Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013

Call for Proposals 2009 - Learning partnerships

Agence Education Formation - Europe

FROM THE FIRST IDEA… FROM THE FIRST IDEA… TO THE REAL WORKING PLANTO THE REAL WORKING PLAN

« A brilliant idea for a transnational project? What are the next steps? »

• Define your objectives precisely.

• Make sure you will be supported by your institution.

• Find the appropriate partners.

• Agree on a common working plan.

1.1. Define your objectives preciselyDefine your objectives precisely

A. Ask yourself the following questions:

«  Why would I like to carry out this project?»

«  What am I aiming at within a European framework?»

«  What changes would I like to bring about? »

«  Does my idea reflect a real need?»

B. Write down your ideas…

....to be able to explain them: - within your institution

- to your potential partners

*Clarify your goals, the planned actions and expected results.

C. A large variety of possible themes!!!

• According to your professional interests

& implication of learners.

• The project has to bring about additional value: * different cultures, education systems, methodologies…  

• Themes should be in line with your usual activities.

• Preferential themes:– programme objectives.– (European priorities): not in 2009.– (national priorities): to be checked with your national agencies.

2. Integrate the project into your institutionIntegrate the project into your institution

= Institution as a whole.

• Support from your colleagues and direction is essential.

• Create a local working group

& organise internal meetings to clarify your expectations.

• Firstly, estimate your capacities and available resources.

• Involve the learners

& and the local community.

3. 3. Find appropriate partnersFind appropriate partners

A. Prepare your search

• Define your expectations clearly.

• Define the Call for cooperation

- explain your ideas,

- describe your institution (type, size, philosophy, activities, target group),

- write your plan in English.

 B. Tools to help you finding partners

• Activate your own networks

• Take part in a contact seminar

• Organise a preparatory visit

• Internet database: PARTBASE

• Get some inspiration from former projects : compendium

• Contact organisations and networks in the relevant sector• Contact the local authorities of the cities you are interested in

• Take advantage from town twinnings

• Comenius and Grundtvig trainings

C. Create a solid partnership

Take the necessary time for finding the appropriate partners!!!

Two-year partnership! Impact on the quality of actions and results. Call for candidatures: yearly!

Document ”How to identify appropriate partners: criteria check list”

• Countries: 31 participating countries : 27 members of EU + Norway-Lichtenstein -Iceland

+Turkey.– According to preferential theme.– Give priority to a real European approach: geographical diversity.

• Size:– 3 countries minimum, including at least 1 member of EU. – However, foresee a larger number of participants (without becoming

unmanageable though) because of: • selection of high-quality applications until budget.• withdrawal of one partner (staff fluctuation, change of the institution’s

priorities, illness, etc.)

• Motivation – Understand the expectations of every partner

& agree on a minimal common basis.

• Type– Variety of institutions and approaches

= Opportunity to enrich exchanges.

• Language- Agree on a common working language.

* basics/interpretation

• Responsibility– Identify a contact person per institution.

– Time and energy consuming.

– Previous moral commitment.

4. 4. Agree on the working planAgree on the working plan

«  We would like to participate in your project. The idea looks interesting but what exactly do you have in mind?»

What are the expectations of each partner?

A. Reach a mutual understanding  

• Differences! – Cultures, languages, educational systems, approaches,

reference frameworks, concepts*, priorities.

• → Create a common concept framework.

→ Cross-check your expectations and particularities.

Be flexible.

«  Are we talking about the same thing? »

B. Definition of tasks and duties

• A partnership is a cooperation project = equal task distribution.

• Discuss about available resources (staff, time, expertise, IT, equipment, budget) and restrictions.

• Every partner is responsible for the activities taking place in his institution.

* The Coordinator

→ Decisions to be taken by the partners: choice of the coordinator and definition of his role* «  Letter box » - contact person: fills in reports and gathers information.

* «  Real coordinator » : follows different actions and coordinates them.* «  General manager »: key person (organises meetings, chooses working method, writes the reviews/reports, sends reminders).

– Necessary qualities :• Experience in European programmes.• Available (time consuming).• Language abilities.• Team spirit and leadership.• communication and organisational skills.

• Usually the institution that initiates the process.• Determine who would take over the coordination in case of

withdrawal – or non selection.

C. Activity planning

Sums up all ideas connected with objectives, working methods and expected results.

Clarify the project stage by stage.

• !!!! Basis of the selection

& annexes to the contract.

What should you include into the activity planning?

• Define your general goal clearly:– « We would like to share our experience and learn how to motivate

adult learners thanks to ICT »

(instead of: ”We would like to motivate adults to learn”)

• Divide your goal into concrete/specific objectives:– « We will collect best practices in order to implement ICT methods

within our institution »

• Define separate actions per objective:– «  Identify and present one best practice in your institution »;

– «  Comment on the presentations and compare them» ;

– «  Identify characteristics of these best practices and put them on the project webpage » ;

– «  Test your partners' best practices within your own institution ».

• Divide the final results into stages in a calendar:– «  We will have the draft version of the webpage content in the

second semester. Its preliminary version will be ready at the end of the first year ».

– Take advantage of transnational meetings as stages of project.

• Define the expected results:– Try to quantify results and make them measurable.– Do not write : «  The result of the project will be an increasing

attention paid towards adult learners »

but rather : « The project will come up with five recommendations of ICT use within the adults’ training programme»

or « Every partner will implement at least one new ICT teaching method in his courses ».

Use the application form to help you in Use the application form to help you in the elaboration of your working plan.the elaboration of your working plan.

• « Grundtvig Learning Partnerships Navigator »

www.grundtvig.nl

• « Guidelines for applicants Grundtvig Sweden »

www.programkontoret.se

• « QAS project - Project Support for Quality and Sustainability »

www.programkontoret.se

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