Getting started in Erasmus Plus

Erasmus Plus is going to bring fantastic opportunities to UK organisations in 2027 and beyond. No matter what kind of organisation you are, if your work involves young people then you should consider applying for a grant. But we know that the prospect of a complicated application process can be scary, especially for smaller organisations with limited experience or capacity.

Here is what we advise.

STEP 1: Join one of our “Erasmus Plus: The Basics” webinars, or if there are none coming up, watch a recording and view the slides HERE.

STEP 2: Visit the National Agency’s website, sign up for their newsletter, and attend any webinars or other events that are on offer.

STEP 3: (our top tip) - DO NOT LOOK at the Programme Guide or application form templates until you are actually ready to. If you don’t know how to navigate the Guide it could actually put you off at this stage, which would be a pity.

STEP 4: Create an account on the EU Login Portal, and register your organisation. Once you have done this, you will get an Organisation ID (OID) number, which is your key to all future participation in Erasmus Plus. It’s quick and easy to do. If you are an InterCom member, we can help you with this.

STEP 5a: Start brainstorming your project ideas. Consult young people as well as your team. Think about the main programme priorities (above) and how your project could relate to them. Find the connection between your project ideas, your organisation’s objectives, and relevant national or local policies. Then start to shape a project plan in your own format, and add details of outcomes, targets, measures, and how you will disseminate the results. Pay particular attention to how you will involve and benefit young people with fewer opportunities. At this point, you can begin to decide what kind of project it will be (KA1 or KA2) and what the main activities will be, and how long it might last.

STEP 5b: You might decide that you would prefer to join someone else’s Erasmus Plus project to begin with, rather than managing your own. This can be a good way to start and to learn, if you can find a project led by an experienced partner. If you are an InterCom member, you can view our list of verified partner organisations.

STEP 6: Decide which countries or partners you want to work with (you need at least two countries including your own). If you haven’t already got partners, there are a number of search tools you can use (see resources below). There are also lots of Erasmus Plus groups on Facebook and Linked In that you can join, where people advertise their projects. Be sure to research any prospective partners to see if they look professional and have the right level of experience.

STEP 7: When you’ve done all that, you’ll be ready to take the plunge into the Programme Guide and start writing your actual application. The National Agency will probably run a series of support webinars in the Autumn. The first application deadlines will be in early February (KA1) and early March (KA2).

NOTE: Keep looking out for further InterCom webinars or workshops in the next few months. (Free or discounted for members, and a small fee for non-members).