Authored by Emily Nelson from The Wheel as part of a series of articles sign-posting MLI members to possible sources of funding.
With a budget of €26.2 billion, Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support organisations working in education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and in the European Skills Agenda. It helps make European Pillar of Social Rights a reality and implements the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-2027. The Erasmus+ programme also focuses on the Just Transition and preparing people for a greener and more sustainable future.
To further these EU policy objectives, Erasmus+ provides funding for organisations to engage in Partnerships for Cooperation projects – collaborative projects with partners in Europe to exchange ideas and produce innovative outputs. Through the Partnerships for Cooperation projects funding stream, there is a large-scale partnership option and a small-scale partnership option that is highly recommended for organisations that are new to EU-funded projects and looking to build their EU networks. Under the large-scale partnership option, there is scope to deliver media literacy projects that create outputs such as courses and modules, digital platforms, apps, validation systems, and curricula. Organisations can also participate in Learning Mobility projects that enable them to train, learn or job shadow in other European countries.
Depending on the project’s target audience, there are different fields under which organisations can apply for funding: Adult Education, School Education, Vocational Education and Training, and Youth. Each field has its own specific priorities that are outlined in the 2023 Erasmus+ Programme Guide. Projects must address either one field-specific priority or one of the four cross-programme priorities: inclusion and diversity, environment and the fight against climate change, digital transformation, and participation in democratic life. Under the participation in democratic life priority, the Programme Guide emphasises that Erasmus+ funding will foster the development of critical thinking and media literacy so now is the perfect time to take advantage of these opportunities.
Ultimately, Erasmus+ projects are a great way to advance your organisation’s goals, facilitate collaboration and learning between EU partners, and create sustainable resources for your organisation and community. For some inspiration, check out these Erasmus+ projects on media literacy:
- IMEDIAL – Increasing MEDIA Literacy skills of adults to fight misinformation, fake news and cyberbullying
- Educational Toolkit for the Development of Social Media Literacy
Léargas is the national contact point for the Erasmus+ programme in Ireland and can provide you with excellent advice and training around project applications.
For general EU funding advice, The Wheel’s Access Europe programme is also here to help. Contact us today at europe@wheel.ie to begin your EU funding journey.
