How will Erasmus+ fund my youth project?

Between now and 2020, Erasmus+ aims to help 500,000 young people and 800,000 youth workers across Europe to volunteer abroad, take part in a youth exchange, or train abroad. If you work with young people and are looking for opportunities, then it’s definitely worth finding out how Erasmus+ can help. 

Can I apply?

The basic requirement is that you’re part of a UK organisation working with young people aged between 13 and 30. But there are individual requirements for each of the Erasmus+ Key Action activities, so please refer to each section for full details.

What kind of projects get funded?

The Erasmus+ programme for the youth sector is split in three ways into 'Key Actions':

Take young people abroad (Key Action 1 - Mobility)

As the name suggests, Key Action 1 is about getting out and about, and experiencing other countries. It could be a youth exchange, a volunteering trip through the European Voluntary Service, or some additional training and networking for youth workers. And whether it lasts for a few days or a whole year, Erasmus+ can help you with the funding of it.

Find out if your group is eligible.

Bring organisations together to improve youth work (Key Action 2 - Strategic partnerships)

Key Action 2 is all about bringing together youth organisations from around Europe to open up opportunities, improve skills and share new thinking. The partnerships could last anything between six months and three years, and include a range of activities: from developing new practices and ideas to arranging joint training events. A minimum of three partners from three different European countries must be involved and you could be entitled to a grant of up to €150,000 a year.

Find out more about strategic partnerships.

Bring together young people and policy/decision makers (Key Action 3 - Structured dialogue)

Structured dialogue is about understanding different points of view and letting people have their opinions heard. By bringing young people together with the policy and decision-makers we can gain a more rounded understanding of how to make things better. This takes place through conferences, debates and seminars around Europe, with individual projects lasting between three months and two years. 

Find out more about structured dialogue.

When is the deadline?

There are three application rounds every year. See a full list of upcoming dates here, or sign up to the Erasmus+ enewsletter for the latest news.

Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. In the UK it is managed by the UK National Agency, a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK.

Back to Erasmus+ opportunities.