Policy framework

Greece promotes, plans and implements initiatives, strategies and actions related to the European and international dimension in education and training. Promoting the European dimension in education and training is one of the goals of Greek educational policy. For this reason, measures are adopted and actions are implemented that target the objectives of the Strategic Framework of European Cooperation in Education and Training towards 2030 (European Education Area – EEA 2030). 

International mobility concerns all areas of education, in the framework of formal, non-formal and informal learning as well as Youth. Cross-border learning mobility in Greece takes place mainly through the Erasmus+ Program and for this reason, the mobilities in this framework follow the Erasmus+ Guide. 

The State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) with the no. 28159/Η1/16-03-2021 Ministerial Decision has been designated National Coordination Unit for the implementation of the European Erasmus+ Program for the fields of Education and Training for the new programming period 2021-2027. 

Erasmus+ Program is built on three key actions: 

• Mobility of individuals

• Cooperation between organizations and institutions: Partnerships for cooperation

• Support for policy reforms

The Ministerial Decision defines the regulatory framework for the implementation of the Erasmus+ Program according to the European Framework of 2021-2027. 

Erasmus+ is built on three key actions: 

• Mobility of individuals

• Cooperation between organizations and institutions: Partnerships for cooperation

• Support for policy reforms

The Ministerial Decision defines the regulatory framework for the implementation of the Erasmus+ Program. 

Between 2014 and 2020, Erasmus+ gave 3.7% of young people in the EU the opportunity to study, train, volunteer or gain professional experience abroad. The budget for Erasmus+ was € 3.37 billion in 2020.

Main cross-border mobility programs for students in formal education

The main program for cross-border mobility is the Erasmus+ Program. Student mobility is implemented within the framework of Key Action 1 (KA1) – Mobility of individuals and includes the following forms: 

• Student mobility for studies or traineeships within and outside Europe (international mobility – International Credit Mobility)
• Blended student mobility, which combines physical and virtual participation
• Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), which are short-duration intensive study programs of blended mobility, implemented through cooperation among higher education institutions from different countries

The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports focuses on removing any administrative, institutional, and academic barriers, as well as on facilitating cross-border mobility within the framework of European and international cooperation in education, for the following groups:

• Students
• Teaching and research staff of Higher Education Institutions
• Administrative staff in the field of education

Law 4485/2017, emphasizes the need to prioritize the internationalization of higher education and provides that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), among their missions, are to promote: 

• cooperation with other educational institutions and research bodies in Greece and abroad,
• the promotion and strengthening of the mobility of students, graduates, and teaching and research staff.

These directions are part of the broader institutional framework of the European and international dimension of higher education and contribute to strengthening the outward orientation and international presence of Greek HEIs.

The Erasmus+ / International Mobility action provides students, learners, and staff of educational institutions with opportunities for transnational mobility to Programme Countries and Partner Countries, with the aim of familiarization with different educational systems and cultural environments, as well as the acquisition and enhancement of academic, professional, and intercultural skills.

For higher education students, mobility may concern studies, traineeships, or a combination of both and is carried out for a cumulative period of up to twelve (12) months per study cycle, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Erasmus+ Programme Guide. Accordingly, the mobility of teaching, research, and administrative staff of higher education institutions concerns teaching, training, or professional development activities abroad, with a duration determined by the Programme’s regulatory framework.

Within the framework of supporting participants’ linguistic preparation, Online Language Support (OLS) (Online Language Support – OLS), is provided. OLS is a tool of the European Commission for assessing and strengthening participants’ language skills before and during their mobility period.

Alongside Erasmus+, at the level of bilateral and cultural cooperation, other international mobility actions are also implemented. Indicatively, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens organizes the summer scholarship program for Greek Studies “THYESPA,” THYESPA, which is addressed to foreign students and members of teaching staff and aims to promote the Greek language and contemporary Greek culture.

In addition, institutions such as the Fulbright, Foundation, the Bodosaki Foundation, and the Onassis Foundation implement scholarship programs and international mobility actions for students, graduates, and researchers, in accordance with the specific terms and strategic planning of each body.

With regard to the Vocational Educationa and Training (VET), national strategic planning and Erasmus+ Key Action 1 promote the learning mobility of learners and staff of VET providers, strengthening the acquisition of professional skills, work experience, and links with the European labor market. Public and private education and training providers, enterprises, social partners, and policy-making bodies may participate in the action, in accordance with the applicable institutional framework.

Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning and of youth work

With regard to cross-border mobility in the context of non-formal learning and youth work, there is a unified European policy framework through the Erasmus+ Programme for the 2021–2027 programming period. Within this framework, mobility and exchange opportunities are provided for young people, learners, and individuals participating in non-formal learning activities, as well as for those active in the field of youth work.

The Erasmus+ Programme, under Key Action 1 (KA1), supports learning mobility activities for adult learners returning to education, as well as for organizations operating in the fields of Adult Education, School Education, and Vocational Education and Training (VET).

An important tool of the new programming period is Erasmus+ Accreditation, which is linked to the Mobility Action (KA1) and aims to reduce the administrative burden on organizations implementing mobility activities. Erasmus+ Accreditation exempts organizations from the obligation to submit a new application for each call, allowing them to implement mobility activities within the framework of an approved multiannual strategic plan.

Erasmus+ Accreditation is addressed to organizations in School Education, Vocational Education and Training, and Adult Education that wish to participate systematically in cross-border exchanges and cooperation, through simplified funding procedures and with a long-term perspective for participation in the Programme.

Quality assurance

The system on which quality assurance is based is defined within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme and is applied to formal, non-formal, and informal learning.

Erasmus Accreditation for the 2021–2027 programming period includes reporting and monitoring mechanisms for accredited organizations, with the aim of ensuring quality. After the end of each grant agreement approved under Erasmus Accreditation, the accredited organization submits a final report on the activities implemented and the achievement of the agreed objectives.

The National Agency of the Erasmus+ Programme  (National Erasmus+ Programme Coordination Unit) may organize official audits, monitoring visits, and other activities aimed at tracking the progress and performance of accredited organizations, ensuring compliance with agreed quality standards, and providing supportive interventions where necessary.

Official audits may take the form of desk checks or on-site visits to the accredited organization, consortium members, supporting organizations, or other premises where the relevant activities are implemented. The National Agency may also request the assistance of National Agencies from other countries to monitor and audit activities carried out abroad.

In cases involving newly accredited organizations, high-risk organizations, non-compliance with the National Agency’s guidelines or deadlines, low performance identified through reports, monitoring, or quality assurance audits, or breaches of the Programme rules, the National Agency may take the following corrective measures:

• Supervision: limitation of the amount of funding for which the accredited organization may apply for actions requiring Erasmus Accreditation. Newly accredited organizations may be placed under supervision if there is a risk of inadequate implementation or serious weaknesses in the approved Erasmus Plan.

• Suspension: organizations whose Erasmus Accreditation has been suspended may not submit funding applications for actions requiring accreditation, while the National Agency may terminate some or all of the existing grant agreements concluded under the suspended accreditation.