Introduction to Erasmus+ Project Design: Priorities, Needs Analysis and Project Ideation

• Introduction to Erasmus+ KA2 Cooperation Partnerships, objectives and current Programme priorities.
• Familiarisation with useful websites, links and tools.
• Analyzing the Programme Guide/action requirements, priorities, eligibility and award criteria.
• Explore how to move from a broad project idea to a clearly defined problem or challenge.
• Learn how to conduct an evidence-based needs analysis and identify target-group needs.
• Connect identified needs with relevant Erasmus+ and European priorities.
• Practical workshop: develop a problem statement, identify supporting evidence and define the initial project idea.

From Needs to Solutions: Intervention Logic, SMART Objectives and Concept Note Development

• Transform identified needs into a clear project intervention logic linking problems, objectives, activities, results and expected change.
• Learn how to formulate realistic SMART objectives and measurable expected results.
• Explore European added value, innovation and how to position a project in relation to existing initiatives.
• Introduction to the structure and purpose of a Comprehensive Erasmus+ Concept Note.
• Practical workshop: Start building the participants’ own Concept Note.

Designing the Project Structure: Work Packages, Activities, Results and Project Management

• Learn how to translate a project concept into coherent work packages, activities and expected results.
• Explore the connection between objectives, work packages, activities, deliverables/results and indicators.
• Introduce project management, quality assurance, monitoring and risk-management arrangements.
• Learn how to develop realistic quantitative and qualitative indicators for measuring project progress.
• Practical workshop: create an initial work-package structure and integrate it into the Comprehensive Concept Note.

Building a Strong Partnership: Partner Selection, Roles and Cooperation Arrangements

• Identify the expertise and organisational profiles needed to successfully implement the project.
• Successful Partner Search (Partner Data Form, eligibility, PIC/ OID number, ECAS account upload of necessary documents). Letter of intent and accession forms. Use of partner search tools.
• Learn how to build a complementary European consortium based on project needs and partner added value.
• Define clear partner roles, responsibilities and contributions across work packages and activities.
• Practical workshop: develop a consortium map, identify missing expertise and define potential partner roles.

Planning for Quality and Impact: Lump-Sum Budgeting, Evaluation, Indicators and Sustainability

• Understand the Erasmus+ lump-sum funding model and how resources should reflect project scope, activities and expected results.
• Explore resource allocation, proportionality, cost-effectiveness and value for money across work packages.
• Develop indicators, baselines, targets and methods for monitoring and evaluating expected change.
• Plan impact, dissemination, exploitation, transferability and integration of results into participating organisations.
• Practical workshop: strengthen the Concept Note with resource allocation, evaluation, impact and sustainability measures.
• Guided navigation of KA2 e-forms

Thinking Like an Erasmus+ Evaluator: Award Criteria, Proposal Assessment and Concept Refinement

• Explore the four Erasmus+ award criteria: Relevance, Quality of Project Design and Implementation, Quality of Partnership and Cooperation Arrangements, and Impact.
• Step into the role of an evaluator and assess examples from recent Erasmus+ applications.
• Identify common strengths, weaknesses and lessons from approved and rejected proposals.
• Apply the evaluator perspective through structured peer assessment of participants’ own project concepts.
• Final workshop: Peer-to-peer evaluation: refine and present the Comprehensive Erasmus+ Concept Note to the group

*Study visits can be tailored to each group’s interests and emerging project ideas, providing participants with opportunities to gather insights, strengthen their needs analysis and gain inspiration for their project concepts.

Visits may be organised to relevant organisations, initiatives or sites depending on the thematic focus of the group. For example, participants developing projects related to environmental sustainability and green priorities could visit the Environmental Information and Education Centre at Cape Greco.