ERASMUS+ PROGRAMME: NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

The new framework of the Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027 has opened up opportunities for the vocational education and training (VET) institutions from the Republic of Moldova. Therefore, they can participate in capacity building in the field of vocational education and training projects (CBVET), but also in International Credit Mobilities (ICM).

Capacity building projects are international cooperation actions, based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of VET in the countries associated to the Erasmus + Programme (EU states, Iceland, North Macedonia, Turkey, Norway, Serbia and Liechtenstein), and from third countries not associated with the programme, such as the Republic of Moldova. They aim to support the relevance, accessibility, and responsiveness of VET institutions and systems in third countries not associated to the Programme as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development.

Starting with 2022, the international credit mobility projects are also accessible for VET institutions from the Republic of Moldova. This supports a wide range of mobility activities, including direct observation at work, professional development courses for staff, internships, invited expert activities etc. At the initial stage, the respective projects will involve the mobility of staff from the EU institutions to those from the Republic of Moldova.

Since December 2021, the National Erasmus+ Office in Moldova has organised a series of information events aimed at promoting new opportunities in the Erasmus+ 2022 call for proposals. Particular attention was paid to the projects aimed for institutions in the field of VET from Moldova. During January-March, Q&A sessions were held for colleges, vocational schools and centres of excellence that declared their intention to participate in the CBVET and ICM projects under the Erasmus+ 2022 call.

Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. The Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027 was approved with an almost doubled budget of 26.2 billion euros, compared to the 2014-2020 edition. Thus, the new Erasmus+ will support study mobility and cross-border cooperation projects for 10 million beneficiaries of all ages worldwide. The program aims to become more inclusive, more digital and green, to support the resilience of the education process in pandemic conditions, while encouraging active citizenship and a more dynamic participation in democratic life.