Guidance

Erasmus+ programme guidance for adult education

Published 16 April 2026

Overview

This page provides information on the Erasmus+ activities that adult education organisations can apply for.

Overview of the Erasmus+ programme includes more information on how the Erasmus+ programme works.

Introduction

Erasmus+ is a programme that provides funding for adult learners and staff to take part in learning, training or work activities abroad. It also funds partnerships between adult education providers and organisations in other countries.

It also provides funding for adult education providers to work with organisations in other countries on shared development projects.

Benefits for adult learners

Erasmus+ helps learners:

• build key skills
• gain confidence
• broaden their experience
• take part in education opportunities they may not otherwise access

Benefits for staff and organisations

The programme supports:

• professional development
• helps providers build the capacity needed to support high quality improvements in the quality and inclusiveness of adult education

Types of funding available

There are 2 types of Erasmus+ funding available for adult education organisations.

• Key Action 1 which funds visits abroad, known as ‘mobilities’
• Key Action 2 which provides funding for organisations to work together on collaborative projects, known as ‘partnerships for cooperation’

Erasmus+ projects

When an organisation applies for Erasmus+ funding, it applies for a ‘project’. You need to set out:

• what your organisation plans to do
• what activities will be delivered
• the objectives you aim to achieve, such as developing staff skills or improving language skills and cultural awareness for learners
• whether this is a mobility project or a partnership project

The next funding round is expected to open in November 2026.

How to apply for project funding

Individual learners or staff members cannot apply directly. Applications must be made by an eligible adult education organisation.

Eligible organisations include those offering:

• formal, non‑formal or informal adult education
• learning and community support services
• programmes for disabled adults or older learners

Examples include:

• adult learning centres
• libraries
• counselling or guidance services
• organisations supporting disabled learners or senior citizens
• public authorities and coordinating bodies involved in adult education

To find out more about eligible organisations, please refer to the:

• EU’s Erasmus+ website
• European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) website

Where to apply

Most projects (Key Action 1 and most Key Action 2) are managed by the United Kingdoms (UK’s) National Agency.

Some Key Action 2 projects are managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

See Overview of the Erasmus+ programme for a more detailed explanation of how Erasmus+ funding works.

Registration requirements

To apply via the UK National Agency, organisations must:

• create an EU Login account
• register in the Organisation Registration System to obtain an Organisation ID (OID)

To apply via EACEA, organisations must:

• create an EU Login account

• register through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for a Participant Identification Code (PIC). This is a 9-digit unique identifier given to organisations that participate in EU funding programmes, including Erasmus+

You only need to register once for an OID or PIC.

For further guidance, see Overview of the Erasmus+ programme.

Key Action 1: International mobilities

Visits abroad are known as ‘mobilities’ in Erasmus+. Erasmus+ offers funding for learners and staff in adult education to travel to another country, giving them opportunities to gain international experience and develop new skills.

All learning mobility activities must be:

• Educational: designed to help participants learn or develop new knowledge, skills, attitudes and competences
• Transnational: brings people from different countries together so they can exchange ideas and learn from one another
• Structured: follows a clear plan, with an agreed programme, method and expected learning outcomes
• Strategic: contributing to a wider set of project objectives

Opportunities for adult learners

Adult learners can take part in structured learning activities abroad through Erasmus+, either as part of a group or individually.

These opportunities allow learners to:

• build independence
• gain confidence
• take part in programmes that support their personal and educational development

There is no age limit for Erasmus+ placements in adult education, so those under 18 enrolled on an adult education programme can take part as well as those over 18.

Mobilities are planned with a partner adult education organisation from an Erasmus+ programme country. You choose the length of stay and the activities you do together.

Group mobility

Groups of 2 or more adult learners can travel to another country to learn or volunteer with a partner organisation.

These visits are planned with the host organisation and could include a range of different learning activities, such as taking part in cultural visit or joining a hands-on workshop to help build practical skills.

Duration: a group mobility can last from 2 to 30 days.

Individual learner mobility

Individual learners can take part in a learning mobility abroad. 

The mobility is planned with the host organisation and could include learning activities such as:

• working with a coach to build confidence and develop personal learning strategies
• joining guided practical tasks that help improve literacy and everyday skills in real life situations

Duration: an individual mobility can last from 2 days to 1 year.

Opportunities for staff

Staff working in adult education can take part in Erasmus+ activities that support their professional development.

Spending time with a partner organisation overseas helps staff:

• learn new approaches
• exchange good practice
• bring fresh ideas back to their organisation

Job shadowing

Staff working in adult education can visit a partner organisation in another Erasmus+ country to observe teaching, training or other professional practices. This gives them the opportunity to see how adult learning is organised and delivered in a different setting.

Duration: a job shadowing mobility can last from 2 days to 2 months.

Teaching abroad

Staff can spend time teaching or training at a partner organisation abroad, enabling them to:

• experience a different adult learning environment
• share their own approaches
• learn from colleagues in another setting

Duration: teaching or training assignment can last from 2 days to 1 year.

Attending a training course in Europe

Erasmus+ provides funding for staff working in adult education to attend structured training courses in another Erasmus+ country, giving them the chance to develop their practice and build professional skills.

Duration: these courses typically last 2 to 10 days.

Host an invited expert

Organisations can invite trainers, teachers, policy specialists or other qualified professionals from abroad to help improve teaching, training and learning at their organisation.

For example, these invited experts could train staff or demonstrate new teaching methods.

Duration: invited expert mobilities can last from 2 days to 2 months.

How to apply for mobility project funding

Individual pupils or staff members cannot apply for Erasmus+ funding.  Applications for Erasmus+ funding must be made through an adult education organisation.

Applications for mobility projects are made through the UK National Agency.

Please see the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for more information about what to include in your application, including the award criteria for funding.

For further details on what is covered by the funding see Overview of the Erasmus+ programme.

How to set up an Erasmus+ mobility project

Step 1:  Check eligible 

Read the guidance in the sections on ‘how to apply for project funding’ and the Erasmus+ Programme Guide to confirm your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.  

Step 2: Find European partners 

Use Erasmus+ online platforms such as EPALE (the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe) to find partners or continue working with adult education providers or related organisations you already know in Europe.  

Step 3: Register your organisation  

Create an EU login account and access the organisation registration system for Erasmus+ and obtain an Organisation ID (OID). 

Step 4: Plan your mobility project 

Work with your Erasmus+ partner organisation to plan the activities you want to do and what you want to achieve on the mobility.  

Step 5: Check deadlines   

Deadlines for Erasmus+ funding will be published on the UK National Agency website.  

Step 6: Prepare your application 

When completing the application form, you will provide key information about your organisation, outline the goals you want to achieve through your project, and describe the activities you plan to carry out. 

Step 7: Submit your application

Apply through the UK National Agency.

Key Action 2: Partnerships

Erasmus+ provides funding for adult education providers to develop partnerships with relevant organisations in different countries. 

Partnerships support cooperation, innovation and the exchange of good practice.

They help organisations:

• improve the quality of their work
• develop new approaches
• strengthen capacity
• collaborate across diverse sectors to address common needs and priorities

Small scale partnerships

These partnerships:

• last for 6 months to 2 years
• must involve at least 2 organisations from different countries
• involve funding: up to €60,000
• are designed for smaller organisations or newcomers to Erasmus+

How to apply

Applicants need to apply to the EACEA.

Cooperation partnerships

These partnerships:

• last for 1 to 3 years
• must involve at least 3 organisations from different countries
• involve funding: up to €400,000

How to apply

Applicants need to apply to the UK National Agency for cooperation partnerships, unless the partnerships are led by European non-government organisations (NGOs), in which case applicants will need to apply via the EACEA.

Forward looking projects

These projects:

• last for 2 to 4 years
• are large‑scale projects aimed at developing innovative practices with the potential of becoming mainstreamed
• focus areas include literacy, numeracy, digital skills and progression to work
• must involve at least 3 organisations from different countries
• funding: up to €1 million

How to apply

Applicants need to apply to the EACEA for funding.