Learner mobility

The then Ministry for EU Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection launched calls for applications for the European Social Fund+ 2021-2027 programme, targeting various actions that support quality and inclusive education and enhanced lifelong learning for growth. The actions proposed need to be in line with one of the following two specific objectives:

• Specific Objective ESO4.6 aims to promote equal access to and completion of quality, inclusive education and training. This includes supporting disadvantaged groups across various educational levels, from early childhood education and care through tertiary education and adult learning. The objective also focuses on facilitating learning mobility for all and ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities under the European Social Fund+. 

• Specific Objective ESO4.7 is centred on promoting lifelong learning, particularly by offering flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for everyone. This includes emphasising entrepreneurial and digital skills, anticipating changes and new skill requirements based on labour market needs, facilitating career transitions, and promoting professional mobility. This objective falls under the ESF+ and aims to empower individuals to adapt to evolving workforce demands.

The primary objective of this call is to promote lifelong learning (LLL) among public service employees, within Government departments, public entities, social partners, Non-governmental Organisations and voluntary organisations. These efforts aim to encourage and support the development of locally coordinated adult education programmes within communities.       

Erasmus+

Adult Education Mobility Projects, offered within the Erasmus+ programme, aim to assist adult education providers and other organisations involved in adult education by facilitating learning mobility activities in foreign countries for both adult learners and education staff.

Participation in Adult Education Mobility Projects is open to any organisation in Malta, engaged in providing Adult Education or active in the field. Low-skilled learners who are enrolled in an Adult Education programme, are eligible for this initiative. These learners would have often not progressed beyond MQF level 3 (equivalent to secondary level education) and are considered to be at risk.  Additionally, funding for adult education extends to learners with low digital skills who lack the International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL) certification or equivalent qualifications reflecting updates in IT over the past 5 years.

Funding for Adult Education Mobility Projects covers various aspects to support the implementation of mobility activities. This includes organisational support for preparation costs and participant assistance, travel expenses covering return travel from the participant's home country to the activity venue, individual support for subsistence during the activity, and inclusion support for participants facing additional challenges. Additionally, preparatory visits to the host organisation, course fees, linguistic support for language learning materials and training, and exceptional costs like financial guarantees or visas are also covered. These provisions aim to ensure smooth and inclusive participation in adult education mobility initiatives.

The activities involving these learners can include various forms of mobility, such as group mobility, as well as short-term or long-term mobility.  Education providers and organisations active in adult education have two options to apply for funding:

- Short-term projects for learner mobility offer organisations the opportunity to arrange diverse mobility activities spanning six to eighteen months. Ideal for first-time Erasmus+ applicants or those with a limited scope of activities, these projects allow for up to three grants within any five consecutive call years in the field of adult education.

- Accredited projects for learner mobility are reserved for organisations possessing an Erasmus accreditation in adult education. Tailored to these accredited entities, this funding stream ensures consistent support for mobility activities, in line with their Erasmus Plan.

Teacher and trainer mobility

Erasmus+

Staff mobility under Erasmus+ includes physical mobility activities, job shadowing for a duration of 2 to 60 days, teaching or training assignments spanning from 2 to 365 days, to courses and training sessions lasting from 2 to 30 days, with a maximum of 10 days allocated for course fees per participant. Additionally, these activities can be supplemented with virtual components. Qualitative requirements must be met for all implemented activities:

- Job shadowing involves participants spending time at a hosting organisation in another country, observing and interacting with peers or experts to acquire new practices and ideas.

- Teaching or training assignments allow participants to teach or train learners at a hosting organisation abroad, facilitating learning through task completion and peer exchange.

- Courses and training entail structured learning programmes led by qualified professionals, involving participants from at least two different countries to foster interaction and learning. Passive activities such as lectures or mass conferences are not supported.

Activities must include a clear transnational component, promoting interaction between participants from different countries and integrating elements of transnational knowledge transfer. The content must be relevant to professional skills and project objectives. 

Activities must take place abroad, within EU Member States or associated third countries. Documentation of learning outcomes is crucial, requiring a pre-mobility learning agreement and post-mobility recognition of achieved outcomes through documents like Europass Mobility.