Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (implementing the ‘Blueprint’)

Description

1) Objective

Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity by boosting innovation through cooperation and flow of knowledge among higher education, vocational education and training (both initial and continuous), and the broader socio-economic environment, including research.

They also aim to boost the provision of new skills and address skills mismatches by designing and creating new curricula for higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET), supporting the development of a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mind-sets in the EU. These partnerships shall implement a coherent and comprehensive set of sectoral or cross-sectoral activities, which should be adaptable to future knowledge developments across the EU.

To boost innovation, the focus will be on talent and skills development. Firstly, digital competences have become increasingly important in all job profiles across the entire labour market. Secondly, the transition to a circular and greener economy needs to be underpinned by changes to qualifications and national education and training curricula to meet emerging professional needs for green skills and sustainable development. Thirdly, the twin digital and green transition requires an accelerated adoption of new technologies, in particular in the highly innovative deep tech domains, across all sectors of our economy and society.

2) Eligibility

Provided that they are partners in large-scale skills partnerships under the Pact for Skills, the following organisations can be involved as applicants (coordinator and full partners) or associated partners under Lot 2 – Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (Blueprint). They can be public or private organisations legally established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme: Higher education institutions, VET providers, Networks of VET providers, Small and medium-sized or large enterprises (including social enterprises), Research institutes, Non-governmental organisations etc.

3) Location

Actions must take place in EU member states and Western Balkans. Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (Blueprint) must cover at least 8 EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme and involve at least 12 applicants (coordinator and full partners).

4) Budget

Maximum grant amount is €4,000,000 (4 years project) – only one proposal per industrial ecosystem can be selected for funding.

5) Application

Applicants have to submit their grant application by 3 May at 17:00:00 (Brussels time).