The new Erasmus+ Programme foresees grants for 6.5 million euros for “Alliances for Innovation”: partnerships aimed at boosting the provision of new green and digital skills and addressing skills mismatches in Europe. Small and medium-sized or large companies - including social enterprises- can apply for grants in two different lots:

1. Alliances for Education and Enterprises - Lot 1

   • 1 million euros (2 years project)

   • 1,5 million euros (3 years project)

2. Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills - Lot 2

   • 4 million euros (4 years project) - only one proposal per industrial ecosystem can be selected for funding. At equal quality, a proposal covering an ecosystem that is not at all covered by an ongoing Blueprint Alliance will be assessed as more relevant.

Alliances for Education and Enterprises are transnational, structured, and result-driven projects that intend to achieve one or more of the following aims:

• Fostering new, innovative, and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning: fostering innovation in education design and delivery, teaching methods, assessment techniques, learning environments, and/or developing new skills.

• Fostering corporate social responsibility (e.g. equity, inclusion, climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable development).

• Stimulating a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial attitudes, mind-sets and skills in learners, educational staff, and other workers, in line with the Entrepreneurship Competence Framework;

• Improving the quality and relevance of skills developed and certified through education and training systems (including new skills and tackling skills mismatches).

• Facilitating the flow and co-creation of knowledge between higher education and vocational education and training, research, the public sector, and the business sector.

• Building and supporting effective and efficient higher education and vocational education and training systems, which are connected and inclusive, and contribute to innovation.

Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills seek instead to tackle skills gaps in the labour market that hamper growth, innovation, and competitiveness in specific sectors or areas, aiming both at short term interventions and long-term strategies. These Alliances will be implemented in the 14 industrial ecosystems identified in the New Industrial Strategy for Europe.

At the same time, alliances under Lot 2 will support the implementation of the Pact for Skills by developing a sectoral skills strategy. This strategy has to lead to systemic and structural impact on reducing skills shortages, gaps, and mismatches, as well as ensuring appropriate quality and levels of skills. 

WHEN TO APPLY?

Companies have to submit their grant application by 7 September 2021 at 17:00:00 (Brussels time).

Corporate members that are interested in submitting projects with CSR Europe can contact Giorgia Miccoli, Project Manager.

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) together with the Commission Services (DG EAC and DG EMPL) will organise a web streaming Info session to explain the policy context, new funding opportunities, and new submission process for the Alliances for innovation under 2021 Erasmus+.

Registered participants can follow the event online via the live webstream on Tuesday 8 June 2021 from 14.00. The registration link will be available in here next week.

For more information:

Check the Guide on Alliances for Innovation