Tips for choosing the right Erasmus+ partner

Tips for choosing the right Erasmus+ partner

Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Erasmus+ gives the possibility for the organisations of different countries to collaborate and accomplish a common goals together by making a positive change in the society. In order to have a successful project since the very beginning it is very important to choose your project partners carefully. So, what are the key things to consider before choosing the partner and how to make it right? 

1. First of all, think strategically. You should analyze the peculiarities of the country of origin of your potential partner and choose the one which is the most successful/active in the topic of your project. For example, your organisation is developing a project idea about the unemployment as it is a huge issue in your country, so it would be wise to choose the partner from the country which is facing same challenge. Also, think about the balance and try to include the positive example among the partners as well.

2. What do I need from a cooperating partner? You should look for a partner who brings something different to the table than you do. If you’re creative, maybe you need a more detail-oriented partner. If they’re similar to you, it might be more comfortable, but it may not be what you need. You need someone who complements project with their skills and knowledge.

3. Use your networks. Perhaps the best next step is to take a closer look at your own networks. Have other organisations in your sector been involved in international projects? Could they put you in touch with their partners? Even if the partner can’t join the exact project you are planning, they may be able to recommend another organisation active in the same sector or country. If you or your organisation use social media, describe the kind of partner you are looking for and ask your followers for recommendations. Many project partners have first connected through sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.

4. Take time to build the relationship. Once you’ve made a connection with an organisation, take the time to build understanding and develop a relationship with them. A good partnership is one of the foundations of a good project, so it’s worth making sure you’ve found the right one. Find out what projects they have been involved in before, and what they learned from them. What are their aims and objectives?

5. Clearly discuss role and responsibilities. The common mistake in the Erasmus+ projects is the miscommunication. Make sure you each have defined roles and responsibilities, which will help you understand the expected deliverables. Consider the following:
a) Set down each partner’s core responsibilities for achieving those objectives.
b) Establish benchmarks for measuring success for each partner.
c) Make sure you and your partners agree to this.

There is various tools and platforms where you can search for the organisations, such as:
SALTO-YOUTH
Erasmus+ Project Results Platform
EU Partner search

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