Deadline: 10-Jul-2026
The Bridges of Trust Charitable Foundation is inviting Ukrainian non-profit organizations to participate in an open selection process for potential partnership in the Erasmus+ COVE-CARE EU (Centres of Vocational Excellence for Sustainable Care Professions in Europe) consortium. The project aims to strengthen vocational education, workforce development, and skills ecosystems for the care, social, medical, and medical-social services sectors.
The selected Ukrainian organization will be recommended to the Italian project coordinator and international consortium for inclusion in the Erasmus+ proposal. The preliminary total project budget is up to €4 million, with the final partnership roles and budgets determined by the consortium in accordance with Erasmus+ requirements.
Overview
The Bridges of Trust Charitable Foundation is conducting an open selection to identify a Ukrainian organization that can contribute to the Erasmus+ COVE-CARE EU project.
The initiative focuses on improving vocational education and training systems for care professions by promoting skills development, professional recognition, international cooperation, and labour market alignment.
Programme Objectives
Core Objectives
- Strengthen vocational education for care professions.
- Improve workforce skills in the care and social services sector.
- Support recognition of prior practical experience.
- Develop sustainable skills ecosystems.
- Promote international collaboration through Erasmus+.
- Improve employment opportunities in care-related professions.
Focus Areas
The programme supports initiatives related to:
Vocational Education and Training
- Professional education
- Vocational training
- Workforce development
- Skills enhancement
- Lifelong learning
Care and Social Services
- Care services
- Social services
- Medical-social services
- Community care
- Rehabilitation services
- Patronage and support services
Skills Development
- Professional competencies
- Skills recognition
- Certification
- Staff development
- Professional standards
Labour Market Development
- Workforce planning
- Employment pathways
- Labour market needs assessment
- Professional profiles
- Skills forecasting
International Cooperation
- Erasmus+ collaboration
- Cross-border partnerships
- Knowledge exchange
- Capacity building
- European vocational excellence
Funding Information
Total Project Budget
- Up to €4 million (preliminary consortium budget)
Note: The final budget allocation for participating organizations will be determined by the Italian coordinator and consortium partners in accordance with Erasmus+ rules.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include Ukrainian non-profit organizations working in:
- Care services
- Social services
- Medical services
- Medical-social services
- Vocational education
- Workforce development
- Employment support
Eligible Organisations
Applications are accepted from:
- Employers’ associations
- Professional associations of healthcare, social care, or caregiving professionals
- Labour market organizations
- Cooperative networks
- Associations of service providers
- Public non-profit organizations
- Charitable organizations
- Networks of care or rehabilitation institutions
- Organizations providing vocational education or retraining
- Professional development organizations
- Employment organizations
- Social enterprises connected to the care sector
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a legally registered organization in Ukraine.
- Hold confirmed non-profit status.
- Demonstrate experience in care, social, medical, or medical-social services.
- Have established links with the labour market.
- Provide expertise on workforce needs and professional competencies.
- Be willing to participate in international Erasmus+ cooperation.
- Designate a contact person able to communicate in English or arrange English-language communication.
- Be prepared to produce an organizational profile in English.
- Maintain a transparent reputation without legal or reputational concerns.
Preferred Applicants
Preference will be given to organizations that:
- Represent employer or professional networks.
- Operate as charitable, community, cooperative, or professional associations.
- Have experience managing international projects.
- Have previous grant management experience.
- Demonstrate donor reporting capacity.
- Produce analytical or research materials.
- Collaborate with government agencies.
- Work with educational institutions.
- Partner with healthcare providers or employment services.
- Deliver training or professional certification.
- Support workforce supervision and continuing professional development.
- Maintain a public website, annual reports, project portfolio, or similar evidence of organisational capacity.
- Present a clear vision for developing Ukraine’s care economy, vocational education, and recognition of practical experience.
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen vocational excellence in care professions.
- Improve workforce readiness.
- Enhance professional qualifications.
- Build sustainable skills ecosystems.
- Increase international cooperation.
- Support innovation in vocational education.
- Improve labour market responsiveness.
- Strengthen the quality of care services.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Workforce Development
- Improves professional skills.
- Addresses labour shortages.
- Supports career development.
Vocational Education
- Modernises training systems.
- Strengthens professional education.
- Promotes lifelong learning.
International Collaboration
- Connects Ukrainian organisations with European partners.
- Encourages knowledge exchange.
- Builds long-term international partnerships.
Care Sector Development
- Strengthens social and healthcare services.
- Supports workforce planning.
- Improves service quality.
How to Apply
Step 1
Confirm that your organisation meets all eligibility requirements.
Step 2
Prepare documentation demonstrating your organisation’s legal registration and non-profit status.
Step 3
Compile evidence of experience in care, social services, workforce development, or vocational education.
Step 4
Prepare a short organisational profile in English.
Step 5
Nominate an English-speaking contact person for international communication.
Step 6
Highlight your experience with international projects, grants, partnerships, or professional training.
Step 7
Submit the application according to the Bridges of Trust Foundation’s selection requirements.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Demonstrate strong links with employers and the labour market.
- Highlight experience in vocational education and workforce development.
- Showcase successful international partnerships.
- Include evidence of organisational capacity and governance.
- Present a clear vision for improving Ukraine’s care sector.
- Emphasise expertise in professional training and certification.
- Provide examples of measurable project outcomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete organisational documentation.
- Failing to demonstrate labour market relevance.
- Providing insufficient evidence of experience.
- Not preparing English-language materials.
- Omitting examples of previous partnerships or grant management.
- Failing to explain the organisation’s contribution to the consortium.
- Ignoring Erasmus+ collaboration requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the COVE-CARE EU project?
COVE-CARE EU is an Erasmus+ initiative that promotes vocational excellence and workforce development for care, social, medical, and medical-social professions across Europe.
Who is organising the Ukrainian selection?
The selection is conducted by the Bridges of Trust Charitable Foundation, which will recommend a Ukrainian partner to the Italian coordinator and the international consortium.
What is the total project budget?
The preliminary total consortium budget is up to €4 million.
Who can apply?
Registered Ukrainian non-profit organisations working in care, social services, medical-social services, vocational education, workforce development, or related sectors.
Is English language proficiency required?
Yes. Applicants must have a contact person who can communicate in English or ensure effective communication with international partners.
Will the selected organisation automatically receive funding?
No. The final decision regarding consortium membership, project role, and budget will be made by the Italian coordinator and consortium partners in accordance with Erasmus+ rules.
What experience is preferred?
Preference is given to organisations with experience in international cooperation, grant management, vocational education, professional training, employer engagement, and workforce development.
Conclusion
The Bridges of Trust Foundation’s open selection offers Ukrainian non-profit organisations an opportunity to join the Erasmus+ COVE-CARE EU consortium and contribute to strengthening vocational education and workforce development in the care sector. By fostering international cooperation, skills recognition, labour market alignment, and professional excellence, the initiative supports the long-term development of sustainable care professions in Ukraine and across Europe.
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