# C_2010085EN.01001701.xml

| 31.3.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 85/17 |
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31.3.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 85/17

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS — EACEA/09/10

Under the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) — Leonardo da Vinci Programme

Award of grants to support national projects for the development of a national approach to improve the quality assurance of vocational education and training (VET) systems by promoting and developing the use of the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework in vocational education and training

2010/C 85/09

1.   Objectives and description

Objectives and description

The purpose of this call for proposals is to award grants to bodies responsible for the implementation of a national strategy for improving quality-assurance systems and for promoting and developing the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework in order to help these bodies in their task and in promoting the development of a quality culture among stakeholders in the field of vocational education and training.

In particular, ‘bodies responsible for the implementation of a national strategy for improving quality-assurance systems and for promoting and developing the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework’ refers to the national reference points. The aim is to assist these reference points in bringing together the competent bodies in the field and in involving the representative bodies of management and labour and all national and regional stakeholders in order to ensure that the adopted initiatives are followed up.

The aim of the call for proposals is to award grants for activities designed to promote and develop the reference framework. Each proposal will comprise two types of activity, which must be combined, namely:

| — | development and coordination of specific projects testing and/or promoting the use of the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework within and between countries and targeting improvements in the quality of systems and the delivery of training, |
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development and coordination of specific projects testing and/or promoting the use of the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework within and between countries and targeting improvements in the quality of systems and the delivery of training,

| — | development, at various levels, of bodies responsible for shaping policy and for the practical implementation of quality-assurance initiatives in the field of VET as well as formation of networks of such bodies. |
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development, at various levels, of bodies responsible for shaping policy and for the practical implementation of quality-assurance initiatives in the field of VET as well as formation of networks of such bodies.

2.   Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants

The following may respond to this call for proposals:

| — | the bodies, establishments, institutions or competent public authorities responsible directly, or on behalf of a supervisory authority, for implementing the Recommendation on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET (2009/C 155/01), and in particular the national reference points and the institutions to which they are attached, |
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the bodies, establishments, institutions or competent public authorities responsible directly, or on behalf of a supervisory authority, for implementing the Recommendation on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET (2009/C 155/01), and in particular the national reference points and the institutions to which they are attached,

| — | the authorities responsible for the quality control of VET (ministries, inspectorates, agencies, etc.), where they are involved in implementing the reference framework. |
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the authorities responsible for the quality control of VET (ministries, inspectorates, agencies, etc.), where they are involved in implementing the reference framework.

In all cases, both the applicant organisation and its partners must produce evidence that they have the institutional legitimacy to enter into commitments and to act on technical, political and operational levels in the fields of vocational education and training, particularly as regards quality assurance, and, more specifically, in the testing, development and implementation of the reference framework, in accordance with the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Funding requests may be submitted only by consortia comprising at least four bodies from at least four eligible countries.

Applicants, including all of their partner organisations, must be established in one of the following countries:

| — | the 27 Member States of the European Union, |
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the 27 Member States of the European Union,

| — | the three countries belonging to EFTA and the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), |
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the three countries belonging to EFTA and the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway),

| — | Turkey. |
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Turkey.

At least one of the countries represented in the partnership must be a Member State of the European Union.

Negotiations are taking place with Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Switzerland with a view to their future participation in the Lifelong Learning Programme, which will depend on the outcome of these negotiations. Please consult the website of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency for updated lists of participating countries.

3.   Eligible activities

Eligible activities

The following activities are eligible for funding under this call for proposals:

| — | development of guidelines for vocational education and training systems, particularly certification systems designed to guarantee the quality of the various processes, |
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development of guidelines for vocational education and training systems, particularly certification systems designed to guarantee the quality of the various processes,

| — | devising of tools and instruments for implementing the quality-assurance reference framework applying to the various stakeholders (training providers, particularly in the field of initial vocational training), |
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devising of tools and instruments for implementing the quality-assurance reference framework applying to the various stakeholders (training providers, particularly in the field of initial vocational training),

| — | activities, such as national or regional conferences, seminars and workshops, designed to raise awareness of quality assurance in VET and in particular of the reference framework, within the scope of a studied and well-thought-out communication strategy that will be presented as part of the project, the aim being to promote the development of a quality culture among stakeholders in the field of vocational education and training, |
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activities, such as national or regional conferences, seminars and workshops, designed to raise awareness of quality assurance in VET and in particular of the reference framework, within the scope of a studied and well-thought-out communication strategy that will be presented as part of the project, the aim being to promote the development of a quality culture among stakeholders in the field of vocational education and training,

| — | studies into the implementation at national level of one or more of the indicators in Annex II to the Recommendation on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET, in close coordination with the work performed at European level within the European Network for Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (ENQA-VET), |
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studies into the implementation at national level of one or more of the indicators in Annex II to the Recommendation on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET, in close coordination with the work performed at European level within the European Network for Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (ENQA-VET),

| — | dissemination of reference tools and materials that already exist or are yet to be developed (self-assessment guides, guide to implementing a quality-based approach, etc.), |
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dissemination of reference tools and materials that already exist or are yet to be developed (self-assessment guides, guide to implementing a quality-based approach, etc.),

| — | organisation of seminars or workshops on the mechanisms and implementation of the reference framework in order to ensure the development of a quality culture and in particular the appropriation of the reference framework, |
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organisation of seminars or workshops on the mechanisms and implementation of the reference framework in order to ensure the development of a quality culture and in particular the appropriation of the reference framework,

| — | review, testing and transfer of innovative tools and practices in the area of quality assurance in vocational education and training and in particular tools designed within ENQA-VET, |
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review, testing and transfer of innovative tools and practices in the area of quality assurance in vocational education and training and in particular tools designed within ENQA-VET,

| — | establishment or reinforcement of stable consortia or cooperation platforms involving institutions, authorities and competent bodies (compiling joint work programmes, devising cooperation procedures, etc.). |
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establishment or reinforcement of stable consortia or cooperation platforms involving institutions, authorities and competent bodies (compiling joint work programmes, devising cooperation procedures, etc.).

The minimum duration of projects is 18 months, and the maximum duration is 36 months. Activities must begin in the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 March 2011.

4.   Award criteria

Award criteria

Eligible applications and projects will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

| | Criterion 1: Relevance
  Relevance of content and planned outcome, including impact on and diversity of stakeholders involved, as compared to the objectives of the call and follow-up provided, as well as consistency with the specifications on the reference framework for quality assurance contained in the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council (30 %). |
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Criterion 1: Relevance

Relevance of content and planned outcome, including impact on and diversity of stakeholders involved, as compared to the objectives of the call and follow-up provided, as well as consistency with the specifications on the reference framework for quality assurance contained in the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council (30 %).

| | Criterion 2: Quality of methodology
  Quality of methods, tools and practical approaches proposed to develop practical projects, including, if required, reference to earlier work and studies done in the field of quality assurance, the European level and analysis of the aptitude to transfer and develop outcomes (30 %). |
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Criterion 2: Quality of methodology

Quality of methods, tools and practical approaches proposed to develop practical projects, including, if required, reference to earlier work and studies done in the field of quality assurance, the European level and analysis of the aptitude to transfer and develop outcomes (30 %).

| | Criterion 3: Quality of work programme
  Quality of work programme, project timetable and assessment plan (clarity of objectives and compatibility with means proposed) (10 %). |
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Criterion 3: Quality of work programme

Quality of work programme, project timetable and assessment plan (clarity of objectives and compatibility with means proposed) (10 %).

| | Criterion 4: Budget
  Clarity of budget and its compatibility with the work plan and cost-benefit ratio (10 %). |
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Criterion 4: Budget

Clarity of budget and its compatibility with the work plan and cost-benefit ratio (10 %).

| | Criterion 5: Partnership
  Number, profiles, quality, legitimacy and commitment level of partners (10 %). |
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Criterion 5: Partnership

Number, profiles, quality, legitimacy and commitment level of partners (10 %).

| | Criterion 6: Interaction
  Work methods proposed between partners and the effective interaction among partnership members in achieving the objectives mentioned above (10 %). |
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Criterion 6: Interaction

Work methods proposed between partners and the effective interaction among partnership members in achieving the objectives mentioned above (10 %).

5.   Budget

Budget

The total estimated budget allocated to the part-funding of projects will amount to EUR 1 200 000.

The amount of the funding granted per project will be between EUR 50 000 and EUR 200 000 per project.

The financial contribution of the Agency cannot exceed 75 % of total eligible costs.

The Agency reserves the right to refrain from allocating all of its available funds.

6.   Submission deadline

Submission deadline

The deadline for sending applications is 16 July 2010. Forms dispatched after that date will not be considered.

Applications are to be sent to the following address:

| Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency |
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| Lifelong Learning Programme, Leonardo da Vinci |
| Call for proposals EACEA/09/10 |
| Avenue du Bourget 1 |
| BOU2 2/145 |
| 1140 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

Lifelong Learning Programme, Leonardo da Vinci

Call for proposals EACEA/09/10

Avenue du Bourget 1

BOU2 2/145

1140 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Applications will not be accepted unless they are submitted on the appropriate form, which must be duly completed (parts 1, 2 and 3 of the application package), are dated and show a balanced budget (revenue/expenditure), complete with the required annexes, including documentary evidence of the applicant’s operational and financial capacity, which are to be submitted in four copies (one original clearly identified as such and three certified copies) and be signed by the person authorised to commit the applicant body legally.

In addition to the paper version, an electronic version of the application package (application form, financial tables and declaration on honour) without the annexes must be sent before the above-mentioned deadline to the following e-mail address: EACEA-leonardo-da-vinci@ec.europa.eu

Applications sent by fax or by electronic mail only will not be considered.

7.   Full information

Full information

Detailed guidelines for applicants and application forms can be found on the following web page:

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/funding/2010/call_eqavet_en.php

Applications must be submitted with the aid of the prescribed form and must contain all the required annexes and information.

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