Capacity Building in Higher Education

These projects are based on multilateral partnerships between organisations – usually higher education institutions – from the EU, European countries associated to the programme, and from other countries or regions around the world.

Together these partnerships design new university courses and teaching modules, train staff or develop internationalisation and governance in partner countries.

The impact of these projects is often wider than the scope of their action – they increase cooperation with the EU and promote intercultural awareness. They make a wider contribution to development by boosting academic disciplines that are important for the development of the partner countries involved.

145 Projects Selected

The 145 Erasmus+ capacity building for higher education projects recommended for funding provide good examples of

1.  it’s not all about student mobility – the programme also funds international cooperation projects
2. Erasmus+ fosters cooperation with countries all over the world

The final decision on these proposals is subject to the completion of the grant award procedure in line with the timeline indicated in the call for proposals and will be published on the Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal.

Apply for the Next Round

Interested in applying? The 2023 calls will open in mid-November. Check the Funding and Tenders Portal to apply.

You can read more about Erasmus+ capacity building for higher education projects from before 2022 and their results on the Erasmus+ project results platform.

Read also

Training on GloRe Platform for Volunteering Certification | Open to Organisations’ Staff

Digital Transformation | A Series of Panels by SALTO Youth

L'articolo Projects Selected for Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education Funding proviene da Youth Networks.

EACEA is the Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. It deals with projects in education, training, youth, sport, audiovisual, culture, citizenship and humanitarian aid. On behalf of the European Commission, EACEA strives to foster innovation in these areas, always in a spirit of cross-border cooperation and mutual respect.

Creative Europe MEDIA and Cross-Sectoral

The EACEA’s funding programmes for the period 2021-2027 are:

• Erasmus+;
• Creative Europe;
• the European Solidary Corps;
• the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV).

All the calls for proposals under the Creative Europe MEDIA and Cross-sectoral Strands are open.

Creative Europe Online Info-Sessions

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) organises online Info Sessions to explain the new funding opportunities and application process. The info-sessions that happened in the past are besides already available for consultation. There you can find a general presentation and video on how to apply for funding.

For example, the useful recording of “The Funding & tenders Portal for beginners” webinar is already available, and could make a difference for anyone dealing for the first time with a project under the Creative Europe Programme.

Full guidance on applying for funding opportunities can be found the F&TP online manual, which contains useful information on registering your organisation and preparing your application.

Read also

The New EACEA Website Is Live

New EACEA Brochure Available To Download

L'articolo Creative Europe Programme: EACEA Online Info-Sessions proviene da Youth Networks.

Meaning “massive open online course”, the MOOC is an online course available on S.A.L.T.O. Youth. It provides an e-learning process on a canvas platform, upon enrollment. Its development comes from the collaboration of S.A.L.T.O. Youth with the National Agencies.

The currently available MOOC is on the Erasmus Plus funding opportunities for youth. And it covers the 3 Key Actions of the Erasmus Programme.

Open Online Course

After enrollment, the applicant can freely use the learning resources at any time from any device. The access is open to an unlimited number of participants and provides interactive course materials such as videos, online forums, quizzes, reading lists and publication references.

Not to forget that it is also an opportunity for organsiations to build networks and partnerships.

The ideal participants for the MOOC on Erasmus Plus funding opportunities for youth are: project managers, youth workers, youth leaders, plus anybody with an interest in the youth field, from Erasmus+ Programme and Partner countries.

Course’s Contents

The course goes through the basics of youth work and gives an overview of youth work practices and policies across Europe. The organisations can learn about the best practices in the field, share their own experience and get to know others’ experiences in the field.

It provides 6 thematic modules:

1. Introduction to Erasmus+: Youth in Action;
2. KA1 Youth Exchanges;
3. KA1 Mobility of youth Workers;
4. KA2 Strategic partnership;
5. KA3 Structured Dialogue Projects;
6. Erasmus+ Youth in Action Application procedures.

The creators keep the contents up-to-date, allowing participants to get the best knowledge possible on Erasmus Plus for youth, together with the changes that come along. Each module sees from 7 to 9 sessions, offering different interactive learning content.

Enroll To the Erasmus Funding Course

Everything is available on a Canvas Platform. It necessary to register upon application.

The course has a potential commitment of around 3-4 hours per week, for 5-6 weeks duration. To start off, please register or log-in to the Canvas platform.

Read also

TOOL: Soft-Skills Development

Tools: Otlas, Find Your Partner Organisations

L'articolo MOOC: Erasmus Funding Opportunities proviene da Youth Networks.

Should Russia evetually leave the CoE, in fact, this last one could be discontinued after 2020. The alternative would be a partial agreement on voluntary basis according to the will of the member states (with extra funding needed). The formal committee will meet on 23 May, after some informal consultations. In the meantime, the affected stakeholders did not stay quiet.

The reactions

The European Youth Forum, together with representatives from the major Political Party Youth Organisations active in Europe and beyond, released a public statement denouncing the cut:

The news is spreading across Europe and the Youth organisations are already clustering to prevent the cuts that are going to affect the Youth sector. The Youth department of the Council of Europe, that works closely to the European Commission in many co-operation projects, is as much pivotal as the European Union for the education of the new generations of Europeans. The fact that political matters, as the ones behind the decision from Russia and Turkey are, can affect the core of European values, is what is being contested.

The Youth department of the CoE

The international organisation of the Council of Europe was founded in 1949 by 47 countries. It aims at fostering human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Since 1972, the works within the Youth Department are managend in co-operation with the Advisory Council. This is made up of 30 representatives from youth NGOs and networks who provide opinions and input on all youth sector activities, together with setting the priorities and suggestions.

It also ensures that young people are involved in other activities of the Council of Europe. Here, representatives of the governements of the member states work closely with young people, who are then in the position of being able to influence important decisions on the functioning of the Youth Department. That is why it is so important to push for a better understanding of the issue: the more we know, the more we can make an impact.

L'articolo The youth department of Council of Europe is in danger due to financial cuts proviene da Youth Networks.

• Lot 1 – Sector Skills Alliances for the development of sectoral approaches through “Platforms of vocational excellence” – indicative total budget: EUR 6 000 000 (maximum EU contribution for a project of 2 years: EUR 1 000 000);
• Lot 2 – Sector Skills Alliances for design and delivery of VET- indicative total budget: EUR 5 500 000 (maximum EU contribution for a project of 2 years:
  EUR 700 000 or maximum EU contribution for a project of 3 years: EUR 1 000 000);
• Lot 3 – Sector Skills Alliances for implementing a new strategic approach (Blueprint) to sectoral cooperation on skills – indicative total budget: EUR 24 000 000 (maximum EU contribution for a project of 4 years: EUR 4 000 000).

More information are available on EACEA website. For a quick overview on all the grants and calls for organisations working in the field of Erasmus+ projects, visit our dedicated page.

L'articolo Erasmus+, additional funds for Sector Skills Alliances proviene da Youth Networks.

Indirect funding

Nearly 80% out of the total of EU budget is managed through national or regional authorities, and these are the indirect funds.

Associations and organisations can apply for such funding through five different funds, all falling under the European Structural and Investment Fund. These are:

• European Regional Development Fund – regional and urban development;
• European Social Fund – social inclusion and good governance;
  
• Cohesion Fund – economic convergence by less-developed regions;
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development;
  
• European Maritime and Fisheries Fund;

The so called “managing authorities” must be addressed to in the member State where the organisation has its main headquarter.

Direct funding

The direct funding is the one managed by the European Commission, without any intermediary institution. There are two kinds of funds: the grants, that usually follow a call for proposals, refer to projects that relate to European policies. Any business or association working in the field can answer the call, as long as it runs projects fostering the interests of the EU or implement EU programmes or policies.

The contracts are slighlty different types of funding, issued by EU institutions to buy services, goods or works that they need for their operations – such as studies, training, conference organisation or IT equipment.

For these last kind of funding, associations can apply through the new Funding and Tenders portal.

L'articolo Quick overview on EU funding possibilities proviene da Youth Networks.

These projects aim to recognize and improve youth work, non-formal learning and volunteering and link them to education systems and the labour market. Even more, KA2 also support regional and transnational non-formal learning mobility schemes to encourage the participation of youth in society.

Examples of capacity building activities
* Conferences, workshops and meetings
* Similarly large-scale youth events
* Information and awareness campaigns
* Communication and media tools
* Even more, development of methods, curricula, training and documentation such as Youthpass
* Open and flexible learning materials, virtual cooperation, open educational resources (OER)

What does Erasmus+ KA2 supports – Capacity Building

* Promote cooperation between:
* youth organisations and public authorities in Partner Countries
* youth organisations in education and training and the business and labour market
* Even more, strengthen youth councils, youth platforms and authorities in Partner Countries (local, regional, national)
* Furthermore, support the overall operation of youth organisations in Partner Countries
* Also help implement youth work practices which include:
* tools for the development of youth works and trainers,
* non-formal learning methods to improve skills,
* new training schemes, flexible learning, virtual mobility and better ICT
* peer learning activities to improve the leadership of youth organisations

Profile of applicants
First of all, a participating organisation can be any public or private organisation based in a Programme Country or an eligible Partner Country.

This includes the following:
* a non-profit organisation, association, NGO (including European Youth NGOs)
* Similarly a national Youth Council
* a public body at local, regional or national level
* a school/institute/educational centre (at any level, from pre-school to upper secondary education, and including vocational education and adult education);
* a public or private, a small, medium or large enterprise (including social enterprises)
* a social partner or other representative of working life, including chambers of commerce
* craft/professional associations and trade unions
* a higher education institution
* a research institute
* a foundation
* an inter-company training centre
* a cultural organisation, library, museum
* a body providing professional counselling and information services.

Deadline for submission
8 March 2018 at 12pm (CET – midday) while projects must start between: 1 July 2018 and 31 December 2018

The maximum grant that can be awarded is 150 000 EUR.

L'articolo Capacity building in the field of Youth proviene da Youth Networks.

What type of activities the strands supports

The strand – Democratic engagement and civic participation offer grants to:
– Activities covering civic participation, focusing in particular on European Union policies
– Initiatives developing opportunities for mutual understanding, intercultural learning, solidarity, societal engagement and volunteering at EU level

For that reason, it includes three specific measures:
Town twinning – supporting projects bringing together citizens from twinned towns. By mobilising citizens at local and EU levels to debate on concrete issues from the European political agenda, this measure will seek to promote civic participation in the EU policy making process and develop opportunities for societal engagement and volunteering.
Networks of towns – providing funding to municipalities and associations working together on a common theme in a long term perspective, and wishing to develop networks of towns to make their cooperation more sustainable
Civil society projects – supporting projects gathering citizens in activities directly linked to EU policies, providing an opportunity for direct participation in the policy making process. Funded activities may include: promotion of societal engagement and solidarity, gathering of opinions, volunteering.

Type of grants available under the umbrella of Europe for Citizens

For actions with a limited lifetime during which proposed specific activities are implemented
Town twinning (town/municipalities and non-profit organisations representing local authorities):
* The maximum eligible grant for a project is 25 000 EUR
* The maximum project duration is 21 days
Networks of towns (Town/municipalities or their twinning committees or networks, other levels of local/regional authorities, federations/associations of local authorities, non-profit organisations representing local authorities:
* The maximum eligible grant for a project is 150 000 EUR
* The maximum project duration is 24 months
Civil society projects (Non-profit organisations, including civil society organisations, educational, cultural or research institutions):
* The maximum eligible grant for a project is 150 000 EUR
* The maximum project duration is 18 months

In order to apply, you must create an EULogin (European Commission Authentication Service) account. Furthermore, each organisation involved in your project (applicant and partners) must register in the Participant portal and receive a Participant Identification Code (PIC). The PIC will be requested in the application form. To access the Participants’ portal, you will need your EULogin username and password.
Finally, create your official electronic application form, also called the eForm. To create your eForm, your will be asked to go through the follow steps, without interruption:
* Select the funding opportunity
* Even more select a language option
* Select the organisation(s) participating in your proposed activity (applicant and partners)
* Even more create the application eForm
* Above all save the application eForm to your local computer or network drive
* Finally fill in the e-form and save regularly

Your project has better chances to be approved it it has consistency with the objectives of the Programme and Programme strand, quality of the activity plan of the project, a good dissemination plan and a real impact and citizen involvement.

Read more here.

L'articolo Europe for citizens – how to access the Programme proviene da Youth Networks.

People most affected by a problem are in the best position to determine the solutions. Therefore, leadership development is an essential component of social change work.
True change occurs only when underlying, systemic forces are understood and addressed.
Grassroots, constituent-led organizing is among the most effective means to create social change. They define organizing as collective action from the bottom up that challenges the status quo, demands changes in policy and practice, educates communities about root causes, and advocates and agitates for systemic and just solutions.
Finally, lasting change occurs when Social Justice Movements are built from the ground up and grassroots groups come together across sectors and constituencies to work for the common principles of Human Rights and Justice for All.
Furthermore, the Grassroots Organizing for Social Change program supports organizations that share and embody this theory of change.

Application process for Grassroots nonprofit

Step 1 – Above all, carefully read guidelines – Familiarize yourself with what we fund, our priorities & restrictions, to ensure a good fit
Step 2 – Complete Pre-application by reviewing grant cycles. Register or Log in to their platform to complete pre-application
Step 3 – Even more, complete the full proposal – If invited, submit full proposal by relevant deadline

Guidelines and priorities
The Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program offers general or project support to non-profit organizations throughout the United States. The one-year grants for up to $25,000 is for organizations with budgets under $500,000. Only organizations with 501(c)3 status, or who have a fiscal agent with this status are eligible to apply.
The foundations goals are to further social and environmental justice and support sustainable and just food systems. Therefore, they focus on the types of activities and strategies an organization uses for creating social change rather than on the specific issues the organization is addressing.

So, they will only consider proposals from grassroots, constituent-led organizations that are using community-organizing and base-building strategies to accomplish their goals.

Priority Strategies Areas

* Community & ally outreach
* Leadership development
* Constituent empowerment &
decision-making
* Popular education
* Root cause analysis
* Power analysis
* Campaign development
* Mobilizing constituents & allies
* Coalition building
* Direct action
Applications are to be submitted through their online grant management system This tutorial can be useful.

Deadlines
Once you have determined that your organization fits their funding guidelines and funding priorities, you will need to submit the application by October 15, 2018.

Read more here. Also, discover more grants here.

L'articolo Grassroots NGOs – Call for projects proviene da Youth Networks.

What are Lifeline Advocacy Grants?
Lifeline rapid response advocacy grants give local nonprofits the resources to push back against closures of civic space as they arise. Lifeline advocacy grants are highly flexible, and can support a wide variety of activities: community mobilization, policy and legal analysis, civil society coalition building, strategic litigation, awareness raising campaigns, and advocacy capacity building.

Applications can be made directly to CIVICUS.

The CIVICUS Crisis Response Fund, established in 2007, serves as a mechanism for mobilizing quick, principled and effective advocacy responses to events that threaten civil society’s fundamental right to associate and assemble freely.

Advocacy supported through the Crisis Response Fund
The Crisis Response Fund will provide small grants of 10,000 USD maximum to primarily national civil society organisations in order to conduct advocacy activities over a course of a maximum of 6 months. These activities, designed by the applying organization, should be relevant and have the largest chance of bringing about positive change. These activities could be, but are not limited to:

– National workshops with civil society actors to discuss and plan advocacy strategies, such as to repeal restrictive legislation;
– Advocacy meetings with decision makers at to give recommendations on how to ensure freedom of association and assembly within the given context;
– Public engagement campaigns conducted via social media, traditional media or alternative advocacy tools;
– Fact-finding and report publication with the aim of conducting evidence-based advocacy;
– Regional networking with other civil societies under siege to exchange best practices and share legal expertise;
– Solidarity visits or missions by international high level bodies and/or celebrities.

How to apply
1. Please read the Crisis Response Fund Guidelines and Protocols document to know the criteria for applying
2. Complete the Crisis Response Fund Application Form
3. Complete the Crisis Response Fund Budget.
4. Email the completed Crisis Response Fund Application Form and the Crisis Response Fund Budget to crisis.response@civicus.org

Download the documents here or  discover other advocacy grants here.

L'articolo Civil society organisations, supported by Lifeline proviene da Youth Networks.