Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The main objective of the CoVE initiative is the establishment and development of transnational collaborative networks that bring together local and regional VET stakeholders (VET institutions, companies and other employers, social partners, authorities, higher education institutions, research institutes, etc.) in strong and broad public-private partnerships, thereby creating comprehensive skills ecosystems for innovation, regional development, and social inclusion and supporting European competitiveness.
The CoVEs are expected to develop innovative VET practices, e.g. for use of digital technologies, including AI, contribute to VET attractiveness and inclusion as well as applied research and innovation, facilitate mobility and apprenticeships and professional development of teachers and trainers, work together on joint VET provisions incl. micro-credentials, etc.
Detailed Call Description
This action supports the gradual establishment and development of international collaborative networks of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs). CoVEs will operate at two levels:
- At national level involving a wide range of local stakeholders creating skills ecosystems for local innovation, regional development, and social inclusion, while working with CoVEs in other countries through international collaborative networks.
- At international level bringing together CoVEs that share a common interest in:
- specific sectors or industrial ecosystems;
- innovative approaches to tackle economic and societal challenges (e.g. climate change, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainable development goals, integration of migrants and disadvantaged groups, upskilling people with low qualification levels, etc.); or
- innovative approaches to increase the outreach, quality and effectiveness of existing CoVEs.
This call will thus support projects bringing together local or regional partners from various countries developing a set of activities under three clusters; 1) Teaching and learning, 2) Cooperation and partnerships, and 3) Governance and Funding.
The projects must include the design of a long-term action plan for the progressive roll-out of project deliverables after the project has finished. This plan shall be based on sustained partnerships between education and training providers and key labour market actors at the appropriate level. It should include the identification of appropriate governance structures, as well as plans for scalability and financial sustainability. While the Erasmus+ CoVE initiative promotes a European dimension to VET Excellence, the EU policy on VET Excellence also has an international dimension, supported by the European Training Foundation (ETF).
More information about the clusters and examples of activities can be found in pages 263-268 of the 2026 Programme Guide (the link can be found under the “Further information” section of the present email).
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The maximum EU grant per project is €4.000.000. This action follows a lump sum funding model.
The lump sum value will be limited to a maximum of 80% of the estimated budget determined after evaluation.
Projects should normally last 48 months.
Thematic Categories
- Education and training
- Industry
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Educational Institutions
- International Organisations
- Legal Entities
- NGOs
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities, if applicable) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies);
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e., EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme);
- be active in the field of vocational education and training or in the world of work.
Organisations active in the field of vocational education and training or in the world of work from third countries not associated to the Programme in Regions 1 to 3 may also participate – as beneficiary or affiliated entity- but not as coordinator. Organisations from other third countries not associated to the Programme may participate as associated partners. Exception: organisations from Belarus (Region 2) are not eligible to participate in this action.
Participating organisations can be, for example (non-exhaustive list):
- VET providers
- VET provider representative organisations
- Companies, industry, other employers or sector representative organisations
- National/regional qualification authorities
- Research institutes
- Innovation agencies
- Regional development authorities
- International organisations active in the VET field
Consortium composition
The partnership must include at least 8 applicants (beneficiaries) from a minimum of 4 EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
Each EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme must include:
- at least 1 enterprise, industry, other employers or sector representative organisation, and
- at least 1 vocational education and training provider (at secondary and/or tertiary level).
The coordinating organisation must be from an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme.
The applicant must address 3 clusters of activities (providing details on the concrete actions and deliverables). For each cluster, a minimum number of activities must be selected from the list below:
- at least 4 activities under Cluster 1 – Teaching and learning,
- at least 3 activities under Cluster 2 – Cooperation and partnership, and
- at least 2 activities under Cluster 3 – Governance and funding
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Foundation for the Management of European (EU) Lifelong Learning Programmes
Website: Erasmus+ – IDEP
Website with Contact details: Εpikoinonia – Erasmus+ – IDEP
Address: Prodromou & Dimitrakopoulou 2, Nicosia 1090, Cyprus
Τelephone: +357 22448888
Email: info@idep.org.cy