Vocational Education and Training: Improving transparency and recognition of VET qualifications

European policy experimentations are transnational cooperation projects that develop, implement and test methods to improve policy priorities. This call targets the joint development of vocational education and training (VET) programmes at EQF levels 3-5 across different countries. Projects may create modules involving VET providers or sectoral/craft organizations and should integrate these into national or regional qualification frameworks where possible. The aim is to address qualification gaps, strengthen transparency and recognition of VET qualifications, and utilize EU instruments like EQAVET, EQF, Europass and ESCO. Programmes must add value to learners, educators, and the labour market and include work-based and mobility components. The involvement of national and/or regional authorities is required, and projects must recommend further steps and inform EU policy discussions. The potential outcome may be future steps towards a European VET diploma or similar approach.

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Agency	Erasmus+ (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, Other
Start date	6 Jan 2026
End date	8 Apr 2026
Budget	8,000,000 EUR (2026)
Coverage	Lump sum grants under Erasmus+; specific amounts and coverage depend on proposal details in the call document

Grant application conditions

Admissibility Conditions	Proposal page limit and layout as described in the call document. Part B of the Application Form (Technical Description) is limited to 40 pages, including the list of relevant previous projects.
Eligible Countries	Described in the call document for Erasmus+.
Other Eligible Conditions	Described in the call document.
Financial and Operational Capacity	Requirements and exclusions described in the call document.
Applicant Type	Consortia involving at least two VET providers each offering programmes at EQF levels 3-4 from different EU Member States and/or countries associated to Erasmus+. Possible inclusion of VET programmes at EQF level 5. Involvement of national/regional authorities or competent bodies in charge of awarding and recognition of VET qualifications is mandatory from the beginning of the project.
Programme Focus	Joint development of (full or partial) transnational VET programmes at EQF levels 3-5. Must demonstrate added value to learners, teachers, trainers. Must address regional and/or local labour market needs. Integration into national/regional qualification frameworks or systems is required. Include work-based learning and mobility components.
Integration with EU tools	Use EU transparency tools: EQAVET, EQF, Europass, ESCO.
Reporting and Recommendations	Beneficiaries must cooperate with authorities and stakeholders to reflect on results. Projects will provide recommendations for further development of transnational joint VET programmes.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T08-VET-QUALIFICATIONS

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements