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Pact for Skills
  • News article
  • 17 December 2025
  • Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
  • 2 min read

New Erasmus+ 2026 funding opportunities for Pact for Skills members

The European Commission has published the Erasmus+ 2026 call for proposals and the 2026 Erasmus+ Programme Guide, which includes new funding opportunities to support actions on education, training, youth and sport for a total of €5.2 billion. Erasmus+ supports skills development and citizenship education through international mobility and collaboration in education, training, youth, and sports. 

Why it matters for Pact for Skills members

Erasmus+ aligns with the Union of Skills strategy, promoting lifelong learning, quality jobs and resilience. Pact for Skills organisations can use these funding opportunities to:

  • deliver their commitments through practical activities
  • build stronger partnerships across sectors, regions, and countries
  • help workers and learners access better training and career options.

Relevant Erasmus+ 2026 funding opportunities for Pact for Skills members

Cooperation Partnerships (Key Action 2): support organisations to work together internationally, improve their activities and share good practices.

  • Opening of online forms: 18 December 2025
  • Deadline: 5 March 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

Small-scale Partnerships (Key Action 2): make it easier for smaller or less experienced organisations to join Erasmus+, with simpler rules and smaller grants.

  • Opening of online forms: 18 December 2025
  • Deadline: 5 March 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

Centres of Vocational Excellence: build strong transnational networks of providers of vocational education and training, companies and other partners to create skills ecosystems that support innovation and regional development.

  • Opening of online forms: 4 December 2025
  • Deadline: 3 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

Alliances for Innovation – Lot 1: Alliances for Education and Enterprises: bring together education and businesses to foster innovation, new skills and entrepreneurial mindsets, including in sectors with severe skills gaps.

  • Opening of online forms: 4 December 2025
  • Deadline: 10 March 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

Alliances for Innovation – Lot 2: Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (Blueprint): support large-scale skills partnerships under the Pact for Skills to design sectoral skills strategies, job profiles and training programmes.

  • Opening of online forms: 4 December 2025
  • Deadline: 10 March 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

For more information 

2026 annual work programme 

2026 Erasmus+ call for proposals 

2026 Erasmus+ programme guide 

Information on the Union of Skills strategy

 

For complete information on all the calls under Erasmus+, deadlines and how to apply, visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

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