Lifelong Learning: Transversal programme

Overview

The Transversal programme offers many different opportunities for organisations to get involved in European working.

Opportunities include:

• take part in a week long programme of activities in another country to share expertise on a particular topic in education or vocational training;
• host a group of European professionals to share your educational good practice with them;
• participate in large European projects to develop new materials involving language learning, Information and Communications Technology, policy development or dissemination of project results;
• run a network of European organisations on a particular topic in education;
• apply for an award to recognise your innovative language learning materials or practices.

Who can Participate?
Every UK organisation involved in education and training 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.

Mobility
The Mobility category covers a programme of Study Visits for Education and Vocational Training Specialists. You can either apply to participate in a visit in another European country to share your expertise and learn more about a particular topic, or host a visit in the UK for a group of educational professionals from across Europe. Participants come from all over Europe and have diverse professional backgrounds from different sectors of education and vocational training.

Large Scale Projects
The Transversal programme funds a number of opportunities for organisations involved in education and training to develop new materials and manage European networks. Opportunities are available for Multilateral projects and Networks in the areas of:

• Policy development
• Language learning
• Information and Communications Technology
• Dissemination

Please note that these types of project are not managed by ECOTEC. They are looked after by the European Commission's Executive Agency based in Brussels. If you would like further information, or want some advice on applying for Multilateral projects and Networks, then contact the Executive Agency directly at: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm.

Multilateral Projects
Transversal Multilateral Projects are large-scale European projects which aim to develop innovative materials in three key areas of language learning, ICT and dissemination. You must have at least 3 organisations from 3 different participating countries in your partnership and you can apply for projects of up to 2 years' duration. The amount of funding available varies depending on the key area - you can ask for up to 150,000 euro per year for dissemination projects, 200,000 euro per year for languages projects and 250,000 euro per year for ICT projects.

Studies and Comparative Research
Funding is available for research into European Policy Co-operation and Innovation in education. You can apply for 250,000 euro per year to support up to 3 years' activity. Your partnership must consist of a minimum of 6 partners in 6 different participating countries.

Networks
Transversal Networks are large-scale European networks which aim to support the sharing of ideas, information and good practice in languages or ICT. 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 150,000 euro per year to support up to 3 years of activity

European Award for Languages
The European Award for Languages (EAL) is part of the Transversal programme and is also known as the European Language Label. In the UK the EAL is run by CILT, the UK’s national centre for languages. Projects receiving the EAL must involve language learning and should be innovative, effective and replicable. Over 100 UK projects have so far received the Award. The Award is open to every organisation involved in language teaching – why not visit www.cilt.org.uk/eal to see if you could apply?

Host a UK Study Visit

Study Visits offer an opportunity to exchange experiences and expertise on policy and practices across Europe. Participants can learn about national training systems, visit organisations involved in education and training, and discuss policies and issues on a particular theme with local experts.

Participants come from all over Europe and from diverse professional backgrounds from all sectors of education and vocational training.

Host organisations are responsible for managing a Study Visit. This includes:

• Selecting a theme or topic for the visit.
• Writing an entry for the Study Visits Catalogue.
• Putting together a programme for between 3 and 5 days of activity including the opportunity for participants to visit schools and colleges, meet practitioners, and hear from employers, trade unions and sectoral bodies as appropriate.
• Looking after participants for the duration of the visit.

Participants are selected by their own National Agency for the programme and receive a grant towards their travel costs and subsistence. You will not be required to select participants or pay for their accommodation and meals.

Any UK organisation or institution involved in education or Vocational Education and Training can apply to host a visit. This includes organisations located in the UK's Overseas Territories. The UK National Agency at ECORYS can award each host a grant of £2,000 towards the cost of hosting a visit. This can contribute to staff time, room hire and the cost of providing materials, a welcome meal/reception and travel.