Recommendations on the implementation of the EU Erasmus+ Programme for Mobility Actions (KA1)

The European Commission informs about the developed recommendation “Note for the attention of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps National Agencies directors” in regard to the COVID-19 measures.

Mainly, in the higher education, the European Commission recommends to use blended/virtual mobility within the KA1 international credit mobility projects implementation with the focus on the following:

–  HEIs should encourage a blended mobility approach, i.e. to start with a period of virtual mobility abroad, to be combined with a physical mobility abroad with a minimum duration as set in the 2020 Programme Guide (when possible);

–  In case of a force majeure situation, the duration of the physical mobility period can be reduced or cancelled and be replaced by an extension of the virtual mobility period;

–  Periods of interruption between the virtual and physical mobility periods are allowed, provided that the activity is carried out within the mobility project duration;

–   During the “virtual period”, the participant does not receive a grant (Individual support) but the beneficiary organisation receives the normal rate of the Organisation support per participant. Once the physical mobility period starts, the participant is entitled to get the regular grant for the period abroad;

– These activities will need to be confirmed with supporting documents to verify participation. In the field of higher education, when relevant, virtual and blended mobility activities can be confirmed by the Transcript of Records; 

– Both mobility periods (virtual and physical) count towards recognition of learning outcomes;

– If duly justified and documented, beneficiaries can cover costs related to buying and/or renting of equipment and/or services necessary for the implementation of virtual and blended mobility activities, even if no funds were initially allocated to the Exceptional costs budget category;

– If duly justified and documented by the beneficiary, National Agencies may also consider eligible any special needs support claimed in order to allow the participation of participants with special needs in virtual activities, under the same rules as specified in the Programme Guide.

Information for participants regarding expenses or additional costs related to ICM mobilities:

– participants have to get in touch with their home and host university to inquire whether participants’ costs can be covered;

– the beneficiary in the Programme Country will need to contact its National Agency to check the eligibility of the costs and whether there is available funding to cover those costs;

– participants will need to document their expenses.

The general COVID-19 measures are available at the following links:

–       Official FAQ to participants and beneficiaries

–       Factsheet with practical advice to participants

–       Learning mobility impact survey results

In case of any questions or assistance with clarification of the rules, please contact the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine ([email protected]).

Additionally, all EU docs related to COVID-19 could be found at the link here.