EU FUNDED MOBILITY OPPORTUNITIES

With a budget of some €26 billion, Erasmus+ 2021-2027 offers more mobility and cooperation opportunities than ever before. Erasmus+ is aimed at a wide range of people: pupils, students, apprentices, teachers, professionals, job seekers, etc.

The end user, depending of his status, has to get in contact with his sending organisation.

EU resource: | European Commission | Erasmus+ | Opportunities for individuals |

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| More about Erasmus+ on the index page |

The Erasmus+ programme offers specific mobility projects for higher education and training staff, including guidance counsellors. These projects enable participants to take part in training courses, exchanges of good practice or placements in European partner institutions. Participants can receive financial support to cover travel and subsistence costs, with additional support available for those with fewer opportunities or undertaking placements.

EU resource: | European Commission | Erasmus+ > Training opportunities for staff |

The Euroguidance network, active since 1992, offers resources and mobility opportunities dedicated to guidance professionals. It facilitates exchanges between practitioners, access to training and study trips in Europe, and provides tools to support young people in their international mobility. Examples include the Academia programme and the Cross Border Seminar.

EU resource: | Euroguidance > International mobility |

Some calls for projects, such as those launched by regions or the European Social Fund (ESF+), support the mobility of guidance professionals.

EU resource: | European Commission | European Social Fund Plus |

| More about Erasmus+ on the index page |

| More about Euroguidance on the index page |

| More about European Social Fund Plus on the index page |

The European Union offers several funded mobility opportunities that allow volunteers to gain practical experience, develop skills, and contribute to social, educational, cultural, and environmental initiatives across Europe. These opportunities support personal and professional development while promoting solidarity, active citizenship, and intercultural learning.

The European Solidarity Corps is an EU funding programme that enables young people to engage in solidarity activities across Europe and beyond. It supports volunteering, including humanitarian aid, and solidarity projects that address societal challenges such as social inclusion, health, and environmental action. The programme is open to individuals aged 18–30 (up to 35 for humanitarian aid) and aims to be more inclusive, greener, and more digital.

EU resource: | EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS |

In addition, EU initiatives such as EU Aid Volunteers support volunteering in humanitarian and development contexts, offering structured placements combined with training and capacity-building activities.

EU resource: | EU AID VOLUNTEERS |

| More about the EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS on the index page |

The European Union supports the international mobility and career development of researchers through several EU-funded programmes and initiatives. These opportunities enable researchers to gain international experience, strengthen research competences, build professional networks, and contribute to knowledge exchange across Europe and beyond.

EU-funded mobility opportunities for researchers are primarily supported through the MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS under Horizon Europe. These actions fund international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral mobility for doctoral candidates and experienced researchers.

EU resource: | MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS |

The EURAXESS initiative complements MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS by offering practical support for researchers’ mobility. It provides access to job and funding opportunities, information on relocation and working conditions, and personalized assistance through a Europe-wide network of service centres.

EU resource: | EURAXESS |

| More about the EURAXESS on the index page |

The European Union offers a wide range of funded mobility opportunities that support young people in developing skills, gaining international experience, and strengthening their employability. These initiatives promote active participation, intercultural learning, and personal development through formal and non-formal learning experiences abroad.

The ERASMUS+ programme supports youth mobility through youth exchanges, mobility projects for young people and youth workers, and youth participation activities. These opportunities allow young people to take part in learning experiences abroad, enhance key competences, and engage in European cooperation projects.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > FUNDING FOR YOUTH EXCHANGES |

The EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS provides young people with opportunities to participate in volunteering activities and solidarity projects across Europe and beyond. Participants receive comprehensive financial support, including travel, accommodation, insurance, and living costs, as well as training and language support.

EU resource: | EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS |

| More about ERASMUS+ on the index page |

EU-funded mobility for learners is mainly offered through the Erasmus+ programme (Key Action 1), which finances study, training, work-based learning and youth exchanges abroad for many age groups and sectors. Blended mobilities (short physical stay plus virtual component) are also possible. The programme covers EU member states as well as EEA countries, candidate countries and many partner countries worldwide.

Activities must be organised by an approved organisation (school, VET centre, university, adult education provider, youth or sports organisation, company, NGO, etc.). Individuals apply via these organisations, not directly to the EU. 

EU grants generally cover travel, individual support (subsistence), and sometimes course fees, linguistic support, and extra inclusion support for learners with fewer opportunities or disabilities. Grants are a contribution rather than a full scholarship - amounts vary by country pair and sector, and clients should expect to cover some costs themselves.

Main programmes for learners:

• Higher education (university/college): Study or traineeship abroad at bachelor, master, doctoral and short-cycle levels, usually 2–12 months, with monthly grants and top-ups for fewer-opportunity students. Host institutions cannot charge extra tuition fees, and participants have the right to equal treatment with local learners.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Studying abroad |

• Vocational education and training (VET): Short‑ and long‑term mobility for apprentices and VET learners, plus participation in skills competitions; stays can range from a few weeks to many months and include travel and living support.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Vocational education learners, apprenticeships, and recent graduates |

• Adult learners: Group, short‑term and long‑term mobility for adults in basic skills or non‑formal education, often organised by adult education centres under “short‑term mobility projects”.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Adult learners |

• Youth (non‑formal learning): Youth exchanges and volunteering abroad for young people, typically in groups, focusing on themes like inclusion, environment and active citizenship. For longer volunteering and solidarity activities, see also the European Solidarity Corps, which operates as a separate EU programme.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Funding for youth exchanges and activities |
EU resource: | EUROPEAN YOUTH PORTAL > ERASMUS+ |

• Staff and educators: Teachers, trainers, youth workers and sport staff can go abroad for teaching, training, job shadowing or courses to improve their professional skills.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Teaching opportunities for staff |
EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Training opportunities for staff |
EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Mobility of sport staff |

| More about ERASMUS+ on the index page |

There are several EU-funded mobility opportunities for workers in going abroad for employment, training or professional development. Each worker mobility programme covers a specific sector or purpose. Access is through an intermediary organisation (e.g. EURES adviser, an accredited institution or a programme body). 

Main opportunities:

• EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme (TMS) supports workers aged 18+ across all sectors who want to take up employment, an apprenticeship or a traineeship in another European country (EU-27, Norway Iceland). Financial support can cover job interview travel, relocation, language courses and qualification recognition. Access is provided via a EURES adviser.

EU resource: | EURES > Targeted Mobility Scheme |

• Erasmus+ staff mobility supports professional development through short-term stays abroad for people working in education, training and youth sectors. Activities include job shadowing, training courses and teaching or training assignments. Participation takes place through the employing institution, which must hold Erasmus+ accreditation.

EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Teaching opportunities for staff |
EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Training opportunities for staff |
EU resource: | ERASMUS+ > Mobility of sport staff |

• Culture Moves Europe offers individual mobility grants specifically for artists and cultural professionals, such as curators, producers, cultural managers working in architecture, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing arts or visual arts. The programme runs until 2028 and is open to residents of 41 Creative Europe countries aged 18+.

EU resource: | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > Culture moves Europe |

| More about ERASMUS+ on the index page |
| More about EURES on the index page |
| More about EUROPEAN COMMISSION on the index page |