General overview of the Lifelong Learning Programme

The Lifelong Learning Programme for Community Action in the Field of Lifelong Learning (the Lifelong Learning Programme - LLP) has been established by the Decision 1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006 (OJ L327 of 24/11/2006)  .  The general objective of the LLP is to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, while ensuring good protection of the environment for future generations. In particular, it aims to foster interchange, co-operation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference.

The Lifelong Learning Programme is established to address the modernisation and adaptation of Member State education and training systems, particularly in the context of the strategic Lisbon goals, and brings European added value directly to individual citizens participating in its mobility and other co-operation actions.

The structure of the LLP is different from its predecessors. It takes the form of an integrated programme composed of four sectoral sub-programmes, a transversal programme targeted on cross-cutting areas, and a programme to support teaching, research and reflection around European integration and key European institutions.

The LLP supports and supplements action taken by Member States, while fully respecting their responsibility for the content of education and training systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity.

The Lifelong Learning Programme will run for 7 years (2007-2013). The total budget for this period is of 6.970 million euros.

The different objectives of the LLP programme that projects should help to fulfil by participating in the programme are presented below.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

To foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. To contribute to the development of quality Lifelong Learning, to promote high performance, innovation and a European dimension in systems and practices in the field
2. To support the realisation of a European area for Lifelong Learning
3. To help improve the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of the opportunities for Lifelong Learning available within Member States
4. To reinforce the contribution of Lifelong Learning to social cohesion, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, gender equality and personal fulfilment
5. To promote creativity, competitiveness, employability and the growth of an entrepreneurial spirit
6. To contribute to increased participation in Lifelong Learning by people of all ages, including those with special needs and disadvantaged groups regardless of their socio-economic background
7. To promote language learning and linguistic diversity
8. To support the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practices for Lifelong Learning
9. To reinforce the role of Lifelong Learning in creating a sense of European citizenship based on understanding and respect for human rights and democracy, and encouraging tolerance and respect for peoples and cultures
10. To promote cooperation in quality assurance in all sectors of VET in Europe
11. To encourage the best use of results, innovative products and processes and to exchange good practice in the field covered by the Lifelong Learning Programme, in order to improve the quality of education and training

The applicant will be requested to highlight in the application form which LLP specific objectives he aims to achieve.

Each subprogramme also mentions specific and operational objectives to which the applicant should contribute to. These objectives are described in each subprogramme.

Moreover, as indicated in Article 12 of the LLP decision, the programme should also contribute to furthering the horizontal policies of the community, in particular by

1. promoting an awareness of the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity within Europe, as well as of the need to combat racism, prejudice and xenophobia;
2. making provision for learners with special needs, and in particular by helping to promote their integration into mainstream education and training;
3. promoting equality between men and women and contributing to combating all forms of discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.