Funding for lifelong learning

The GRUNDTVIG fund is for both the formal and non-formal sector of adult education - including voluntary and community sector groups, FE colleges, workplace and lifelong learning organisations.

GRUNDTVIG is the lifelong learning action of the SOCRATES II EU programme. It is named after the founder of the Nordic tradition of lifelong learning.

Overview of the fund - what activities can be funded

1. European cooperation projects

1. Product oriented.
2. Bring together at least three institutions across three countries to pool experience and expertise.
3. Aim to produce new learning materials, tools and methods for assessment or awareness-raising activities.

Application deadline: pre-proposals by 1 November each year.
Fund: Average of 100,000 Euros (approx £60,000) to be distributed among all participating institutions.

1. Process oriented.
2. Small scale projects with an emphasis on hard to reach groups.
3. bring together learners and trainers from different countries to work on joint projects.
4. Involve learners directly in project activities.
5. Funding available to enable a limited number of learners to visit their partners.

Application deadline: 1 March each year.
Fund: 10-12,000 Euros for your organisation.

3. Individual training grants for adult education staff

1. People oriented.
2. Enable adult educators to update their skills through courses in another European country.
3. Funding for formal courses and study visits / placements to exchange best practice.

Application deadline: none - apply at any time.
Fund: grants of up to 1,500 Euros per applicant.

4. Thematic Networks and Project Networks

1. Policy oriented
2. Large scale projects involving at least six organisations across six countries.
3. Provide a forum for discussion on key policy issues or a basis for continuing contact between institutions that have participated in projects.

Application deadline: pre-proposals by 1 November each year.

Register for the Briefing

Attend a briefing session in either Belfast or Derry. It's free and refreshments will be served. More than one person from each organisation may attend. The emphasis will be on the Learning Partnerships funding opportunity for groups.

Time: 10.00am - 12 .00pm

1. 29 June 2005 at NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast BT15 2GB.

2. 30 June 2005 at The Women's Centre, 5 Guildhall Street, Derry BT48 6BB.

Contact
Ted Hartley from WEA
thartley@wea.org.uk
01709 837001
07813 770134 (M)
01709 372121
99 Wickersley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S60 3PU.

The British Council is the national agency responsible for this Programme. There are excellent support and advice systems in place and application forms available for various schemes.

For more information on GRUNTVIG go to www.socrates-uk.net.