Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 Call for Proposals 2009 - Learning partnerships

1. Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013Call for Proposals 2009 - Learning partnerships FROM THE FIRST IDEA… TO THE REAL WORKING PLAN Agence Education Formation - Europe

2. « A brilliant idea for a transnational project? What are the next steps?» • Define your objectives precisely. • Make sure you will be supported by your institution. • Find the appropriate partners. • Agree on a common working plan.

3. Define your objectives precisely A. Ask yourself the following questions: «  Why would I like to carry out this project?» «  What am I aiming at within a European framework?» «  What changes would I like to bring about? » «  Does my idea reflect a real need?»

4. B. Write down your ideas… ....to be able to explain them: - within your institution - to your potential partners *Clarify your goals, the planned actions and expected results.

5. C. A large variety of possible themes!!! • According to your professional interests & implication of learners. • The project has to bring about additional value: * different cultures, education systems, methodologies… • Themes should be in line with your usual activities. • Preferential themes: • programme objectives. • (European priorities): not in 2009. • (national priorities): to be checked with your national agencies.

6. 2. Integrate the project into your institution = Institution as a whole. • Support from your colleagues and direction is essential. • Create a local working group & organise internal meetings to clarify your expectations. • Firstly, estimate your capacities and available resources. • Involve the learners & and the local community.

7. 3. Find appropriate partners

8. A. Prepare your search • Define your expectations clearly. • Define the Call for cooperation -explain your ideas, - describe your institution (type, size, philosophy, activities, target group), - write your plan in English.

9. B. Tools to help you finding partners • Activate your own networks • Take part in a contact seminar • Organise a preparatory visit • Internet database: PARTBASE • Get some inspiration from former projects : compendium • Contact organisations and networks in the relevant sector • Contact the local authorities of the cities you are interested in • Take advantage from town twinnings • Comenius and Grundtvig trainings

10. C. Create a solid partnership Take the necessary time for finding the appropriate partners!!! Two-year partnership! Impact on the quality of actions and results. Call for candidatures: yearly! Document ”How to identify appropriate partners: criteria check list”

11. Countries: • 31 participating countries:27 members of EU + Norway-Lichtenstein -Iceland +Turkey. • According to preferential theme. • Give priority to a real European approach: geographical diversity. • Size: • 3 countries minimum, including at least 1 member of EU. • However, foresee a larger number of participants (without becoming unmanageable though) because of: • selection of high-quality applications until budget. • withdrawal of one partner (staff fluctuation, change of the institution’s priorities, illness, etc.) • Motivation • Understand the expectations of every partner • & agree on a minimal common basis.

12. Type • Variety of institutions and approaches • = Opportunity to enrich exchanges. • Language • - Agree on a common working language. • * basics/interpretation • Responsibility • Identify a contact person per institution. • Time and energy consuming. • Previous moral commitment.

13. 4. Agree on the working plan «  We would like to participate in your project. The idea looks interesting but what exactly do you have in mind?» What are the expectations of each partner?

14. A. Reach a mutual understanding • Differences! • Cultures, languages, educational systems, approaches, reference frameworks, concepts*, priorities. • → Create a commonconcept framework. → Cross-check your expectations and particularities.  Be flexible. «  Are we talking about the same thing? »

15. B. Definition of tasks and duties • A partnership is a cooperation project = equal task distribution. • Discuss about available resources (staff, time, expertise, IT, equipment, budget) and restrictions. • Every partner is responsible for the activities taking place in his institution.

16. * The Coordinator → Decisions to be taken by the partners: choice of the coordinator and definition of his role * «Letter box» - contact person: fills in reports and gathers information. * «  Real coordinator » : follows different actions and coordinates them. * «General manager »: key person (organises meetings, chooses working method, writes the reviews/reports, sends reminders). • Necessary qualities : • Experience in European programmes. • Available (time consuming). • Language abilities. • Team spirit and leadership. • communication and organisational skills. • Usually the institution that initiates the process. • Determine who would take over the coordination in case of withdrawal – or non selection.

17. C. Activity planning Sums up all ideas connected with objectives, working methods and expected results.  Clarify the project stage by stage. • !!!! Basis of the selection & annexes to the contract.

18. What should you include into the activity planning?

19. Define your general goalclearly: • « We would like to share our experience and learn how to motivate adult learners thanks to ICT» • (instead of: ”We would like to motivate adults to learn”) • Divide your goal into concrete/specific objectives: • « We will collect best practices in order to implement ICT methods within our institution » • Define separate actionsper objective: • «  Identify and present one best practice in your institution »; • «  Comment on the presentations and compare them» ; • «  Identify characteristics of these best practices and put them on the project webpage » ; • «  Test your partners' best practices within your own institution ».

20. Divide the final results into stages in a calendar: • «  We will have the draft version of the webpage content in the second semester. Its preliminary version will be ready at the end of the first year ». • Take advantage of transnational meetings as stages of project. • Define the expected results: • Try to quantify results and make them measurable. • Do not write : «  The result of the project will be an increasing attention paid towards adult learners » • but rather : « The project will come up with five recommendations of ICT use within the adults’ training programme» • or« Every partner will implement at least one new ICT teaching method in his courses ».

21. Use the application form to help you in the elaboration of your working plan.

22. Sources • « Grundtvig Learning Partnerships Navigator » www.grundtvig.nl • « Guidelines for applicants Grundtvig Sweden » www.programkontoret.se • « QAS project - Project Support for Quality and Sustainability » www.programkontoret.se

23. Good luck!