Erasmus+: opportunities for English UK member centres
Erasmus+ is the European Union's flagship programme funding education, training, youth and sport exchange. The UK and the EU have agreed in principle that the UK will associate to the programme from 2027 (subject to final programme arrangements).
This creates new opportunities for member centres to work with European partners; host funded Erasmus participants and deliver structured training and mobility activities.
This page outlines what Erasmus+ could mean for UK language centres, the types of activity that may be relevant, and steps members may wish to take now in advance of the programme reopening.
Erasmus+ provides grant funding for mobility and cooperation projects across education and training in Europe and beyond. Funding opportunities are organised by sector:
- higher education (including university exchange)
- school education (primary and secondary)
- adult education
- vocational education and training (VET)
- youth work
- sport
Funding is awarded to organisations running projects, which enable learners and staff to take part in international study, training, or professional development activities. This typically includes programme costs, travel and subsistence.
The total budget for Erasmus+ 2021-2027 is over 26 billion euros.
> For further background information, visit the European Commission's Erasmus+ website
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Why Erasmus+ matters for English UK members
Erasmus+ can provide a funded recruitment channel into European markets. For English UK member centres, this may support:
- increased demand for teacher training and professional development
- recruitment of funded groups and individuals
- growth in short-term programmes (often 2–30 days)
- development of long-term partnerships with schools, universities, and training providers across Europe.
These opportunities are most likely to arise for centres offering structured programmes with clearly defined learning outcomes.
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How English UK members typically engage
In most cases, Erasmus+ funding is awarded to sending organisations (such as schools, colleges and training providers in Europe). These organisations then:
- select external providers to deliver training or host participants
- work with partner organisations to deliver mobility activities or cooperation projects.
English UK member centres are therefore most likely to participate as:
- host organisations delivering study programmes or training (KA1)
- providers of structured courses aligned to Erasmus+ priorities (KA1)
- partners within wider cooperation projects (KA2).
Which of Erasmus+ 'Key Actions' are most relevant?
The programme is structured around three 'key actions'. The first two are the most relevant for language schools:
Key Action 1 (KA1): learning mobility
KA1 is expected to be the primary route for student and staff mobility relevant for English UK members.
It funds projects run by European organisations that send individuals abroad for structured learning or professional development. Participants may include:
- teachers and education staff attending training courses
- vocational learners undertaking placements
- primary or secondary school pupils participating in group mobility (from 2027 funding will be available to send entire school classes to participate in study programmes).
For UK centres, this typically means hosting participants or delivering structured training programmes.
Funding levels are set at EU level. Final arrangements for 2027 are yet to be confirmed. Based on the 2026 Programme Guide, eligible courses have been for 2–30 days, focused on active, structured training, with funding set at 80 euros per day per participant, capped at 800 euros per course block, with travel and subsistence in addition.
Key Action 2 (KA2): partnerships
KA2 supports collaboration between organisations in different countries.
Designed for smaller organisations or those new to Erasmus. Partnerships run from between six months to two years and involve at least two organisations from different countries. Erasmus+ offers fixed fund grants (eg 30,000 euros or 60,000 euros)
These are suitable for experienced organisations or larger-scale projects. These involve at least three organisations from different countries and focus on innovative approaches. The projects typically run for between one and three years. Grant options are larger (eg 120,000 euros, 250,000 euros or 400,000 euros).
Key Action 3 (KA3): policy development and cooperation
KA3 focuses on cooperation between governments and institutions at policy level. It is less directly relevant for most language centres.
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What types of ELT activity may be eligible?
English UK members may be able to contribute to a range of Erasmus+ activities, including:
Adult education: teacher training and professional development (KA1)
- English language teaching methodology
- CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning)
- EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction)
- leadership and management training
- digital learning and assessment
- language refresher courses
School and youth programmes (KA1)
- short English language courses with defined learning outcomes
- study visits for school or youth groups
- combined language and cultural programmes
- English plus work shadowing or vocational elements
Partnership and innovation projects (KA2)
- developing new courses or learning materials eg new curricula, digital frameworks or pedogeological tool kits
- sharing best practice
- innovation and capacity-building projects
These examples are indicative. Final eligibility will depend on programme rules and project design.
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All Erasmus+ activities must align with at least one of the 2021-2027 programme's core priorities. The four priorities are:
- digital transformation (including AI literacy in education, blended learning, and digital materials)
- inclusion and diversity (supporting learners with special educational needs or fewer opportunities)
- environmental sustainability (promoting sustainability, green practices, and climate awareness.issues)
- participation in democratic life (focusing on media literacy, critical thinking and civic engagement).
Reflecting these priorities in course design and descriptions will likely strengthen your appeal to European partners that are sending individuals through the KA1 funding route.
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Indicative timeline
These timings are indicative and subject to change. Dates will be confirmed in the official 2027 Erasmus+ Call for Proposals, but current expectations are:
- Autumn 2026: 2027 Erasmus+ programme guide published
- November 2026: funding call opens
- February 2027: application deadline
- Summer 2027: funding decisions announced
- Autumn 2027 onwards: projects and mobility activities begin
This is the last year of the 2021 – 2027 Erasmus+ programme but the first for the UK, so timelines are short.
What members may wish to do now (summer 2026)
These webinars are organised by sector. Note there is no specific strand for ELT, but those for other sectors will be of interest. Each webinar and recording focuses on a specific topic including:
- new to Erasmus
- KA1 – mobility of individuals
- KA2 – cooperation among organisations and institutions
- finding partners.
2. Engage existing partners
- Speak to European schools, colleges and agents you already work with.
- Explore potential Erasmus+ funded activity together.
Remember you don't have to wait until 2027 to host funded European partners. European schools that hold Erasmus+ accreditation can allocate a percentage of their existing funding to send their staff or trainees to 'third countries'. The UK remains a 'third country' until the end of December 2026, so some organisations may already be able to fund mobility to the UK within their existing Erasmus+ allocations.
Encourage your European partners to consider the UK now.
3. Review and position your programmes
European organisations are likely to be preparing applications during 2026, so early positioning may be beneficial.
- Identify courses that could fit Erasmus+ requirements.
- Ensure clear learning outcomes and structured content.
- Rebrand to reflect Erasmus+ priorities (digital, inclusion, sustainability, professional development, etc.) and mirror the language used in the Erasmus+ guidance in the course descriptions.
4. Prepare for participation
Set up an EU Login Account and obtain an Organisation ID (OID).
You will need an OID to access the EU organisation system for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity. It is through this EU system that you can apply for actions managed by the Erasmus+ National Agencies or become a partner in a project.
The ESEP is the centralised marketplace where teachers and project coordinators go to find course providers and partnerships.
Note: these programme systems and platforms may evolve as the UK re-enters Erasmus+.
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Information about the UK's 2027 participation in Erasmus+ is still evolving. English UK will provide key updates once these become available.
Further information
> UK national funding agency (British Council) website
> UK Government's overview of the Erasmus+ programme guidance
> European Commission's Erasmus+ website
> English UK news item, April 2026: UK and EU finalise agreement on UK participation in Erasmus+ from 2027
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