{Last Update: 24.12.2025}

The Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) aim to act as a driving force for reforms in the vocational education (VET) sector, to ensure high-quality skills and competences that lead to quality employment and career advancement opportunities, to meet the needs of an innovative, inclusive and sustainable economy, and to contribute to addressing challenges in key economic sectors.

CoVEs create a local skills ecosystem focused on innovation, regional development, social inclusion and international cooperation. The initiative works in a bottom-up manner, involving local stakeholders in order to adapt training to the growing demands of the economy. 

The initiative offers training to young people and allows adults to improve their skills, especially in the context of changing market demands, green and digital transformation. The Centers of Excellence also stimulate the development of local businesses through partnerships with local businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, on topics such as research projects and entrepreneurial initiatives. 

The Centres of Excellence encourage the involvement of representatives of countries with different vocational education and training systems in vocational education and training centres. The concept is based on a holistic, student-centred approach and encourages vocational education and training in regional development processes, innovation and the creation of industrial strategies. The initiative encourages cooperation with other educational sectors and the business community, within the framework of which quality training and continuous professional development should be ensured. 

The program aims to create relevant professional excellence networks at both national and transnational levels. 

• At the national level: Professional Excellence Centers work with local stakeholders to create a skills ecosystem that fosters innovation, regional development and social inclusion, while collaborating with other Professional Excellence Centers in other countries. 
• At the transnational level: Prof. Centers of Excellence, in specific fields, unite around common interests and innovative strategies to address economic and social challenges, such as climate change, digitalization, and the integration of vulnerable groups. 

Prof. Centers of Excellence may be established by existing institutions to improve their practices and/or by newly established institutions that focus on creating high-quality training to meet the demands of the labor market. They collaborate with various local and regional partners, including educational institutions, companies, and government agencies.

Projects are organized into three clusters: 1) Learning and Teaching 2) Cooperation and Partnership 3) Governance and Funding.

Criteria for participation in the program	details
Who can apply?   Authorized participating organizations	Applicants must be: Legally registered public and/or private organization; Must be based in the European Union or in a third country associated with the Programme; Must be active in the field of professional teaching and training; Organisations from third countries not associated to the programme may participate, but not as coordinators; Exception: Organizations from Belarus are not eligible to participate.
Examples of participating organizations	Vocational education providers Representative organizations of vocational education providers Companies, industry, other employers or sector representative organizations National/regional qualifications bodies Research institutes Innovative agencies Regional development authorities International organizations operating in the field of vocational education.
Composition of the consortium	– At least 8 applicants, from at least 4 EU Member States or countries associated with the programme; Each EU Member State or third country associated with the programme must include: a) at least 1 enterprise, industry, other employer or sector representative organization, b) At least 1 vocational education and training provider (at secondary and/or higher education level). Organisations from relevant third countries not associated with the Programme in Regions 1 to 3 may also participate as beneficiaries or affiliates, provided that it is proven that their participation will bring significant added value to the project. Organisations from other third countries not associated with the programme may participate as associated partners. Exception: Organizations from Belarus (Region 2) are not eligible to participate in this action.
Permitted Activities	All three clusters should be covered: Min. 4 activities from the first cluster – learning and teaching Min. 3 activities from the second cluster – cooperation and partnership  Min. 2 activities from the third cluster – governance and financing
Geographical location	– Activities must be carried out in pre-defined countries (see Programme Guide – Part A)
Duration of the project	– The duration of the projects is 48 months, with the possibility of extension if justified;
Where to apply?	– European Education and Culture Executive Agency – (EACEA) via the Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal (FTOP). - Call ID: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-PEX-COVE
When is the application due?	– September 3, 17:00 (Brussels time).

 

budget

Funding for the Prof. Centres of Excellence will be provided on a “lam-sam” basis. The maximum grant amount per project is €4 million. Financial support to third parties is not permitted, although it is provided for volunteers and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises. Project applications should consider planning at least one annual meeting between the Prof. Centres of Excellence for the exchange of best practices.