Lifelong Learning: Leonardo

Overview

All Leonardo projects involve working with European partners and allow you to build partnerships, exchange best practice, increase the expertise of your staff and develop the skills of learners. The programme is open to every organisation involved in vocational education and training.

The Leonardo programme offers many different opportunities for organisations to get involved in European working. Organisations could:

• help trainees or staff gain vital skills and experience by organising work placements in another European country;
• participate in a European partnership to share expertise and experiences;
• create new training materials to meet the needs of business;
• attend a special event to meet new European partners;
• have a meeting with your partners to write your application for funding.

The actions associated with the programme are listed below:

Mobility
The Mobility action allows you to:

• organise work experience for your trainees or employees;
• increase the skills of your staff through a short job shadowing placement;
• help those looking for work gain new skills.

This action aims to improve the skills of the UK’s workforce. You can apply to send individuals to another European country. Grants contribute to project management, travel costs and living expenses.

Preparatory Visits
The Preparatory Visits action is intended to help organisations find new European partners or meet existing partners to discuss their future Leonardo applications. Preparatory Visits funding can be used by organisations wishing to apply for a Mobility. Partnerships or Transfer of Innovation project! You can apply for a grant to support up to 5 days activity in another participating country.

Small Scale Projects
Leonardo Partnership projects are designed to allow organisations from across Europe to work together in a small scale co-operation activity. Partners work on a specific topic or theme and are able to visit each other to share their experiences and practices. The funding provided allows partners to meet, find out about each other's organisations and working practices, and share expertise on the theme. You also have the opportunity to involve your trainees and teachers or trainers in the project.

Partnerships are particularly suitable for organisations who are new to European funding or who are looking to work with European partners on a small scale. You need at least 3 partners from 3 different participating countries and projects last for 2 years with funding starting at €10,000 for 4 mobilities.

Large Scale Projects
Transfer of Innovation projects are partnerships for the transfer of training. You can build on the best practice in vocational education and training from Europe by transferring best practice between countries. Projects focus on customising training materials for the needs of learners and businesses in the partner countries.

Other opportunities include Multilateral projects (also known as Development of Innovation projects) Leonardo Multilateral Projects are large-scale European projects which aim to develop innovative materials for vocational education and training. You will need at least 3 partners in 3 different participating countries (including your own organisation) to be eligible, and you can ask for up to 200,000 euro per year to support up to 2 years of activity.

Another opportunity is Networks. Leonardo Networks are large-scale European networks which aim to support the sharing of ideas, information and good practice in adult education. You will need at least 5 partners in 5 different participating countries (including your own organisation) to be eligible, and you can ask for up to 200,000 euro per year to support up to 3 years of activity.

Please note that these two types of project are not managed by ECOTEC. They are looked after by the European Commission's Executive Agency based in Brussels. For more information on how to apply to these please visit : http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/index_en.php

Who can participate
Every UK organisation involved in delivering or designing training for work can participate in the programme including organisations such as local authorities, colleges, schools, trade unions, chambers of commerce, and private training organisations to name a few.

How to Apply

More information can be obtained and downloaded from the website.