Overview
The Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges call for proposals (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH) provides funding for virtual exchange initiatives aimed at fostering intercultural dialogue and developing soft skills among young individuals aged 13 to 30. This program emphasizes the importance of enabling high-quality international and cross-cultural education through digital means, mitigating the limitations associated with physical mobility.
Eligible applicants are primarily organizations involved in higher education and youth work, including both formal and non-formal education entities. The consortium requirement mandates that a project consists of at least four independent entities from different eligible countries, which may include EU member states and certain third countries linked with the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically focusing on the Neighbourhood East region. The countries highlighted in this region are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The thematic focus areas of the projects include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, climate action, and participation in democratic life. Each project aims to enhance critical thinking, media literacy, and soft skills through structured virtual exchanges, facilitating small group activities led by trained facilitators.
The total funding amount for the Neighbourhood East region in 2026 is €2,040,948, with individual projects eligible for a maximum grant of €500,000. Additionally, funding is allocated on a €200 per participant basis, reinforcing the connection between funding and participation levels.
The application process is a single-stage format, allowing applicants to submit completed proposals once, with a deadline set for March 26, 2026. The evaluation criteria will center on the project's relevance, design quality, partnership composition, and anticipated impact, with a minimum score of 60 out of 100 needed for approval.
There is no explicit co-funding requirement, enabling organizations to focus on the implementation of their projects. The application process also lacks detailed information on anticipated success rates, and applicants are encouraged to consult the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for additional procedural guidelines and requirements.
Overall, the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges initiative seeks to support the establishment of digital interactions that can serve as a complement to traditional mobility programs, ultimately enhancing the educational landscape for participants from diverse backgrounds and regions.
Eligible applicants are primarily organizations involved in higher education and youth work, including both formal and non-formal education entities. The consortium requirement mandates that a project consists of at least four independent entities from different eligible countries, which may include EU member states and certain third countries linked with the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically focusing on the Neighbourhood East region. The countries highlighted in this region are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The thematic focus areas of the projects include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, climate action, and participation in democratic life. Each project aims to enhance critical thinking, media literacy, and soft skills through structured virtual exchanges, facilitating small group activities led by trained facilitators.
The total funding amount for the Neighbourhood East region in 2026 is €2,040,948, with individual projects eligible for a maximum grant of €500,000. Additionally, funding is allocated on a €200 per participant basis, reinforcing the connection between funding and participation levels.
The application process is a single-stage format, allowing applicants to submit completed proposals once, with a deadline set for March 26, 2026. The evaluation criteria will center on the project's relevance, design quality, partnership composition, and anticipated impact, with a minimum score of 60 out of 100 needed for approval.
There is no explicit co-funding requirement, enabling organizations to focus on the implementation of their projects. The application process also lacks detailed information on anticipated success rates, and applicants are encouraged to consult the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for additional procedural guidelines and requirements.
Overall, the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges initiative seeks to support the establishment of digital interactions that can serve as a complement to traditional mobility programs, ultimately enhancing the educational landscape for participants from diverse backgrounds and regions.
Detail
The ERASMUS+ Virtual Exchanges call for proposals (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH) supports online people-to-people activities to promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills development. These virtual exchanges aim to provide access to high-quality international and cross-cultural education without physical mobility, leveraging digital platforms to overcome mobility constraints. The call encourages projects involving organizations and participants from EU Member States, third countries associated with the Programme, and third countries not associated with the Programme in eligible regions.
The objectives of this action are to encourage intercultural dialogue with third countries, promote virtual exchanges as a complement to physical mobility, enhance critical thinking and media literacy, foster digital and soft skills development, promote citizenship and common values, and strengthen the youth dimension in EU relations with third countries.
Thematic areas for virtual exchanges include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environment and fight against climate change, and participation in democratic life, common values, and civic engagement. Participating organizations have the flexibility to choose specific topics within these areas, demonstrating the expected impact of their proposals. Gender aspects and the inclusion of socially and economically vulnerable people are to be considered.
Admissibility conditions include compliance with the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026, with a page limit of 40 pages for Part B of the Application Form (Technical Description). Eligible countries and other eligible conditions are described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are also detailed in the Programme Guide.
The evaluation and award process, including submission, evaluation, award criteria, scoring, and thresholds, are described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026. The indicative timeline includes:
Publication of the call: 27 November 2025
Deadline for submitting applications: 26 March 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time)
Evaluation period: April - September 2026
Information to applicants: September 2026
Signature of grant agreement: December 2026
The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026.
Application form templates include a standard application form (ERASMUS BB and LSII) and a detailed budget table (ERASMUS LSII). Guidance is provided in the ERASMUS Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (MGA), and Lump Sum MGA.
Additional documents include the ERASMUS+ Work Programme, ERASMUS Regulation 2021/817, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement, and guidance on how to manage lump sum grants.
The budget overview for 2026 includes:
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-NE ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 2,040,948 EUR
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SMC ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 1,646,667 EUR
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SSA ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 5,174,285 EUR
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-WB ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 1,000,000 EUR
All topics follow a single-stage submission process, with the opening date planned for 4 December 2025 and a deadline of 26 March 2026.
LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.
For help related to this call, contact EACEA-EPLUS-VIRTUAL-EXCHANGES@ec.europa.eu. The deadline for addressing queries is 13 March 2026 (eob). Additional support is available through the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ and the IT Helpdesk.
In summary, this Erasmus+ call focuses on funding virtual exchange projects that promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills among young people. It aims to use digital platforms to connect participants from various countries, fostering skills like critical thinking, media literacy, and teamwork. The call is structured around specific thematic areas aligned with Erasmus+ priorities, and applicants must adhere to guidelines in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process involves a single stage, with a deadline in March 2026. The initiative seeks to complement physical mobility programs and broaden access to international educational experiences.
The objectives of this action are to encourage intercultural dialogue with third countries, promote virtual exchanges as a complement to physical mobility, enhance critical thinking and media literacy, foster digital and soft skills development, promote citizenship and common values, and strengthen the youth dimension in EU relations with third countries.
Thematic areas for virtual exchanges include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environment and fight against climate change, and participation in democratic life, common values, and civic engagement. Participating organizations have the flexibility to choose specific topics within these areas, demonstrating the expected impact of their proposals. Gender aspects and the inclusion of socially and economically vulnerable people are to be considered.
Admissibility conditions include compliance with the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026, with a page limit of 40 pages for Part B of the Application Form (Technical Description). Eligible countries and other eligible conditions are described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are also detailed in the Programme Guide.
The evaluation and award process, including submission, evaluation, award criteria, scoring, and thresholds, are described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026. The indicative timeline includes:
Publication of the call: 27 November 2025
Deadline for submitting applications: 26 March 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time)
Evaluation period: April - September 2026
Information to applicants: September 2026
Signature of grant agreement: December 2026
The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026.
Application form templates include a standard application form (ERASMUS BB and LSII) and a detailed budget table (ERASMUS LSII). Guidance is provided in the ERASMUS Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (MGA), and Lump Sum MGA.
Additional documents include the ERASMUS+ Work Programme, ERASMUS Regulation 2021/817, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement, and guidance on how to manage lump sum grants.
The budget overview for 2026 includes:
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-NE ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 2,040,948 EUR
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SMC ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 1,646,667 EUR
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SSA ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 5,174,285 EUR
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-WB ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants: 1,000,000 EUR
All topics follow a single-stage submission process, with the opening date planned for 4 December 2025 and a deadline of 26 March 2026.
LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.
For help related to this call, contact EACEA-EPLUS-VIRTUAL-EXCHANGES@ec.europa.eu. The deadline for addressing queries is 13 March 2026 (eob). Additional support is available through the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ and the IT Helpdesk.
In summary, this Erasmus+ call focuses on funding virtual exchange projects that promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills among young people. It aims to use digital platforms to connect participants from various countries, fostering skills like critical thinking, media literacy, and teamwork. The call is structured around specific thematic areas aligned with Erasmus+ priorities, and applicants must adhere to guidelines in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide 2026. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process involves a single stage, with a deadline in March 2026. The initiative seeks to complement physical mobility programs and broaden access to international educational experiences.
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Breakdown
Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are organizations involved in higher education and youth, including those involved in non-formal education, youth workers (professional or volunteers), and other organizations from EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions. The call is open to both sectors, meaning projects could involve participants from either only one of them or from both.
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically an ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant (ERASMUS-LS).
Consortium Requirement: The call requires projects to involve organizations and participants from both EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions, implying a consortium approach.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions. The specific eligible regions within the third countries are not detailed in the provided text but are referenced as "eligible regions."
Target Sector: The target sector is education and youth, with a focus on virtual exchanges. The thematic areas include: Inclusion and diversity, Digital transformation, Environment and fight against climate change, Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement. The program also targets the development of soft skills, critical thinking, and media literacy.
Mentioned Countries: EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions.
Project Stage: The project stage is focused on implementation and deployment of virtual exchanges, suggesting projects should be at the development or validation stage, ready to be integrated into educational programs or youth projects.
Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-NE: EUR 2,040,948, ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SMC: EUR 1,646,667, ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SSA: EUR 5,174,285, ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-WB: EUR 1,000,000. These are lump sum grants.
Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.
Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.
Success Rates: The indicative number of grants is not specified in the provided text.
Co-funding Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.
Summary:
The Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges call (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH) is a funding opportunity under the Erasmus+ Programme that supports virtual exchange projects. These projects aim to promote intercultural dialogue and develop soft skills among young people through online people-to-people activities. The call is open to organizations involved in higher education and youth from EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions. Projects should integrate virtual exchanges into youth projects or higher education courses, fostering digital and soft skills, critical thinking, and media literacy. The thematic areas include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environment and climate change, and democratic participation. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying amounts allocated to different topics, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call aims to encourage intercultural dialogue, enhance digital skills, and promote European values among young people, especially those unable to participate in physical mobility programs. The deadline for submitting applications is 26 March 2026.
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically an ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant (ERASMUS-LS).
Consortium Requirement: The call requires projects to involve organizations and participants from both EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions, implying a consortium approach.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions. The specific eligible regions within the third countries are not detailed in the provided text but are referenced as "eligible regions."
Target Sector: The target sector is education and youth, with a focus on virtual exchanges. The thematic areas include: Inclusion and diversity, Digital transformation, Environment and fight against climate change, Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement. The program also targets the development of soft skills, critical thinking, and media literacy.
Mentioned Countries: EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions.
Project Stage: The project stage is focused on implementation and deployment of virtual exchanges, suggesting projects should be at the development or validation stage, ready to be integrated into educational programs or youth projects.
Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-NE: EUR 2,040,948, ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SMC: EUR 1,646,667, ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SSA: EUR 5,174,285, ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-WB: EUR 1,000,000. These are lump sum grants.
Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.
Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.
Success Rates: The indicative number of grants is not specified in the provided text.
Co-funding Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.
Summary:
The Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges call (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH) is a funding opportunity under the Erasmus+ Programme that supports virtual exchange projects. These projects aim to promote intercultural dialogue and develop soft skills among young people through online people-to-people activities. The call is open to organizations involved in higher education and youth from EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions. Projects should integrate virtual exchanges into youth projects or higher education courses, fostering digital and soft skills, critical thinking, and media literacy. The thematic areas include inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environment and climate change, and democratic participation. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying amounts allocated to different topics, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call aims to encourage intercultural dialogue, enhance digital skills, and promote European values among young people, especially those unable to participate in physical mobility programs. The deadline for submitting applications is 26 March 2026.
Short Summary
Impact The funding aims to promote intercultural dialogue and develop soft skills among young people through online virtual exchanges. | Impact | The funding aims to promote intercultural dialogue and develop soft skills among young people through online virtual exchanges. |
Applicant Applicants should have experience in higher education or youth sectors, particularly in organizing non-formal education activities. | Applicant | Applicants should have experience in higher education or youth sectors, particularly in organizing non-formal education activities. |
Developments The funding will support virtual exchange projects that focus on inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and democratic participation. | Developments | The funding will support virtual exchange projects that focus on inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and democratic participation. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for organizations involved in higher education and youth sectors, including youth organizations and higher education institutions. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for organizations involved in higher education and youth sectors, including youth organizations and higher education institutions. |
Consortium The funding requires a consortium of at least 4 independent entities from 4 different eligible countries. | Consortium | The funding requires a consortium of at least 4 independent entities from 4 different eligible countries. |
Funding Amount The maximum funding amount per project is €500,000, with a total budget of €2,040,948 allocated for the Neighbourhood East region. | Funding Amount | The maximum funding amount per project is €500,000, with a total budget of €2,040,948 allocated for the Neighbourhood East region. |
Countries Relevant countries include EU Member States and Neighbourhood East countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. | Countries | Relevant countries include EU Member States and Neighbourhood East countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. |
Industry This funding targets the education and youth sectors, specifically through virtual exchanges. | Industry | This funding targets the education and youth sectors, specifically through virtual exchanges. |
Update Log
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