1. Sophia Fourlari & Maria Mylona Dpt. of European Educational Programmes
Workshop A:
“Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility: Opening up new paths for international cooperation”
Conclusions
Sophia Fourlari & Maria Mylona
Dpt. of European Educational Programmes

2. Why this workshop?
To highlight the pros and the cons of the Erasmus+ mobility adventure
To exchange experiences
To review attitudes towards critical issues of the Erasmus+ mobilities
To suggest ‘solutions’ to difficulties
To talk on “whatever” on Erasmus+
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3. 4 main pillars of Erasmus+ ICM
Partnerships
Application to get the programme
Implementation of mobilities & programme
Supporting procedures
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4. How did we do it? Separated in 4 teams: Blue, Green, Yellow, Red
Word brainstorming about Erasmus+ International
All 4 groups discussed all 4 pillars
A representative of each team presented the points discussed by the team 4

5. 1st pillar: Partnerships
Compatibility, technology, win-win situation (information is power): exchange of information, build up on communication, bringing in financial support (e.g. sponsors).
Research in departments, conferences, personal contact on admin and academic staff, online communication and personal contacts, national agencies have a practical role to disseminate information, accreditation of the Universities (check the accredited universities), take feedback from students and academics.
History of previous contacts: institutional or personal contacts, well-established past cooperation, participating in projects, networks, all communication channels, events like staff training, situation of coincidence, similarity on academic programmes and curricula, friendly communication, trust and confidence.
Previous experience, plans and policy of the University (staff mobility simple, but different when you add students), all communication channels, web conference, skype conference even for students to check for example language.
History of previous contacts: institutional or personal contacts, well-established past cooperation, participating in projects, networks, all communication channels, events like staff training, situation of coincidence, similarity on academic programmes and curricula, friendly communication, trust and confidence.
Previous experience, plans and policy of the University (staff mobility simple, but different when you add students), all communication channels, web conference, skype conference even for students to check for example language.
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6. 2nd pillar: Application
A form with multiple choice questions, need to simplify the form of the application. Technical difficulties: limitations, information missing (what to include and what not to include). National agencies could assist with that in order to have better harmonization of the criteria. Budget issues and adjustment to mobilities.
Easy to work with because it was on-line. Difficulties: partners not responding on time, for the same university-you were receiving the same questions e.g. dissemination of the results (write down the same things which is a minor for the national agency), takes a lot of time to gather information from academic coordinators, number of mobilities (asked from academic coordinators to give a number of potential mobilities), the issue of criteria: an indicator that the mobilities are going to be realized.
It’s important to have a standard form with already filled in information (basic ones) in order not to write the same things again and again. Less paper is a positive thing. Lack of information. Criteria in this case can be the same ones as those of ‘partners looking’. Culture issues are also important.
The fact that you were applying for the country and not the university, the national agency suggested to use also the English language and vice versa (Poland). To be careful about the hierarchy in each University as well as the ‘who’ makes the decisions.
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7. 3rd pillar: Implementation
Not enough experience
No difficulties in IIA, usually the coordinators initiate the IIA. When the number of the mobilities is small the allocation of the grant is easier. Language: same process as in partner Universities. Appointment of faculty coordinators for the recognition of the courses/necessary part.
IIA: different internal rules of the different universities (deadlines). Allocation of the grant as amount of money and of the countries (Different NAs have different rules). Language should always be checked. Courses recognition is not a problem and is necessary. Some courses can be written as electives; not always the case in some universities students must choose a certain amount of ects. Language B1 or B2.
Language: what is specified in the IIA, what is specified in the application level, and real level.
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8. 4th pillar: Procedures Grant payment Visa and Residence Permit
Difficulties with opening bank accounts – documentation for banks
Short stay of staff – amounts wired abroad – bank expenses
30% of all grants wired abroad after filling in EU Survey
Visa and Residence Permit
Grantees get letter of acceptance
Hellenic Consular Authorities abroad are also informed
In certain countries, consular authorities require more documentation – that is more time & effort
Additional work for residence permits
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9. Erasmus+ International for dummies: Our teams suggest:9

10. Erasmus+ International for dummies: Our teams suggest:10

11. Erasmus+ International for dummies: Our teams suggest:11

12. Erasmus+ International for dummies: Our teams suggest:12

13. Erasmus+ International brings to my mind:

14. Department of European Educational Programmes Thessaloniki, Greece 
Web: