Call for proposals — EACEA/05/14 — Erasmus+ programme — Civil society cooperation
Date: 2014-01-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, civil society, cooperation in the field of education, invitation to tender, student mobility, vocational training, youth policy








C_2014026EN.01000601.xml










29.1.2014   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 26/6






CALL FOR PROPOSALS — EACEA/05/14
Erasmus+ programme
Civil society cooperation
2014/C 26/07
INTRODUCTION
Cooperation with civil society organisations in the fields of education, training and youth is important for raising awareness about the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy for growth and jobs, the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET2020’), the EU Youth Strategy and other European sector-specific policy agendas. It is vital for securing the active involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of policy reforms in the different countries, for promoting their participation in the Erasmus+ programme and other European programmes and for disseminating policy and programme results and good practice through their extensive membership networks.
In this framework, the present call for proposals will provide funding through the two following lots:






1.


Civil society cooperation in the field of education and training (lot 1)










2.


Civil society cooperation in the field of youth (lot 2)




Please note that an organisation can submit only one application under this call for proposals, either for lot 1 or lot 2, but not for both.

COMMON ELEMENTS APPLICABLE TO BOTH LOTS

1.   General objectives

The objective of the present call is to provide structural support, referred to as operating grant, to European non-governmental organisations (ENGOs) and EU-wide networks active in the field of education and training or in the field of youth and pursuing the following general aims:






—


raise stakeholder awareness of European policy agendas in education, training and youth, in particular ‘Europe 2020’, ‘Education and training 2020’, the EU Youth Strategy and other sector-specific policy agendas,










—


increase stakeholder commitment and cooperation with public authorities for the implementation of policies and reforms in the fields of education and training and of youth, in particular of the country-specific recommendations issued in the framework of the European Semester,










—


boost stakeholder participation in the field of education, training and youth,










—


boost stakeholder commitment in the dissemination of policy and programme actions and results and of good practice among their membership.




2.   Eligibility

2.1.   Eligible applicants

This call is open to two categories of bodies:






—


category 1: European non-governmental organisations (ENGO) in the field of education and training or in the field of youth,










—


category 2: EU-wide networks in the field of education and training or in the field of youth.




To be eligible, applicants must:






—


be non-governmental,










—


be not-for profit-making,










—


have at least one (salaried or non-salaried) member of staff (full-time equivalent).




Please refer to the detailed definitions of the two categories of eligible applicants provided under each lot.
Neither Erasmus+ national agencies nor organisations having overwhelmingly Erasmus+ national agencies as members (2/3 OR more) are eligible organisations under this call.
2.2.   Eligible countries

Applications from legal entities established in one of the following countries are eligible:






—


EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom,










—


the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Swiss Confederation subject to a bilateral agreement being concluded with this country,










—


candidate countries for which a pre-accession strategy has been established, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions laid down in the framework agreements concluded with those countries with a view to their participation in EU programmes: former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey.




3.   Award criteria

The quality of eligible applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria (1):






—


relevance (maximum 30 points),










—


quality of the work plan's design and implementation (maximum 20 points),










—


profile, number of participants and countries involved in the activities (maximum 20 points),










—


impact, dissemination and sustainability (maximum 30 points).




Only those applications that score at least half of the maximum points in each of the award criteria mentioned above (i.e. minimum 15 points for the criteria ‘relevance’ and ‘impact, dissemination and sustainability’, 10 points for the criteria ‘quality of the work plan's design and implementation’ and ‘profile, number of participants and countries involved in the activities’) will be considered for funding.
4.   Budget

The present call for proposals aims at the selection of organisations for the conclusion of annual operating grant agreements covering the budget year 2014.
The total EU budget for the co-financing of cooperation with civil society is EUR 5 800 000.
The Commission reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.
5.   Submission of applications

Applications must be made using an online grant application form (eForm).
The official online grant application form (eForm) is available in English, French and German at the following Internet address:
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/funding/call-for-proposals-eacea052014-erasmusplus-ka3-support-for-policy-reform-civil_en
and must be duly completed in one of the official languages of the EU.
The online application form duly completed must be submitted online by 12.00 (noon, Brussels time) on 17 March 2014, including the relevant annexes (2):






1.


budget;










2.


declaration on honour;










3.


financial identification form.




6.   Additional information

Applications must comply with the provisions contained in the Applicants' Guidelines — call for proposals EACEA/05/14, presented on the Internet at the following address:
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/funding/call-for-proposals-eacea052014-erasmusplus-ka3-support-for-policy-reform-civil_en
LOT 1

Civil society cooperation: education and training

1.   Specific objectives

The organisations active in the field of education and training are expected to:






—


promote the learner-centred provision of basic and transversal skills and competences, including languages, digital and entrepreneurship skills and raise awareness of open educational resources (OER),










—


support the implementation of reforms to reduce early school leaving (ESL), foster social inclusion and enhance the professional profile of school teachers and trainers,










—


promote European transparency and recognition tools and the re- and up-skilling of low-skilled adults; promote the development of quality vocational education and training (VET) systems involving work-based learning; promote partnerships between learning providers, companies and social partners and actions to align VET policies with economic development strategies; promote new qualification paths in potential growth areas or areas with skills shortages,










—


support the implementation of the EU agenda for the modernisation of higher education and higher education internationalisation strategies,










—


promote analyses and debates at European, national and regional level on efficient and sustainable investment in education and training at European and national level; explore/develop innovative funding approaches.




2.   Applicant bodies

Category 1: European non-governmental organisation (ENGO)
In the context of lot 1, applicant organisations (ENGOs), must be active in one of the sectors of education (early childhood education, general education, vocational learning, higher education, adult learning), or in key cross-sectorial European education and training priorities, or with representative stakeholders (e.g. students, teachers, trainers, parents, etc.). They must:






—


operate through a formally recognised structure, composed of a) European body/secretariat (the applicant) legally established for at least 2 years in a programme country on the date of submission of the application and b) national organisations/branches in at least 12 programme countries having a statutory link with the European body/secretariat,










—


be active in the field of education and training and run activities that support the implementation of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET2020’),










—


be independent of public authorities and of political parties or commercial organisations.




Category 2: EU-wide network (formal network)
In the context of lot 1, an EU-wide network is an umbrella organisation of European non-governmental organisations (ENGOs as defined in category 1). An EU-wide network must itself have a legal personality and be a non-profit organisation. It must:






—


be composed of legally autonomous non-profit organisations active in the field of education and training and running activities that support the implementation of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET 2020’) in more than one sector of education and training,










—


have been legally registered for at least two years in a programme country on the date of submission of applications (applicants must submit a copy of the applicant's organisation's articles of association and official certificate of registration),










—


have statutory member organisations (ENGOs) in at least 20 programme countries,










—


be independent of public authorities and of political parties or commercial organisations.





Only bodies corresponding to the definitions above will be considered as eligible under the present lot 1.

3.   Activities

Eligible activities must be directly linked to the general and specific objectives of the present call and must be detailed in an annual work programme.
They may be performed at European, cross-border, national, regional or local level and may include (indicative non-exhaustive list):






—


activities facilitating access and participation of stakeholders in the implementation of the policy priorities,










—


exchanges of experience and good practice,










—


training on EU policies for members of ENGO/EU wide-network (courses, peer learning events, advisory, guidance and coaching, etc.),










—


capacity-building for the member organisations,










—


networking and partnerships with other stakeholders to pursue the objectives of the beneficiary ENGO/EU wide-network more effectively,










—


development of the membership of the beneficiary ENGO/EU-wide network,










—


analysis of country policies in the field of competence of the ENGO/EU wide-network; in particular regarding country-specific recommendations decided by the European Union,










—


studies, analyses, surveys, reports on EU education and training policies,










—


cooperation projects,










—


awareness-raising, information, dissemination and promotion activities (seminars, workshops, campaigns, meetings, public debates, consultations, etc.).




Activities establishing synergies between Erasmus+ and other EU or national/regional funding sources are encouraged.
4.   Budget

The total EU budget for the co-financing of civil society cooperation in the field of education and training is EUR 2 000 000.
By way of indication:






—


ENGOs under category 1 will account for about 90 % of the education and training budget available,










—


EU-wide networks under category 2 will account for about 10 % of the education and training budget available.




The maximum annual operating grant will be:






—


ENGOs (category 1): EUR 125 000,










—


EU-wide networks (category 2): EUR 200 000.




Financial contribution from the EU shall not be granted for more than 75 % of the total eligible costs.
LOT 2

Civil society cooperation: youth

1.   Specific objectives

The organisations active in the field of youth that will be supported under this call are expected to carry out activities that aim to:






—


promote the employability of young people, notably through activities that foster the development of competences and skills through non-formal education,










—


foster the empowerment of young people in society, and foster their participation in the decision-making processes,










—


contribute to the personal, socio-educational and professional development of young people in Europe,










—


contribute to the development of youth work at European, national, regional or local levels,










—


contribute to the debate on/development of policy issues affecting young people and youth organisations at European, national, regional or local levels,










—


promote intercultural learning, the respect of diversity, and the values of solidarity, equal opportunities and human rights among young people in Europe,










—


promote the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in society.




2.   Applicant bodies

In the context of civil society cooperation in the field of youth, the following definitions apply:
category 1: a European non-governmental organisation (ENGO) must:






—


operate through a formally recognised structure, composed of a) European body/secretariat (the applicant) legally established for at least 1 year in a programme country on the date of submission of the application and b) national organisations/branches in at least 12 programme countries having a statutory link with the European body/secretariat,










—


be active in the field of youth and run activities that support the implementation of the fields of action of the EU Youth Strategy,










—


involve young people in the management and governance of the organisation;




category 2: an EU-wide network (informal network) must:






—


be composed of legally autonomous non-profit organisations active in the field of youth and running activities that support the implementation of the fields of action of the EU Youth Strategy,










—


operate through an informal governance setting, composed of a) an organisation legally established for at least 1 year on the date of submission of the application in a programme country with functions of coordination of and support to the network at European level (the applicant) and b) other organisations established in at least 12 programme countries,










—


involve young people in the management and governance of the network.





Only bodies corresponding to the definitions presented will be considered as eligible under the present lot 2.

3.   Activities

The applicant bodies must present a consistent work plan integrating non-profit making, youth-led activities which are suitable of pursuing the objectives of the call.
Notably:






—


non-formal and informal learning and activity programmes targeted at young people and youth workers,










—


activities for the qualitative development of youth work,










—


activities for the development and promotion of recognition and transparency tools in the field of youth,










—


seminars, meetings, workshops, consultations, debates of young people on youth policies and/or European matters,










—


consultations of young people feeding into the structured dialogue in the field of youth,










—


activities for the promotion of young people's active participation in democratic life,










—


activities for the promotion of intercultural learning and understanding in Europe,










—


media and communication activities and tools on youth and European matters.




4.   Budget

The total EU budget for the co-financing of civil society cooperation in the field of youth is EUR 3 800 000.
By way of indication:






—


bodies under category 1 (ENGOs) exclusively dedicated to youth will account for about 70 % of the youth strand budget available,










—


bodies under category 1 (ENGOs) having a broader scope but including a section dedicated to youth will account for about 10 % of the youth strand budget available,










—


bodies under category 2 (EU-wide networks) exclusively dedicated to youth will account for about 20 % of the youth strand budget available.




The maximum annual operating grant will be EUR 50 000 for both categories (ENGOs and EU-wide networks).
Financial contribution from the EU shall not be granted for more than 80 % of the total eligible costs.


(1)  For more details on the award criteria please refer to Section 10 of the Applicants' Guidelines.

(2)  Any other administrative document required in the Applicants' Guidelines must be sent by e-mail to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency by 17 March 2014 (noon, Brussels time) at the following e-mail address: lot 1: EACEA-CIVIL-EDU@ec.europa.eu — lot 2: EACEA-YOUTH@ec.europa.eu