European Programme E+ Policy frameworks for vocational education

Call for Proposals

The Call for Proposals - EACEA 04/2015 “Comprehensive policy frameworks for continuing vocational education and training” has been published by the European Commission, Directorate Education and Training.

The objective of the “Comprehensive policy frameworks for continuing vocational education and training” Call is to support the development of public policies that seek to coordinate the provision of high quality, relevant and accessible continuing vocational education and training (CVET) and to ensure a significant increase in take-up of further training opportunities, as part of comprehensive national, regional or local skills strategies. The Call shall encourage cooperation between national authorities and all relevant stakeholders involved in CVET, including the skills development of employees and the reorientation of workers (such as the training provided by public employment services).

The “Comprehensive policy frameworks for continuing vocational education and training” Call addresses national authorities in charge of CVET policies in each country of the Erasmus+ programme, or an organisation designated by them. The direct involvement of the competent national authorities (ministry or equivalent) is to make sure that the projects can effectively contribute to a better understanding of the CVET training provision and polices in place. The projects should demonstrate how competent public authorities use their steering role in defining the strategic priorities of national, regional or local skills policies and related CVET policies to create the basis for systemic reform. Each project will draw on practices in one or more countries of the Erasmus+ programme, thus benefitting from the transfer of knowledge and experience. The active involvement of national, regional or local stakeholders such as social partners (employers’ and employees’ organisations), VET providers, individual companies and intermediary organisations will be an important element of the quality of the proposal.

In the framework of the “Comprehensive policy frameworks for continuing vocational education and training” Call, grants will support national authorities’ efforts to plan for or implement policy intervention in CVET with the aim to secure coherence and relevance of supply and significantly increase adults’ participation in learning. The activities shall engage relevant national, regional or local stakeholders, as well as drawing on the advice and expertise of peers from one or more Erasmus+ programme countries that have similar challenges or have effective CVET policies and provision.

Under the “Comprehensive policy frameworks for continuing vocational education and training” Call for proposals the following ones are considered eligible activities:

- feasibility studies, reviews of national/regional/local regulations on CVET, cost-benefit analysis,

- detailed action plans for developing and implementing a coherent policy framework for CVET,

- organising national/regional/local business forums to mobilise employers to invest in CVET,

- organising and/or participating in conferences, seminars and working groups,

- awareness-raising campaigns, valorisation and dissemination actions; activities that support the project’s sustainability,

- exchanges of good and/or innovative practices between countries through, e.g. targeted study visits,

- research activities,

- preparatory work to design effective interventions in CVET through the use of ESF or other relevant funds,

- communities of practice

The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of the action is estimated at EUR 4 200 000 maximum. Each grant will amount to between a maximum of EUR 150 000 for a 1-year and a maximum of EUR 300 000 for a 2-year project. The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (the ‘Agency’) expects to fund around 15 proposals. The EU grant is limited to a maximum co-financing rate of 75 % of eligible costs. The Agency reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.

The deadline for submitting proposals in the framework of the current “Comprehensive policy frameworks for continuing vocational education and training” call for proposals is 30 April 2015.