A Quick Guide to Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Eligibility

Without eligible legal status your organisation cannot take part in Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps. This page defines who or what can take part in the programmes and provides some pointers about how to prove the legal status of your organisation.

We also advise you to read the Programme Guide for additional information about who can take part. In the guide you’ll find the information you need in Part C, Information for Applicants.

Leargás reserves the right to request additional documentation where required.

Eligible Entities

Company Limited By Guarantee/Shares

This may be indicated by any of the following:

• Ltd (Limited)
• DAC (Designated Activity Company)
• CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee)
• PLC (Public Limited Company)

All private companies are required to be fully compliant with Companies Act 2014, and your information may be independently verified​. To verify your information, Léargas reserve the right to request additional documentation where required​.

Companies incorporated under the Charities Act 1973

Public/Statutory Body

• Schools
• Colleges
• Universities
• Education and Training Boards (ETBs)
• County/Urban Councils
• Hospitals
• National Organisations such as Teagasc, Irish Prison Service, Health Service Executive, etc.

Trade Union

Co-operative

If registered in the Central Registration Office (CRO).

Trusts

Note: we cannot contract directly with the Trust but must contract with the Trustees individually and collectively.

Individuals

For Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps only, when representing informal groups of young people (European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ Key Actions 152, 153, 154, 155 only).  For the European Solidarity Corps ESC 30 also can qualify. Informal group participants must be under the age of 30 and must be represented by one individual who takes legal responsibility for the project.

For Erasmus+, an informal group is of at least four young people between the ages of 13-30, one of the group members over 18 assumes the role as a representative on behalf of the group. If all members are under 18, then they can have an adult rep.

For the European Solidarity Corps, an informal group is made up of at least five people aged between 18-30 years old.

What proves eligibility?

• Memorandum and Articles/Cert of Incorporation
• Registration as a company with the CRO
• Registration with Registrar of Friendly Societies as per CRO
• Passport or legal form of identification for individual
  (youth field representative only)
• School Roll number
• Legal correspondence proving status as a legal entity (e.g.
  official letter from the Department to the school)
• The constitution/responsibilities of the group and list of
  group members (youth field only)

What does not prove eligibility?

• Registration of business name on CRO
• Constitution
• Receipt of grants from Government Departments/EU
• Registration as a charity
• Previous grants from Léargas
• Tax registration/Tax Clearance Certificate

Non Eligibile Entities

Individual

Unless the person is a Youth representative.

Sole trader, self-employed person

Voluntary Group/Association/Organisation

(unless it is a limited company)

Businesses that are not limited

Unincorporated Associations

Partnerships or Limited Partnerships

An individual referring to him/herself as an organisation

SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) unless it is a limited company

What to do if you are not listed as an eligible entity

• Apply as an individual on behalf of an informal group of young people (Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps only, for relevant Key Actions)
• Form a Limited Company/Co-operative
• Get an eligible entity to apply on your behalf e.g. Umbrella body