European Union encourages the development of vocational knowledge and skills and exchange of best practices in vocational education and training (VET) via the Lifelong Learning Programme. Leonardo da Vinci is part of the Europe’s Lifelong Learning policy through which VET professionals and institutions are supported in increasing vocational qualifications and development and transfer of innovative methods and policies throughout Europe. The call for project proposals in Leonardo is now open for new project proposals in vocational training and will be closed in February, 2009.
Leonardo da Vinci Programme aims to increase innovative policies and practices in vocational training and education. Projects to be developed under Leonardo da Vinci Programme focus on the cross-border mobility initiatives and cooperation projects to develop and spread innovation. Up to now, many institutions engaged in vocational training developed new project with the European Union funding.
Deadline for Submission of Mobility Projects is 6 February, 2009
The call for projects to be funded in 2009, was opened in October 2008, and will be closed in February 2009. The projects which aim to increase cross-border mobility of people engaged in VET are required to be submitted to the European Commission as a Leonardo da Vinci Mobility project until 6th February 2008. Mobility projects include the study visits of students, trainees and apprentices in initial vocational training (IVT) in another participating country, transnational mobility of workers, self-employed or people available for employment (including graduates) called as Transnational Placements in Enterprises or Training Institutions (PLM), or transnational mobility of Professionals in Vocational Education and Training (VETPRO). Mobility projects should aim to increase the knowledge, skills, qualifications and capabilities of VET students and professionals and transnational exchange of best practices, and as a result foster the competitiveness of European labour market.
Innovation in Vocational Training is being Transferred with Leonardo Support
Leonardo da Vinci Programme supports the cooperation of VET institutions in promoting innovation in vocational training system, policies and content and transfer of innovation to other European countries. These projects are carried out in cooperation of European institutions engaged in VET. Priority topics for 2009 projects are Transparency and recognition of competences and qualifications, developing the quality and attractiveness of VET systems and practices, developing the skills and competences of VET teachers, trainers and tutors, developing vocational skills considering the labour marketneeds, and raising competence levels of groups at risk. The specific national priorities for projects submitted in Turkey will be declared by the National Agency in the near future. Submission of Transfer of Innovation Multilateral Projects ends in 27 February, 2009.
Besides the mobility projects and Transfer of Innovation projects, there is one more type of projects called Partnership projects which allow more cooperation beyond mobility but has smaller budgets than transfer of innovation. 20 February 2009 is the deadline for the submission of Partnership projects.
Leonardo Contact Seminar Will Take Placein İzmir
In order to get information on the Leonardo da Vinci Programme and increase the cooperation opportunities between institutions in VET in a European scale, Leonardo da Vinci Contact Seminar will be a great opportunity for the interested parties. ‘Transnational Networkings in the Area of International Cooperation in VET’ wil take place in İzmir on the 20-21 November 2008. The seminar will bring together people from VET organizations and the business sector.