Cooperation Partnerships

Overview

Objectives

The main objectives of cooperation partnerships are to increase the quality in the work and practices of the organisations involved in the partnerships; build their capacity to work transnationally and across sectors; address needs in the fields of education, training, youth and sport; and enable transformation and change (at individual, organisational or sectoral level).

Activities/actions supported

The call will fund cooperation partnerships that address:

• at least one horizontal priority among the following: inclusion and diversity; environmental sustainability; digital dimension; participation and civic engagement
• at least one specific priority relevant to the field of education, training, youth and sport

Projects supported should last between 12 and 36 months, with the duration being chosen at application stage.

Anticipated outcomes

Project funded through this call are expected to support the development, transfer and/or implementation of innovative practices as well as the implementation of joint initiatives promoting cooperation, peer learning and exchanges of experience at European level. Results should be re-usable, transferable, upscalable and, if possible, have a strong transdisciplinary dimension. Selected projects will be expected to share the results of their activities at local, regional, national level and transnational level.

Institution providing the funding

Erasmus+ National Agencies

Size of funding

Pre-defined lump sum grants of EUR 120 000, EUR 250 000, and EUR 400 000 with applicants having to choose between these amonts based on their needs and objectives.

Conditions

Overview of eligibility criteria

To be eligible to receive grants under this call, applicants must be any public or private organisation active in any field of education, training, youth, sport or other socio-economic sectors as well as to organisations carrying out activities that are transversal to different fields (e.g., local, regional and national authorities, recognition and validation centres, chambers of commerce, trade organisations, guidance centres, cultural and sport organisations). These organisations must be established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Erasmus+ Programme or  in any third country not associated to Erasmus+ in regions 1 to 3 (as listed in the Erasmus+ Programme guide).

Cooperation partnerships should involve the most appropriate and diverse range of partners in order to benefit from their different experiences, profiles and specific expertise. In particular, consortia should be transnational and involve a minimum of three organisations from three EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.

Overview of award criteria

Award criteria include the following:

• Relevance (maximum score 25 points): this includes the relevance of the proposal to the objectives of cooperation partnerships; the extent to which it addresses the horizontal priority on inclusion and diversity; the promotion of EU values; the profile and experience of the participating organisations
• Quality of the project design (maximum score 30 points): this includes the clarity of the objectives of the project, and the extent to which these address the needs and goals of participating organisations and target groups; the accessibility and inclusiveness of the activities; and the quality of the methodology
• Quality of the partnerships (maximum score 20 points): this includes the inclusion of a variety of organisations, as well as newcomers
• Impact (maximum score 25 points): this includes the potential positive impact on participants and participating organisations

Project proposals have to score a minimum of 70 points in total to be considered for funding.

Procedures

Application procedures

Please note that for partnerships in the fields of education, training and youth submitted by any organisation in these fields, with the exception of European NGOs, applications must be submitted to the Erasmus+ National Agency of the country in which the applicant organisation is established. 

For Partnerships in the fields of education and training or youth submitted by European NGOs243, applications are to be submitted to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (see link of the call below).

Please note that the deadline indicated above applies only to proposals submitted by organisations other than European NGOs and starting between 1 September and 31 December 2026. For projects submitted by organisations other than European NGOs and starting between 1 January and 31 August of the following year, the deadline is 1 October 2026 at 12:00 pm Brussels time. For proposals submitted by European NGOs the deadline is 5 March 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

More information on the application procedure is available in the text of the call below.

Application support available

For help related to this call, please contact EACEA-SPORTec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EACEA-SPORT[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

More information can be found in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for 2026.

Useful links

Link to funding opportunity

Link to the programme for more info