EU LifeLong Learning

The EU Lifelong Learning Programme

There are four main schemes under this umbrella, all of which have one thing in common: they are about people from different European countries learning together and sharing experiences.

If you want to find out about the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and to apply for one of the schemes described below, the best place to start is the British Council website.

The British Council has been given the job of running Erasmus and Comenius in the UK while Ecotec runs Leonardo and Grundtvig. The EU channel on YouTube is also a good place to look.

- Erasmus

Erasmus is for higher education and consists of a European Union exchange programme that has so far enabled one million students in 31 European countries to study for part of their degree in another country. Full details here.

If you want to know what it is like to be an Erasmus student find yourself a copy of the 2002 French film L’Auberge Espagnole by Cédric Klapisch. It tells the story of an Erasmus student studying for a year in Barcelona, where he shares an apartment with five other people each from a different European country.

- Commenius

Comenius is for schools and helps to create partnerships between schools across Europe allowing pupils, students and staff from different countries to work together on joint projects. Comenius also offers in-service training in other European countries for teachers. You can also be, or get for your school, a Comenius Assistant. They can add a European dimension to the school curriculum and also offer classes in their native language. For more information see here.

- Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is for professional and vocational training. It funds work placements in other European countries for trainees and apprentices. Ask your college or employer to apply, as applications normally need to be made by institutions rather than individuals. Full details here.

- Grundtvig

Grundtvig enables adult education institutions to cooperate with similar institutions elsewhere in Europe. It covers all types of learning, both ‘formal’ and ‘non-formal’ education for adults. Grundtvig targets the over-25s and 16-24 year olds who are no longer in the formal education system. Full details here.