Adult education

Why take part in Erasmus+?

Erasmus+ opens doors to international learning experiences and development opportunities for adult learners and professionals working in the adult education sector. Studying or training abroad helps learners build key skills and competences, including confidence and adaptability. With flexible options and funding provision for travel abroad, Erasmus+ expands opportunities for learners who may otherwise face social or economic barriers.

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

What opportunities are available?

Mobility projects (Key Action 1)

Learners and staff can gain international experience and develop future-ready skills with funding for placements abroad. Applications for mobility projects are managed by the National Agency.

All physical mobilities can be carried out as a blended mobility. This means combining physical mobilities with virtual components such as collaborative online learning exchange or teamwork.

Opportunities for learners

  • Groups of adult education learners can travel to another country to learn or volunteer with a partner organisation for up to one month.
  • Individual learners can go on learning placements in another country from two days to a year.

Opportunities for staff

  • Staff can travel to another country to teach at a partner organisation, be hosted as an invited expert, job shadow, take part in training or complete a course that helps develop their professional skills. These opportunities are very flexible and can be as little as a few days up to a year.

Partnerships (Key Action 2)

Develop strategic partnerships with relevant organisations in different countries.

Small-scale partnerships

Designed for smaller organisations or those new to Erasmus+, these projects run from between six months to two years and involve at least two organisations from different countries. Erasmus+ offers funding of up to €60,000.

Co-operation partnerships

These partnerships are for larger projects with at least three organisations from different countries. The projects should run for between one and three years. Funding of up to €400,000 is available.

Applications for Small-scale and Cooperation partnerships are made through the UK National Agency. For partnerships led by European NGOs, you need to apply to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

Forward-looking projects

These projects last between two and four years. They are large-scale projects with at least three organisations from different countries. Grants are up to €1 million and these projects are managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

You can browse previous projects for inspiration on the Erasmus+ website.

Be inspired

Close up of a musicians hand playing a guitar.

Project example

Ham'avaaz - Polyphonic - Music Pedagogy in Basic Education and Language Learning

Countries covered
Austria, Spain
Period
2022-24
Funding
€60,000
Type
Small-scale partnership

The Ham'avaaz partnership brought together institutions offering adult education and training, including language and basic skills classes for learners facing discrimination. Using music as a learning tool, the project made education more inclusive and creative, producing practical resources like music-based teaching guides, training workshops for educators, and new methods to boost memory, confidence, and social connection.

An adult learner sat at a classroom table with pen and activity book.

Project example

Quality rating system for adult learning providers

Countries covered
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Malta and Greece
Period
2022-24
Funding
circa €317,000
Type
Cooperation partnership

The primary objective of this project was to create a structured and transparent quality rating system for adult learning institutions across participating countries, a key priority in all partner countries.