Erasmus+ Youth Mobility

This page explains what young people and youth workers can do on a Youth Exchange project and how to get involved. You can then sign up to our newsletter or come to an information session to find out more.

If you want to apply for funding, you will need to be familiar with the priorities of Erasmus+ . You will also need to read the Youth Mobility section of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide to understand the programme rules.

What is a Youth Exchange?

A ‘Youth Exchange is a type of Erasmus+ Mobility project. Youth organisations can send young people to another country to learn and develop their personal and professional skills.  Activities are intended to have a positive impact on the young people and organisations involved, the communities where they take place, the youth field itself and the European economic and societal sectors at large. Read the Youth Mobility section of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for a comprehensive overview of Youth mobility objectives.

Who Can Take Part in a Youth Exchange?

Any Youth organisation in Ireland, an informal group of young people, or an organisation active in the Youth field can apply to Léargas for funding.  Contact our Youth officers in the Programme Support and Development team if you have any questions about who can take part.

Erasmus+ Youth Mobility: Ballyfermot Youth Service's Story

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What Happens on a Youth Exchange?

Youth Exchanges are meetings of groups of young people from at least two different countries. They gather for a short period to jointly implement a non-formal learning programme on a topic of their interest, seeking inspiration from the European Youth Goals. Activities might include workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, simulations, and outdoor activities. As well as activities, the learning period includes a preparation phase and evaluation and follow-up after the exchange. Youth Exchanges are open to all young people, with a special focus on those with fewer opportunities. They aim to:

  • Foster intercultural dialogue and learning and feeling of being European
  • Develop skills and attitudes of young people
  • Strengthen European values and break down prejudices and stereotypes
  • Raise awareness about socially relevant topics and encourage engagement in society and active participation.

 

What is the Funding for a Youth Exchange? 

Erasmus+ funding is available to contribute to costs in distinct categories. These categories are the same for both short-term and accredited projects. The information here gives you an idea of the funding categories available, but you must check the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for full details.

Organisational Support – for preparing and managing all phases of the project

Travel – for return travel costs from participants’ home to venue of the activity

Individual Support – ‘subsistence’ costs for participants (for example, food and accommodation)

Inclusion Support – additional funding to enable people with fewer opportunities to take part

Preparatory Visits – covering travel and subsistence while taking part in a preparatory visit to establish the Youth Exchange

Exceptional Costs – such as costs for providing a financial guarantee, if the National Agency asks for it; or expensive travel costs (for example, when a participant is travelling to or from a very remote place).

There is no set amount of funding for a Youth Exchange. It is decided by the type of activities you apply for, and the amount of funding available. As a guideline, in 2020 projects received funding from varying from €9,000 to €63,000. See Guide to Your Funding for budget allocations in 2021.

 

How Does an Organisation Get Involved?

There are three ways:

  • Apply for a one-off project or a limited number of activities lasting three to 24 months
  • Become an accredited organisation with an ‘Erasmus Plan’, and apply for a series of projects over several years
  • Join a project as a partner organisation.

A Youth Exchange project is carried out by at least two organisations; a sending and receiving organisation. One of the organisations takes the role of coordinator and applies for the whole project on behalf of the partnership.

What Do We Need In Our Application?

All projects have four stages. You will need to outline these clearly in your application:

  • Planning – Define the needs, objectives and desired outcomes
  • Preparation – Establish the practicalities
  • Implementation – Carry out the activities
  • Follow-up – Evaluation and feedback.

You will need to read the Youth Mobility section of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for further details on these four stages.

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Youth Mobility Deadlines

February

23rd

Erasmus+ Mobility Deadline Spring 2023

Mobility for learners and staff in Adult Education, School Education, VET and Youth. Staff Mobility in the field of Sport. Apply by 11:00am Irish time.

May

4th

Erasmus+ Youth Mobility Deadline Summer 2023

Mobility projects in Youth. Apply by 11:00am Irish time.

October

4th

Erasmus+ Youth Mobility Deadline Autumn 2023

Mobility for Youth (Youth Exchanges, Mobility of Youth Workers, Youth Participation). Apply by 11:00am Irish time.

October

19th

Erasmus+ Accreditation Deadline 2023

Accreditation in Adult Education, School Education, VET and Youth. Apply by 11:00am Irish time.

Erasmus+ Youth Mobility: Youth Work Ireland Cork's Story

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Five Steps To Getting Involved

Step 1

Sign Up For Updates

Sign Up to our Newsletter and get regular updates on Erasmus+ events and supports organised by Léargas.  We will update you on training opportunities, project labs and application workshops that will empower you to take part in European Youth Work!

STEP 2

Join an Erasmus+ Training Activity

Sign up for an Erasmus+ Training Cooperation Activity or TCA.  These trainings happen at national and international level and are a great way to find partners for your project.

Register Now
STEP 3

Find Partners on OTLAS

Find European partners on SALTO’s Otlas database.

 

Step 4

Attend a Project Lab

Join us for a Project Lab and develop your project so that it benefits your young people and makes a difference at national and European level.

 

How Does an Organisation Find Courses and Partners?

Young people, youth workers and youth organisations should take advantage of the community-building platforms on the European Youth Portal. Eurodesk is also a great source of information for identifying mobility opportunities. Visit our Programme Results section to see which organisations have previously taken part.

What Are the Next Steps? 

Once the project is planned, the organisation or group of young people can submit an online application before the deadline. The application requires a lot of detail and organisations should allocate at least six weeks to plan and write it.

Léargas evaluate applications using strict Erasmus+ criteria. We contact applicants with our decision three months after the deadline. If your project is funded, the organisation receives a large proportion of the funding at the start of the project. The organisation then carries out the project and submits a Final Report on its progress. The remainder of the funding is paid when this Final Report is approved.

Read our section on Applying For Erasmus+ Mobility for more detail on the application process.

 

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Key Events

Erasmus+ KA1 Youth Application Clinic

This online event is for those planning an Erasmus+ KA1 Youth Exchange or Youth Worker mobility project under 4 May 2023 deadline.

Deadline: 28 March 2023

Application Clinic Youth Participation Activities and Solidarity Projects

This face to face application clinic in Dublin will prepare those making your application under Under Youth Patricipation and Solidarity Projects under the 04 May 2023 deadline.

Deadline: 12 April 2023

Léargas Gathering 2023 – Skills for Life

The annual Léargas Gathering is back! In line with previous participants’ feedback, our flagship event will take place earlier in the year, on 27 April 2023.

Deadline:

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for European Solidarity Corps

Join this online course and learn at your own pace about how you can take part in the European Solidarity Corps as a young person or organisation. Course runs until 06 November 2022!

Deadline: 30 June 2023

Latest Youth News

Impact of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria on the implementation of the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps

Due to the continuing technicalThe earthquakes that hit the vast territories of Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023 will have a major impact on the implementation of numerous projects financed by Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. The European Commission has confirmed that Léargas have the possibility to apply the force majeure as defined in the grant agreement for projects and mobilities facing difficulties due to this disaster. performance issues affecting the application forms for the ERASMUS+ KA2 Submissions, and after analysis of the options, the European Commission is extending the Call 2023 round 1 deadline from 22 March 2023 at 12h00 Brussels time to 24 March 2023 at 11h00 Irish time for the following applications:

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Meet The Team

Audrey Reilly

Support and Development Officer, Youth Exchanges, Youth Participation Activities, Youth Worker Mobility (01) 8871222

Daniel Abels

Support & Development Officer, Youth, Project Support All Fields (01) 8871257

Vacant

Inclusion & Diversity Officer

Emmanuelle Place

Senior Finance Officer (Acting), Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871207

Nicola Sherry

Operations Officer, Erasmus+ & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871212

Carlos Barceló

Operations Officer, Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871235

Seána Sweeney

Operations Officer, Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871237