Applying for Erasmus+ for the first time can feel overwhelming. But with the right guidance, the process is straightforward — and the rewards for your students are immense. This guide walks VET coordinators through every step of a successful KA1 application.
Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility
Your organisation must be based in an EU member state or Erasmus+ programme country (33 countries in total, including Norway, Iceland, Turkey and North Macedonia). VET schools, training centres, and higher education institutions are all eligible.
Step 2 — Get Your Erasmus+ Accreditation (or Apply for a Short-Term Project)
There are two routes into KA1:
- Erasmus+ Accreditation — A long-term quality label that gives your organisation a simpler annual grant application process. Ideal if you plan to run mobilities every year.
- Short-Term Project Grant — A one-off application for organisations that want to run a single mobility project without full accreditation. Great for first-timers.
Step 3 — Define Your Mobility Plan
Decide on the following before applying:
- How many participants will go on mobility?
- What duration? (2 weeks minimum for VET learners)
- Which country and sector? (e.g. hospitality in Lisbon, IT in Berlin)
- What are the expected learning outcomes?
Step 4 — Find a Reliable Host Organisation
This is one of the most critical steps. Your host partner must be able to provide quality placements, proper supervision, and all the required Erasmus+ documentation. DNA Europe is an experienced host organisation in Lisbon with a proven track record of receiving students from across Europe.
We sign an Inter-Institutional Agreement with your school, which is required for the application.
Step 5 — Submit Your Application
Applications are submitted via your National Agency’s online portal. The main deadline for KA1 VET is typically in late October each year for activities starting the following year. Results are usually announced in February/March.
Step 6 — Prepare Your Participants
Once funded, participants must complete:
- Learning Agreement — signed by student, sending school, and host organisation
- OLS Language Assessment — online language support tool
- Pre-departure preparation — cultural, practical and professional briefing
Step 7 — Mobility and Final Report
After the mobility, both participants and coordinators submit an online final report to the EU Survey platform. DNA Europe provides all supporting documentation to make this process easy.
Need a Host Partner in Lisbon?
DNA Europe is ready to be your trusted partner in Lisbon. Contact us early — host organisation spots for each cohort fill up quickly. Email eu.mobility.pt@gmail.com to reserve your places.
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