1. SOCRATES II
Second Phase of the Community action programme in the field of education “SOCRATES” 1

2. Essential features Legal basis: Articles 149 & 150 of EC Treaty
7 year time span:
1 Jan Dec 2006
Overall budget:
1850 million EURO for 7 years)
(compared to 933 million ECU for )

3. Who can take part?
pupils, students and all other categories of learners
all categories of staff involved in education (teachers, headteachers, administrators and managers, persons involved in guidance and counselling, inspectorate etc.)
all types of educational institutions
local, regional and national authorities and ministries responsible for education

4. Who else can take part?
Other public and private bodies cooperating with educational institutions, in particular:
Local and regional bodies
Companies
Associations
Other non-profit making organisations
Social partner organisations
Research centres 2

5. 4 Objectives
To contribute to the development of quality education, by:
strengthening the European dimension in education
promoting knowledge of EU languages
promoting cooperation and mobility and removing obstacles
encouraging educational innovation and exploring matters of common policy interest 3

6. Programme structure 8 Actions
School Education (Comenius)
Higher Education (Erasmus)
Other educational pathways (Grundtvig)
Language learning (Lingua)
Open and distance learning/New technologies (Minerva)
Observation and innovation
Joint actions
Accompanying measures 5

7. Allocation of funds Comenius: at least 27% of total budget
Erasmus: at least 51% of total budget
Grundtvig: at least 7% of total budget (at least 8% if possible)
Maximum of 4.5% of annual budget to be spent on technical assistance and national agencies

8. School Education Comenius
Europe and education
School Education
Comenius 1

9. COMENIUS
The School Education Action of the European Community’s Programme “Socrates” on Education 2

10. Participating countries
15 EU Member States
EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
Associated countries (bilateral association agreements) :
Central and Eastern European Countries
Cyprus
Malta
Turkey (in 2003 preparatory activities only) 3

11. Who can participate? Pupils, students and other learners
All categories of educational staff (such as teachers, head teachers, administrative staff, management staff, guidance counselors and inspectors)
All kinds of educational establishments
Education authorities at local, regional and national level 4

12. Who else?
Public and private bodies which co-operate with educational establishments, in particular:
Local and regional bodies
Businesses
Associations
Non-profitmaking organisations
Social partners
Research centers 5

13. Objectives Enhance the quality of education
Reinforce the European dimension of education
Promote the learning of languages
Promote intercultural awareness

14. Overall priorities Equal opportunities Pupils at risk
Children of migrants, Gypsies, travellers and occupational travellers
Pupils with special educational needs
POLICY OF INCLUSION 7

15. Comenius - 3 actions 1. SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
2. TRAINING OF SCHOOL EDUCATION STAFF
3. NETWORKS 6

16. Comenius 1
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS 8

17. Priorities Pupils with special educational needs
Intercultural education, combat racism and xenophobia
Equal opportunities for women and men
Schools lacking experience in European cooperation
Disadvantaged schools and pupils

18. Comenius 1 Three project types : Comenius School Projects
Comenius Language Projects
Comenius School Development Projects 11

19. Comenius School Projects
Objective : to develop and reinforce the European dimension of school education
Format : at least 3 schools from at least 3 countries for 3 years maximum
Area : any theme or topic of common interest to the participating schools 12

20. Comenius Language Projects
Objective : to improve pupils’ motivation and capacity to learn foreign languages
Format : 2 schools in 2 countries for 1 year 13

21. Integrated and multidisciplinary projects
Part of regular school activities
Part of the pupils’ programme of study
Involve several groups of pupils/classes
Bring together various disciplines
Involvement of as many pupils and teachers as possible 14

22. Comenius School Development Projects
Objective : to improve school management and pedagogical approaches
School centered : management and staff
Format : at least 3 schools in at least 3 countries for 3 years maximum
Area : any theme or topic relating to management and pedagogical approaches of common interest to the participating schools 15

23. Examples Integration of pupils with special educational needs
Integration of ethnic minority groups
Preventing and combating racism and xenophobia
Conflict resolution; prevention of violence
Equal opportunities between girls and boys
Acquiring skills in the language of instruction
Adapted teaching methods; classroom management
Involvement of mediators and teaching assistants
Involvement of parents and the local community
Co-operation and co-ordination with local authorities such as social services, health services, employment services, youth services and the police 16

24. Comenius Plan Short and simple paper
Tool for school to plan and evaluate activities under Comenius
Outcome of reflection and discussion between all actors concerned
Point of reference for the National Agencies 10

25. Partners other than schools
Objective : to embed projects in a wider school and local environment
Examples : parents’ associations, pupils’ associations, local and regional authorities, businesses, associations, non-profitmaking organisations, NGOs, museums etc. 17

26. Mobility Support for : Differences according to type of project Staff
Pupils
Differences according to type of project

27. Staff Mobility Outside projects : preparatory visits Within projects :
transnational project meetings
head teacher study visits
teacher exchanges
teacher placements
accompanying class exchanges 18

28. Pupil Mobility Comenius School Projects
Comenius School Development Projects
Comenius Language Projects
participation of limited number of pupils in transnational project meetings
class exchanges for min. 14 days of min. 10 pupils aged 14 years and above 19

29. Financial support Standard amount Variable amount
Various project costs
Transnational mobility of staff and pupils

30. Project grant (1) Standard amount : Covers : Does NOT cover :
max 2000 € / year for co-ordinating school
max 1500 € / year for partner school
Does NOT cover :
staff costs
transnational mobility
Covers :
linguistic preparation
consumables
translation
documentation
software
general administration
other (e.g. minor equipment items)

31. Project grant (2) Variable amount :
travel costs : real cost
subsistence costs :
for staff
in exceptional cases for pupils
max. SOCRATES rates
School Projects and School Development Projects :
appr. 4-6 staff / year / school
appr. 2-4 pupils / year / school
Language Projects :
min. 10 pupils / school

32. Management Decentralised action Your contact point
your National Agency

33. National Agencies National Agencies : provide information to schools
receive and select applications
allocate grants
issue contracts and make payments
monitor projects and assess project reports

34. Links with other actions
Schools can also :
host Comenius Language Assistants
participate in Comenius 3 networks

35. Hosting Comenius Language Assistants
Interested schools :
apply on 1 February or 1 March for next school year
join Comenius Plan with application
send application to National Agency
may receive an assistant for 3-8 months
do not receive any financial support

36. Participation in Comenius 3
Interested schools can :
obtain information on networks from their National Agency
apply for a preparatory visit grant to take part in a network contact seminar
apply for mobility funds within their project to participate in network activities and events