ERASMUS+ INFORMATION DAY IN EDUCATION: Vocational Education and Training (VET) (03.12.2025, online)
On 3 December 2025 the team of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine organised ERASMUS+ INFORMATION DAY IN EDUCATION: Vocational Education and Training (VET).
The events within the Information Weeks of the EU Erasmus+ Programme were organised with the support of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) in cooperation with the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the National Office for eTwinning Support, the Erasmus+ Youth Information Centre and the European Solidarity Corps, Erasmus Student Network – Ukraine, and the Erasmus Mundus Association – Ukraine.
Around 80 participants representing all types of organisations (public, civil society and private) working in the fields of VET from all over Ukraine took part in the event.
EVENT PROGRAMME (detailed) – download
EVENT PROGRAMME (general) – download
In her welcoming remarks, Iryna SHUMIK, Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, emphasised the key role of international cooperation in the development of vocational and professional pre-higher education in Ukraine. She highlighted that participation in international programmes and partnerships contributes to the modernisation of educational programmes, the introduction of modern approaches to specialist training, strengthening the practical component of learning, and increasing the relevance of learning outcomes to labour market needs. Special attention was paid to the importance of the EU Erasmus+ Programme as a tool for integrating Ukrainian vocational education into the European Education Area, strengthening institutional capacity of institutions, and expanding opportunities for learners and teaching staff in the context of Ukraine’s post-war recovery and European integration.
Within the first part of the event, Svitlana SHYTIKOVA, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, presented the first steps for organisations participating in the Erasmus+ Programme and provided a detailed overview of available resources for newcomers, including the Programme Guide and official Programme portals. She emphasised the importance of analysing existing experience and examples of successful projects, explained how to assess opportunities and organisational eligibility for specific calls, and provided practical advice on partner search and organising effective cooperation among stakeholders during the application preparation process. The speaker also outlined key stages and elements to be considered in order to meet the selection criteria as effectively as possible.
Kateryna ZHDANOVA, Senior Manager of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, explained key online resources of the Erasmus+ Programme, including the main application portals and organisational registration tools such as PIC and OID. She demonstrated in detail how to complete registration, set up an organisational profile, and verify compliance with eligibility criteria for participation in calls.
The second session of the event focused on open opportunities for Ukraine in the field of vocational and professional pre-higher education and practical instruments of international cooperation within the EU Erasmus+ Programme.
Zhanna TALANOVA, Deputy Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, and Veronika IVANOVA, Manager of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, presented in detail opportunities for VET institutions. They outlined the key objectives and priorities of the respective calls, requirements for partnerships and consortium composition, specifics of application form preparation, and project proposal assessment criteria. Particular attention was paid to the role of such projects in modernising educational programmes, improving the quality of education, strengthening institutional capacity of VET institutions, and enhancing their integration into the European Education Area.
Kateryna ZHDANOVA focused on Programme opportunities for youth and youth worker exchanges, explaining the objectives and formats of such exchanges, minimum partnership requirements, and the potential of these instruments for developing professional and intercultural competences of participants and strengthening the role of educational institutions in youth work.
Kateryna PUHACHOVA, Project Manager and Coordinator from Folkuniversitetet in Ukraine, presented practical experience and perspectives for cooperation with the organisation, outlined possible areas of joint initiatives in vocational and adult education, and highlighted the benefits of partnerships with European institutions for implementing innovative approaches, exchanging experience, and developing international educational projects.
In the final session of the event, Veronika IVANOVA and Zhanna TALANOVA presented in detail the practical stages of preparing the PIF and the Concept Note as key tools for effective international partner search and further development of a competitive project application within the Erasmus+ Programme. The speakers focused on the structure, purpose, and logic of these documents, explained how to clearly formulate a project idea, define a relevant problem, objectives, expected results, and target groups. Special attention was given to aligning the PIF and Concept Note with Programme priorities, call requirements, and potential partnership formats, as well as to common mistakes to be avoided at the initial stage of application preparation. Using practical examples, the speakers demonstrated how these tools can be used to establish communication with potential partners, form a consortium, and lay the groundwork for the successful submission of a full application form.
USEFUL RESOURSES and PRESENTATIONS – via the link.