Deadline: 26-Mar-2026
The Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange 2026 program provides grants of up to €500,000 for online, moderated intercultural dialogue projects. Designed to connect youth in EU Member States with eligible third countries, the program focuses on building soft skills, media literacy, and European values. Projects are funded at a rate of €200 per participant and must include small-group, facilitated interactions.
The European Commission is prioritizing Virtual Exchanges (VE) as a sustainable and inclusive method to bridge geographical divides. This initiative supports digital people-to-people interactions that foster intercultural dialogue and soft skills development without the requirement of physical travel.
Why It Matters: Expanding Global Access to Education
Virtual exchanges serve as a critical tool for internationalization in the modern era.
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Inclusion: Provides international experiences to young people who cannot access physical mobility due to financial, social, or geographic barriers.
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Environmental Sustainability: Promotes “green” internationalization by reducing the carbon footprint associated with student travel.
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Information Security: Develops media literacy and critical thinking to help youth identify and counter disinformation.
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Diplomatic Strength: Bolsters the “youth dimension” of the European Union’s external relations with non-associated third countries.
Key Concepts and Definitions
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Moderated Facilitation: Unlike passive webinars, these exchanges happen in small groups led by trained facilitators to ensure deep, respectful, and pedagogically sound communication.
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Third Countries Not Associated to the Programme: These are global partner countries that do not pay a fee to participate fully in Erasmus+ but are eligible for specific international actions like Virtual Exchange.
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Soft Skills: Essential non-technical skills gained through this program, including cross-cultural communication, emotional intelligence, and remote teamwork.
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Media Literacy: The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms, a core focus of the program’s educational content.
Who is Eligible?
Participation requires a consortium of legal entities established in eligible countries.
Eligible Organizations:
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Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Universities and colleges.
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Youth Organizations: NGOs and non-profit entities active in non-formal education.
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Educational Bodies: Recognized associations of teachers, students, or academic staff.
Geographic Requirements:
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Projects must involve a partnership between organizations in EU Member States/Associated Countries and Eligible Third Countries.
Funding and Project Financials
The program uses a simplified funding model based on participant reach.
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Total Program Budget: €1,000,000.
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Maximum Grant per Project: €500,000.
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Cost Unit: Funding is capped at €200 per participant (inclusive of both youth participants and trained facilitators).
How to Apply: Core Project Requirements
Projects must integrate specific activity types to be considered for funding:
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Online Facilitated Discussions: Small-group sessions where youth share perspectives on thematic areas like climate change or democratic participation.
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Professional Training: Capacity-building for youth workers or university staff to develop the skills needed to manage virtual exchange platforms.
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Interactive Online Courses (MOOCs): Digital courses that emphasize peer-to-peer interaction via small-group forums rather than just video consumption.
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Strategic Themes: Align the project with one or more EU priorities: Inclusion/Diversity, Digital Transformation, Environment/Climate Action, or Civic Engagement.
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Mistake: Passive Content. Submitting a project that relies on pre-recorded lectures without live, moderated discussion will lead to a low evaluation score.
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Mistake: Unbalanced Partnerships. Failing to show meaningful collaboration between the EU lead and the third-country partner.
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Tip: Prioritize Facilitator Training. High-quality facilitation is the backbone of the program. Detail how you will train and support your moderators.
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Tip: Focus on Recruitment. Clearly define how you will reach marginalized or underrepresented youth to satisfy the “Inclusion and Diversity” priority.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does this grant require physical travel?
No. This is a purely virtual program designed to enable international education without physical mobility.
2. Can a project only involve university students?
No. Projects can involve higher education students, youth in non-formal education, or a mix of both.
3. What is the maximum duration of a project?
While typical Erasmus+ projects range from 12 to 36 months, applicants should check the specific 2026 call documentation for the mandatory duration.
4. How is the “€200 per participant” calculated?
This is a flat rate. If your project reaches 500 participants, your eligible funding would be $500 \times 200 = €100,000$.
5. Is there a specific age limit for participants?
Generally, Erasmus+ youth actions target individuals between 13 and 30 years old, while higher education actions target enrolled students.
6. Can a private company apply?
Legal entities must be active in youth or higher education. Purely commercial entities can often participate as partners if they provide specific technical or educational expertise.
7. Does the project have to be in English?
While English is commonly used for international consortia, the exchanges can be conducted in any language agreed upon by the partners to promote linguistic diversity.
Conclusion
The Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange program is a strategic investment in the digital future of international education. By prioritizing moderated dialogue and cross-border cooperation, the European Commission is ensuring that the benefits of global exchange are accessible to all young people, regardless of their ability to travel. Successful applicants will be those who combine technical digital proficiency with a strong commitment to European values and inclusive pedagogy.
For more information, visit European Commission.
