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Leonardo da Vinci (LdV) programme is a seamless continuation of European Community action that has been undertaken for twenty years in the vocational training field. LdV programmes seek to support and supplement action taken by the Member States, while fully respecting their responsibility for the content and organization of vocational training, and their cultural and linguistic diversity.
Objectives
The program has three general objectives:
- to improve the skills and competencies of people, especially young people, in initial vocational training at all levels; this may be achieved inter alias through work-linked vocational training and apprenticeship with a view to promoting employability and facilitating vocational integration and reintegration
- to improve the quality of, and access to, continuing vocational training and the lifelong acquisition of skills and competencies with a view to increasing and developing adaptability, particularly in order to consolidate technological and organizational change
- to promote and reinforce the contribution of vocational training to the process of innovation, with a view to improving competitiveness and entrepreneurship, also in view of new employment possibilities; special attention will be paid in this respect to fostering co-operation between vocational training institutions, including universities and undertakings, particularly SMEs.
Under the first two objectives, innovative counseling and guidance approaches are of particular importance.
In implementing the three objectives, special attention will be given to proposals addressing
- the development of practices to facilitate access to training for people most at a disadvantage in the labor market, including disabled people
- equal opportunities for women and men, with a view to combating discrimination in training provision.
Who can participate ?
Participating Countries
The Leonardo da Vinci program is open to a wide range of European countries. The following countries can participate:
- all Member States of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom);
- the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries which are members of the EEA: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the terms of the EEA agreement
- the candidate countries to the European Union: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.
Potential promoters
Proposals may be submitted by private, public or semi-public organizations and institutions involved in vocational training (i.e. private individuals may not submit proposals). Potential promoters will therefore include:
- establishments or training organizations, including universities, which, in accordance with national laws and/or practices, design or undertake vocational training, further vocational training, refresher vocational training or retraining, irrespective of what they may be called in the participating countries;
- research centers and organizations responsible for vocational training surveys and analyses;
- undertakings, particularly SMEs, and the craft trade sector, or private or public firms, including businesses active in the vocational training field;
- professional organizations, including chambers of commerce etc;
- the social partners;
- local and regional bodies and organizations;
- non-profit associations, voluntary organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
For detailed information:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/leonardo/leonardo_en.html |