About
Participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Erasmus+ program,
within the new cycle for the period 2021-2027
Erasmus+ is the European Union's program for education, training, youth and sports, and covers the period from 2021 to 2027. Education, training, youth and sports are the most important areas for the personal and professional development of citizens. High-quality, inclusive education and training, as well as informal education and informal learning for young people, as well as participants of all ages, provide the qualifications and skills necessary for constructive participation in a democratic society, intercultural understanding and successful transition to the labor market.
European citizens need more knowledge, skills and competences to live in a dynamic society that is increasingly turning to mobility, multiculturalism and digitization. Staying in another country for the purpose of studying, learning and working should become a standard, and everyone should get the opportunity to learn two foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue. This program is an essential element for achieving the goals of the European education area, the Action Plan for Digital Education for the period 2021-2027, the European Union's youth strategy and the European Union's work plan in the field of sports in the period 2021-2024.
Objective of the Program:
The general goal of the Program is to support the educational, professional and personal development of people in the field of education, training, youth and sports in Europe and beyond through lifelong learning, which contributes to sustainable growth, quality of jobs, social cohesion, encouraging innovation, and strengthening European identity and active citizenship. As such, the program will be an important instrument for the construction of the European area of education and will encourage the implementation of European strategic cooperation in the field of education and training, in addition to basic sectoral programs. In addition, it is also important for the improvement of cooperation in the field of youth policy in accordance with the European Union's youth strategy for the period 2019-2027 and the development of the European dimension in the field of sports.
The program also has the following specific goals:
- to promote learning mobility for individuals and groups, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusiveness and fairness, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organizations and policies in the field of education and training;
- promote mobility for the purpose of informal education and informal learning, active participation of young people, and cooperation, quality, inclusiveness, creativity and innovation at the level of organizations and policies in the field of youth;
- to promote learning mobility for sports personnel, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusiveness, creativity and innovation at the level of sports organizations and policies in the field of sports.
Participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Program
Bosnia and Herzegovina's participation in European Union programs is regulated by the Framework Agreement between the European Community and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the general principles of Bosnia and Herzegovina's participation in Community programs, which was signed at the EU/Balkan Forum meeting on November 22, 2004. The agreement was ratified by the Parliament of the European Union in May 2005, and by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006, and entered into force on January 8, 2007.
The Framework Agreement states the general conditions for the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Community Programs, among others, for programs in the field of education: Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action, for the period 2007-2013.
During 2013, the European Union prepared a continuation, i.e. a new cycle of the EU program for the period 2014-2020, within which the Regulation of the European Union - European Parliament and Council of December 11, 2013 established Erasmus+, the Union's program for education, training, youth and sports.
At its 100th session, held on June 10, 2014, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina considered and adopted the Information on the Agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Union's Erasmus+ program for education, training, youth and sports, on the basis of which the Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina's Accession to the aforementioned Program was officially and signed on June 19, 2014 in Brussels.
In order to ensure the continuity of participation in European Union programs, Bosnia and Herzegovina is due to the expiration of the Agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Union's Erasmus+ program for education, training, youth and sports for the period 2014-2020. year, enabled participation in the new cycle of the Erasmus+ program for the period 2021 - 2027.
Apart from the fact that for the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the new cycle of the Erasmus+ program it was not necessary to sign a new agreement, the novelty is that the new name for "partner countries", which was the status of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous period, has been changed to read "non-affiliated third countries". Third countries that are not affiliated to the program are grouped according to the instruments for external action of the European Union, such as the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III), according to which Bosnia and Herzegovina is classified in the Western Balkans region - Region 1, together with Albania, Kosovo[1] and Montenegro. According to the Guide to the Erasmus+ program for the new cycle until 2027 (which was published on November 24, 2021), entities from other third countries that are not affiliated to the program may be eligible for activities under the Erasmus+ program in justified cases and in the interest of the Union.
Possibilities of participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Program:
By continuing to participate in the Erasmus+ program, Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to use the funds intended for the Western Balkans to participate in activities within the international dimension of the Erasmus+ program.
Erasmus+ includes a pronounced international dimension (i.e. cooperation with third countries not affiliated to the programme) in mobility, cooperation and policy dialogue activities. It helps European organizations to cope with globalization, climate change and digital transition, especially by increasing international mobility and cooperation with third countries, and strengthens the role of the European Union as a global actor. By implementing the Program, social ties are strengthened through mobility, exchanges and capacity building, encouraging social resilience, human development, employability, active participation and ensuring regular channels for cooperation between citizens, promoting values, principles and interests around common priorities. The activities of the program offer solutions to issues of quality, modernization and employability, by increasing the relevance and adaptability of education to green and sustainable socioeconomic recovery, growth and well-being in third countries that are not affiliated to the program, and at the same time contribute to human and institutional development, digital transition, growth and increase in the number of jobs, good governance, and peace and security. The engagement of young people in third countries that are not affiliated to the program is an essential element in the process of building more resilient societies based on mutual trust and intercultural understanding.
The following is an overview of open actions for international cooperation in the field of the International Dimension of the Erasmus+ program for the period 2021 – 2027[2]:
- International Credit Mobility (ICM) – Mobility projects of students and staff between member states of the European Union or associated third countries and non-associated third countries. A period of study or internship abroad must be part of the student's study program in order to obtain a diploma. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as a partner.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Studies (EMJM) - High-quality international integrated master's programs with scholarships funded by the European Union to attract exceptional students. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Projects for the preparation of Erasmus Mundus joint graduate master's studies (EMDM) - Projects for the design and establishment of joint master's programs. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Capacity building projects in the field of higher education (CBHE) – Support for the modernization and reform of higher education institutions and systems in countries around the world. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Jean Monnet Actions (JMA) – Excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Mobility for young people, youth workers – Projects that bring together young people from different countries for exchange and learning outside their formal education system. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Capacity building projects in the field of sports (CBS) – Projects support sports activities and policies as a means to promote values, as well as an educational tool for the personal and social development of individuals and building more cohesive communities. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Capacity building projects in the field of youth (CBY) – Support for informal learning and mobility, and activities to increase the capacity of youth organizations in the partner countries covered by the action. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as an applicant/partner.
- Capacity building projects in vocational education (CBVET) – Projects support the relevance, availability and responsiveness of vocational education and training institutions and systems. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as a partner.
- Virtual exchanges in higher education and young people – Virtual exchange projects consist of activities connecting people via the Internet, which promote intercultural dialogue and the development of soft skills. They enable all young people to access high-quality international and intercultural (formal and informal) education without physical mobility. Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate as a partner.
"European Universities" initiative
The "European Universities" initiative is open to the countries of the Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, through a call within the Erasmus+ program for the year 2023.
These are transnational alliances of higher education institutions that develop long-term structural and strategic cooperation, focused on sustainability, excellence and European values, offering opportunities to support different models of cooperation for European universities through the Erasmus+ call for proposals.
The aforementioned Initiative aims to realize the ambitious vision of an innovative, globally competitive and attractive European area of education and European research area, in full synergy with the European area of higher education, by strengthening the dimension of excellence in higher education, research and innovation and at the same time promoting gender equality, inclusiveness and equality, enabling smooth and broad transnational cooperation of higher education institutions in Europe and encouraging the transformation of higher education.
European universities are one of the main initiatives of the European Strategy for Universities, whose ambition is to connect more than 500 higher education institutions in 60 European universities by mid-2024.
Alliances include partners from all types of higher education institutions and cover a wide geographical scope across Europe. The key criteria for participation are a minimum of 3 higher education institutions, from 3 member states of the European Union or a third country associated with the Erasmus+ program. Cooperation partners should come from different parts of Europe.
The basic principles of cooperation are:
- Alliances need a common long-term strategy for education with, where possible, links to research and innovation to foster a systemic, structural and sustainable impact at all levels of their institutions.
The alliances will create European inter-university "campuses", where:
- students, staff and researchers enjoy mobility (physical, virtual or mixed) to study, train, teach, research, work or share services to partner institutions for cooperation;
- transdisciplinary and transnational teams of students, academics and external stakeholders will come together to propose solutions to major challenges facing Europe (such as: climate protection, digitalisation, health, democracy, migration, security, ...);
- students can design their own flexible curricula and programmes leading to a degree recognised at EU level;
- practical and/or work experience is provided to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and develop civic engagement;
- student associations reflect the social, economic and cultural diversity of the population.
After the call for proposals under the Erasmus+ program for 2022, 44 European universities are participating so far, which connect 340 higher education institutions in the capitals and remote regions of 31 countries, including Iceland, Norway, Serbia and Turkey in addition to all the member states of the European Union.
Structures to support the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Erasmus+ program:
The Erasmus+ Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina (NEO) provides assistance to state authorities, educational institutions and organizations, and all other relevant participants in the implementation of Erasmus+ activities in the fields of higher education, vocational education and training (VET), youth and sports.
The Erasmus+ Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is responsible for:
- Providing information on Erasmus+ activities that are open for the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (including the field of higher education, vocational education and training (VET), youth and sports);
- Counseling and assistance to potential candidates;
- Coordination of the local team of experts for higher education reform (HERE);
- Contribution to studies and events;
- Providing support for political dialogue;
- Maintaining contacts with local authorities and the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Monitoring the development of action policies in the above-mentioned areas.
Website for more information: https://erasmusbih.com.
Erasmus+ Youth
PRONI Center for Youth Development and BRAVO – Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities - Contact points for mobility programs
The role of the Proni Center for Youth Development as a contact point in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to promote programs and forward information to all interested parties. It is important to point out that he is not able to influence the choice of approved projects. The main target group of the Erasmus+ program is young people between the ages of 13 and 30, who are legally settled in one of the program or partner countries. The program is open to all young people regardless of their level of education, social or cultural background.
Website for more information: https://www.proni.ba
As one of the two contact points for Erasmus+ Youth, BRAVO plays a key role in providing opportunities and support to young people, with the aim of providing Bosnia and Herzegovina's youth with all information, guidance and resources regarding the Erasmus+ program and the European Solidarity Corps program.
Website for more information: www.bravo-bih.com.
[1] This designation does not prejudge positions on status, and is in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244/99 and the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo
[2] Source Erasmus+ office for Bosnia and Herzegovina