Events

The following strategies and statements serve as key principles and rationale of the LTA:

• Council Recommendation ‘Europe on the Move’ – learning mobility opportunities for everyone: The Council recommendation has set new targets to be achieved at EU level by 2030: At least 12 % of learners in VET should benefit from learning mobility abroad a share of at least 20 % of people with fewer opportunities among all learners benefiting from learning mobility abroad at EU level by 2027. 

• The EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 addresses young people’s concerns and aims to encourage young people to participate in democratic life, support social and civic engagement, and ensure that all young people have the resources they need to play an active part in society.

• “Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement” is one of the horizontal priorities of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Programmes. The Erasmus+ Programme addresses the citizens’ limited participation in democratic processes and their lack of knowledge about the European Union. Therefore, the Programme tries to help them overcome the difficulties in actively engaging and participating in their communities and in the Union's political and social life. The “Youth Participation Strategy” for the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Programmes underlines the relevance of the priority and the involvement of young people in democratic life.

• Teaching and promoting democratic participation and European values is a central task of education to maintain our democracies and ensure social and political participation of young people.

The EuroApprentices Network has cooperated in the last years with the European Alliance of Apprenticeship to highlight the importance of mobilities to make VET more attractive. The LTA will also keep an eye on a strategy on VET Ursula von der Leyen will propose corresponding to the political guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029), which aims to give VET the importance it deserves.

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Participating in the LTA, every NA needs to implement a national network of Erasmus+ Ambassadors. The profile of potential EuroApprentices can differ from country to country. Each NA selects their own participants on the basis of the following criteria:

• They participate or have participated in a VET programme.

• They have realized a stay abroad through Erasmus+ Programme.

Each participating NA is responsible for detailed formal arrangements. It is a common standard that the participants get a training at national level before or after having joined the network. New and most active EuroApprentices are invited to the annual International EuroApprentices Meeting which is one of the core activities of the network. EuroApprentices in general should not get a payment for performing their activities, but their travel and subsistence costs are reimbursed. Further specific activities in the framework of the LTA will be defined in a yearly work plan. 

The following results are expected to be achieved by the activities of the LTA:

• Raising awareness and visibility of EuroApprentices Network: The EuroApprentices Network will gain significant visibility among stakeholders and NAs through targeted communication, participation in conferences, and engagement with NAs to showcase its benefits and success stories in VET.

• Training of Erasmus+ Ambassadors in VET: Training will be provided at national and international levels to equip EuroApprentices with skills and knowledge for effective advocacy of Erasmus+ and VET. This includes facilitating workshops and representing the Programme at various events, enhancing their impact and fostering democratic participation.

• Strengthening Democratic Participation of VET students: Activities such as workshops and discussions will promote active civic engagement, raise awareness about European values, and encourage EuroApprentices to engage in dialogues with politicians and society.

• Strengthening visibility of Inclusion and Diversity in Erasmus+ and among the network: The network will highlight stories of members who have overcome barriers, demonstrating the accessibility of the Erasmus+ Programme. Efforts will also include recruiting more Ambassadors from underrepresented groups to showcase their successes and inspire others.

• Extending cooperation with Salto PI and other stakeholders: Collaboration with SALTO PI will be enhanced, with SALTO PI advising and participating in online meetings. The NAs will continue to send EuroApprentices to events of stakeholder e.g. LTA P.E.A.C.E., European Alliance of Apprenticeship etc., promoting cross-sectoral networking and the understanding of civic engagement.

• Enhancing the community of Erasmus+ Ambassadors in VET: The community of Erasmus+ Ambassadors will be strengthened by involving more countries and NAs. Ambassadors will be encouraged to communicate and collaborate regularly, improving their ability to advocate for VET opportunities and contribute to the Erasmus+ Programme‘s success.

The predicted results will be revised in an Evaluation Meeting at the end of Phase II.