The Grundtvig Programme is part of the European Commission's new Lifelong Learning Programme and aims to strengthen the European dimension in adult education and lifelong learning across Europe

Grundtvig specifically seeks to address the educational challenge of an ageing population and to provide adults with alternative pathways to updating their skills and competences. Grundtvig encompasses all types of learning, whether these take place in the 'formal' or 'non-formal' system of education for adults, or in more 'informal' ways, such as autonomous learning, community learning or experiential learning.

Anyone in adult education can participate including adult learners, teachers and trainers from a variety of organisations including local authorities, non-governmental organisations, charities, universities, community groups, etc. 'Adult' in the Grundtvig sense refers to all persons over the age of 25 and all persons aged 16-24 who are no longer undergoing initial education within the formal education system.

Grants are available for a wide range of activities. Some examples are basic skills, foreign languages, parental education, arts and culture. All projects involve working with European partners and offer a great learning and personal development experience for staff and learners.

Find out more

You can apply for a mobility grant or a preparatory visit from January 2007. The official call for other types of activities has been launched by the Commission. The first deadline passed on 30 March 2007 - but there will be further calls, with the second 2007 call anticipated in the Autumn.

Contact

The Grundtvig National Agency for the UK is managed by ECOTEC Research and Consulting Ltd. We provide help, advice and guidance on how to apply for Grundtvig. The contact e-mail is: grundtvig@ecotec.com and the helpdesk telephone number 0845 199 1919.

What can you do?

Mobility - training for adult educators

The aim is to improve teaching, coaching, counselling or management skills through attending a structured course, a conference/seminar, or undertaking job shadowing, in another eligible country. The visit is normally for 1-4 weeks but can be up to 6 weeks. As an indication the grant available covers travel, living expenses and course fees.

Learning Partnerships

Grundtvig partnerships are small-scale cooperation projects involving adult education institutions from at least three European countries. These projects focus on themes of mutual interest to the participating organisations and involve the active participation of adult learners. The grant is for two years, up to a maximum of 17,500 Euros and provides a contribution towards local activities, travel and living expenses. To help you meet partners or discuss your project idea you can apply for a preparatory visit grant. This provides a contribution to your travel and living costs to visit a particular partner or to attend special networking events called 'contact seminars' where you can find project partners

Multilateral projects aimed at improving adult education systems

These European projects are aimed at improving adult education systems through the development and transfer of innovation and good practice and involve adult education institutions from at least three European countries. The duration of projects is two years and the EU grant available is 75% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of (indicative) €300,000, i.e. applicants have to make a contribution.

Thematic networks

These projects will involve extensive networks of experts and organisations from across Europe (at least 10 countries) working on developing adult education in their area. The networks are for identifying, improving and disseminating relevant good practice and innovation; providing content support to projects and partnerships; and promoting the development of needs analysis and quality assurance within adult education. Project duration is three years and the maximum EU grant is (indicative) €415,000 which is 75% of eligible costs i.e. applicants have to make a contribution.