Call for proposals EAC / S01 / 2012 - Pilot project for the development of sector skills alliances

Deadline: 16 August 2012

Introduction

The call for proposals is based on the decision establishing the Lifelong Learning Programme and on the Lifelong Learning Programme work programme 2012, financing decision C(2012) 1823 of 23 March 2012. It tests a new type of strategic partnership proposed in Erasmus for All.

Background

Today shortages of vocational skills have become a serious problem in many economic sectors. Consequently, Europe has to better match demand for and supply of skills.

The Europe 2020 Strategy has set an ambitious target of a 75% employment rate to be achieved by 2020. In this context, the Bruges Communiqué calls for vocational and educational training (VET) to better respond to labour market needs. This requires improved understanding of emerging and evolving sectors and their skills needs as well as better mechanisms to translate this understanding into corresponding training provision.

The Commission's proposal for a future programme "Erasmus for All" foresees a new category of transnational partnership called Sector Skills Alliances (SSA) to promote cooperation between three categories of partners: the world of education and training (VET providers); sector-specific expertise (including social partners, sectoral federations, Chambers etc.); and bodies involved in education and training systems (public or private bodies or authorities).

Drawing on evidence of skills needs and trends, SSA will work to design and deliver joint curricula and methods which provide learners with the skills required by the labour market. The overall goal is systemic impact on training in the economic sectors concerned in order to increase their competitiveness.

The current call for proposals provides and direct support for testing Sector Skills Alliances to draw lessons for future implementation.

Call for proposals

Annex 1: Call for proposals

Information session (10 May 2012)

Selected projects

Frequently asked questions on the call for proposals

This document (version of 1/08/2012) provides some additional information related to this call for proposals.

Application package

The application package is composed of the following documents:

• Annex I: Grant application form including description of the action
  Word format
  Pdf format
  Odt format
  • Annex 2 - Legal entity form (applicant organization only – Available from Europa portal in several languages)
  • Annex 3 - Financial identification form (applicant organization only – Available from Europa portal in several languages
  • Annex 4 - Financial capacity form (applicant organization only if non pulic body)
    Word format
    Pdf format
    Odt format
  • Annex 5 - CVs of key project staff

• Annex II: Estimated budget and eligible budget of the action
  Corrigendum: the template of the estimated and eligible budget has been updated and replaced
  Excel format
  Pdf format

• Annex III: Mandate letter from each organization involved in the alliance conferring powers of attorney from the co-beneficiaries to the main applicant (coordinator)
  Corrigendum: the Mandate letter has been replaced
  Word format
  Pdf format
  Odt format

Supporting information

• Lump sums and flat-rate financing authorised for 2012 SSA pilot projects
• Budget: list of supporting documents
  Excel format
  Pdf format
• Model draft agreement

Further background

• Erasmus for All (2014-2020)
• Europe 2020 flagship initiative 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs'
• Copenhagen Process
• Bruges Communiqué

Contact

For further information and specific queries about the call, please contact the European Commission EAC-B4 as follows:

• mailbox: EAC-SSA-2012@ec.europa.eu

or

• fax number (virtual): +32-2-2955704