Top tips: how do I find a partner or partners?
We've curated best advice from people who have previously taken part in Erasmus+ and consulted our experts to compile this list. In this chapter, using their own words, we’re looking at how you can find the best partner(s) to work with.
1. Start with your existing contacts and connections
“Finding partners built naturally on established relationships. We had already worked with our Italian, Romanian, Northern Ireland and Portuguese partners on other Erasmus+ projects, so there was existing trust and a shared understanding of how to collaborate effectively. To strengthen the partnership further, we brought the University of Huddersfield (UK) on board to add academic and research expertise, and Békés Megyei Kormányhivatal, a local public authority in Hungary, to bring a public-sector perspective and extend the project's reach to a fifth country.” Susan Russam | ITER (Improving Transitions, Enabling Results)
“We found our partners by tapping into our established global network of carnival, festival, youth arts and community organisations. This network developed through previous projects, cultural exchanges, professional relationships, international events and recommendations from colleagues. It allowed us to identify organisations with relevant experience and connections to their communities.” Carnival & Community Manager | Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival/Edinburgh Festival Carnival
“How did I decide on this project and find partners? Partners were selected from my network, based on their varied expertise, with HKU (University of the Arts Utrecht) as the most important partner — chosen specifically because Ludodidactics is an actual field of study there, giving the project direct access to academic grounding in the methodology itself.” Managing Director | IVOLO
2. Find your shared need, purpose and objectives
“We developed the project in response to a shared need for more opportunities for young performers to participate in international, multicultural creative experiences.
We identified our partners through cultural networks, professional relationships and organisations working in youth arts and performance across Europe. We looked for partners that shared our commitment to inclusion, intercultural learning, youth participation and creative activity.
Each partner contributed artistic traditions, experience and perspectives while supporting their participants’ needs. Early discussions helped us establish shared objectives, understand what each organisation could offer and agree how responsibilities would be divided.
Together, we shaped a six-day programme reflecting the interests and abilities of 60 young performers from five EU countries. Partners contributed to recruitment, preparation, safeguarding, travel planning and creative development.
The partnership’s strength came from having a shared purpose while allowing each organisation and group of young people to bring its own identity to the exchange. This balance helped us create a genuinely collaborative multicultural project rather than separate national performances.
Choose partners who share your values, communicate openly and bring complementary experience. Agree responsibilities, safeguarding arrangements, budgets and expectations at an early stage. Allow enough time for travel planning, participant preparation, access requirements and contingency arrangements.” Carnival & Community Manager | Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival/Edinburgh Festival Carnival
“Early discussions helped us identify common challenges, agree objectives and understand what each organisation could contribute. Partners helped shape the training, volunteering, creative activity, mobility and dissemination programme.
Choose partners who share your values and bring complementary knowledge, networks or experience. Invest time in building trust, agreeing responsibilities and discussing communication, safeguarding, mobility arrangements, budgets and evaluation. Strong partnerships are essential, particularly when coordinating activity across several countries.” Carnival & Community Manager | Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival/Edinburgh Festival Carnival
“Find partners who share that need, not just partners who round out the map.
Build genuine European spread — North, South, East, and West — not just the usual Western-European clusters.
Aim for a multidisciplinary team — mixing arts education, formal education, youth/social work, and technical or design expertise, as MOVE YOUR MIND did. Carl De Meester | Move your mind
3. Good communication is important
“Communication ensured that the project remained realistic, inclusive and relevant.” Carnival & Community Manager | Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival/Edinburgh Festival Carnival
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“Partnership fit matters more than a brilliant concept alone.”
If you’ve taken part in Erasmus+ in the past, why not share your own tips.