitative higher education offers for students/staff with fewer opportunities.Under strand 1, the following activities are available: activities aimed at strengthening the management/administrative capacities of the targeted HEIs, activities aimed at ensuring high-quality and relevant education, and activities aimed at increasing accessibility for students/staff with fewer opportunities.Hide
- Component 2 – Partnerships for Transformation in Higher EducationThe objective of this component is to strengthen the capacities of the target HEIs to address the challenges of the 21st century, such as migration, climate change, governance and the transition to a digital economy.These projects will combine the following elements: innovation in higher education and support for the reform of higher education institutions.Hide
Conditions of engagement for components 1 and 2
- Applicants (coordinator and partners) must be HEIs or HEI organisations established in Programme or eligible Partner Countries. The applicant institution submits the application on behalf of all participating partners.
- All third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ Programme in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are eligible to participate, except for high-income countries in Regions 5, 7 and 8 and Belarus (Region 2).
- The number of HEIs from EU Member States or third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme may not be higher than the number of HEIs from third countries not associated to the Programme, but depends on the number of HEIs in the country and the distribution of the total student population, see Handbook.
- Proposals must be submitted by a consortium (coordinator and partners) meeting the following conditions:Geographical coverage: at least two Programme Countries, at least one Partner Country (exception: at least two Partner Countries for Regions 1, 10 and 11; for interregional projects covering both Regions 10 and 11: at least one country from Region 10 and one country from Region 11).Institutional coverage: at least one HEI from each participating Programme Country and at least two HEIs from each participating Partner Country.
For other specific criteria, see Handbook.
- Duration of projects: 24 or 36 months.
- Grant amount for component 1: lump sum, €200,000-400,000 per project.
- Grant amount for strand 2: a lump sum of €400,000-800,000 per project.
- Component 3 – Structural reform projectsActivities under component 3 should contribute to the reform of higher education policies and build coherent and sustainable higher education systems.The aim is to reflect the socio-economic needs of the participating countries and create a knowledge-based economy. These projects will involve the national competent authorities of third countries not associated to the Programme, higher education institutions and research institutions.Action strengthening the digital environment of education for UkraineUnder strand 3, this action shall support one project aimed at creating an open educational digital environment to offer quality higher education to students enrolled in Ukrainian higher education institutions. In particular, those fleeing Ukraine or internally displaced students (as well as educational opportunities for the wider Ukrainian community abroad) based on cooperation between Ukrainian and other European universities.Hide
Terms of Engagement
Strengthening the digital education environment for Ukraine:
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium (coordinator and partners) meeting the following conditions:
- Geographical coverage: the territory of Ukraine recognised by international law and at least one Member State or third country associated to the Programme.
- Institutional coverage: At least one higher education institution from each participating country, a national competent authority (e.g. a ministry) responsible for higher education in Ukraine.
Other structural reform projects:
Applicants (coordinator and partners) must be higher education institutions, higher education institution organisations or recognised national or international organisations of rectors, faculty or students established in Programme or eligible Partner Countries. Organisations from Syria are not eligible to participate in this component.
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium (coordinator and partners) meeting the following conditions:
- Geographical coverage: – at least two EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme and at least one eligible third country not associated to the Programme.
- Institutional coverage: at least one HEI from each participating EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme, at least two HEIs from each participating third country not associated to the Programme, and a national competent authority (e.g. a ministry) responsible for higher education in each of the eligible third countries not associated to the Programme.
Duration of projects (for both actions): 36 or 48 months.
Grant amount: lump sum, for Strengthening the Digital Environment of Education for Ukraine: up to €5,000,000, other projects: €600,000-1,000,000 per project.