International Support Networks and Services - Laying the groundwork for long-term cooperation
Main Info
TCA Description
This Training and Cooperation Activity (TCA), organised within the framework of the International Support Networks and Services LTA, focuses on the development of an international support system in the SE and VET sectors.
The goal is to explore, define and co-create effective mentoring practices, while building a shared European vision of what it means to be a mentor in the context of Erasmus+. Special attention is given to:
- Creating mentor identity and competence profiles
- Fostering cross-cultural exchange of mentoring practices
- Building a sustainable, value-driven international support network for future Erasmus+ applicants
It should be noted that, within the framework of the event, mentors can be any support persons who guide, counsel, or inspire Erasmus+ applicant institutions.
Understanding Mentoring Practices in SE & VET
Within this context, mentoring practices may include:
- Advisory meetings and consultations supporting applicants during call deadlines
- Training sessions, workshops, and webinars for applicants and beneficiaries
- Coaching activities involving newcomer Erasmus+ applicants
- Development and dissemination of ready-to-use resources and practical guides
- Networking events facilitating exchange of practices, dissemination of results, and promotion of the Erasmus+ programme
The TCA will provide a collaborative and interactive environment where participants reflect on their roles, exchange expertise, and actively contribute to shaping the international mentoring landscape.
The event is expected to generate:
- A comprehensive overview of international mentoring models within Erasmus+ (SE & VET)
- A “Tool Fair for Mentors” showcasing:
- Methods for organising impactful promotional workshops
- Coaching approaches to improve project application quality
- Event formats to attract new applicants
- Innovative mentoring tools and methodologies
- Contributions from key stakeholders (mentors, school inspectors, National Agency staff, SALTO E&T representatives) to enhance mentoring support systems
- Inputs towards the LTA long-term objective:
Development of a European-level guidebook for effective mentoring and support systems - A practical action plan to guide mentors in supporting applicants during the Erasmus+ application process
- Strengthening of an international community of mentoring practitioners and National Agency representatives
RO NA will cover 3 night of accommodation in single rooms, arrival on 1st of October, departure of 4th of October, after lunch.
Activity days: 2,5 activity days (2, 3 and half of 4 of October).
All meals, training program, coffee breaks will be covered by the Romanian National Agency too.
Partners and participants
This TCA is designed for participants who are actively engaged in or planning to establish mentoring, advisory or support services within the Erasmus+ programme, particularly in the SE and VET sectors.
We warmly welcome:
Mentors in SE/VET sectors (trainers, coaches, educational officers/inspectors, school and VET ambassadors, other professionals etc.)
Stakeholders involved in the development of national or regional support networks (School inspectors / public institutions representatives supporting SE or VET sector)
Representatives of national agencies (NAs) involved in the creation, design or coordination of mentoring/support systems (ratio recommended 1 NA with 2-5 mentors from the same country)
Trainers and experts working in a field that is like mentoring (internationalisation, or capacity building)
Participants should be open to international collaboration, willing to share practices, and interested in co-developing new models for sustainable mentoring systems at both national and European levels.
A good command of English is essential to actively engage in the interactive sessions.
Pending booked places
Accepted places
TCA Participant Application
Long-term Activity Info
According to the findings in the ‘Mentors’ networks in the Erasmus+ programme’ TCA, which was organized by the Hungarian NA in Budapest on 6-7. In June 2024, we started the preparation for a long-term activity program (LTA).
The goal of the Mentors’ networks in the Erasmus+ programme’ TCA was to get to know different mentor systems from different countries and sectors: bring together the representatives of several NAs, present ideas about how their mentor systems work, try to find some common points how and why mentor systems should work and what common tasks mentors should do, as well as start building mentor network on the international level.
The ‘International Support Networks and Services’ LTA wants to build on the results of the previous TCA; moreover, it would like to extend it. First, regarding the LTA, we would like to involve more countries to introduce and share more information and best practices; second, we would like to formulate how a support network model should operate effectively and efficiently on national and international levels.
Currently, the Erasmus+ programme reaches only a small percentage of institutions, e.g. in Hungary, only appr. 9% of school education and VET institutions applies for Erasmus+ projects, moreover, the rate of beneficiaries is just 4%. To engage more participants and increase the number of successful applications, a more effective support and mentoring system needs to be established. The aim of developing a mentoring system is to reach a broader range of institutions and increase the quality of applications, through which more participants could benefit from the opportunities that the Erasmus+ programs offer.
First Meeting: During the online kick-off meeting, partners introduce themselves and discuss the project ideas, the periods, activities and meetings and finalise all the details of the LTA, such as proper activities, deadline, submitted documents, time and the place of in-person meetings, and the outcomes of the LTA; moreover, the framework for cooperation will be defined. (2025 Q1)
Second Meeting: At the second meeting, which will be organised in Hungary, participants present the national reports on mentoring/supporting systems and models, share their experiences, and discuss best practices. During discussions, the adaptability of these practices will be examined. The meeting aims to define the common points that could form the basis of the proposal package. (from 2025 Q3-Q4)
Third Meeting: The third meeting will be organised in Hungary in the form of an international dissemination conference, where the partners present the project results, the comparative transnational report highlighting best practices. (2026 Q3-Q4)
Supporting Model and Proposal Package: Based on successfully operating mentoring / supporting models, activities, and best practices, by the end of the LTA project, we intend to develop a Proposal Package, which provides possible mentoring models and a summary of best practices that could be applied in various countries on national level. Moreover, it could be a good tool to draw NAs and national governments’ attention to the need for a supporting network and model.
Dissemination Conference: The final event of the project is an international dissemination meeting or conference organised in Hungary, where the project results, best practices, and the model of a supporting/mentoring system will be presented.