Tips for Creating a Competitive Proposal for Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Program

Tips for creating a competitive proposal for the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme

The Erasmus+ program acts as a cornerstone for the promotion of international cooperation in the field of education, connecting program countries, third countries associated with the program and third countries not associated with it. Among the main goals of Erasmus+, it aims to improve the educational environment, infrastructure, leadership and Towards strengthening governance in third countries not associated with the programme. Georgia, as part of Priority Region 2, stands out in this context and is privileged to participate in a wide range of Erasmus+ initiatives. Although Georgian institutions may not always be coordinators, they are often full partners, ensuring active involvement in the program's transformative actions.

It is worth noting that one of the important components of Erasmus+ is Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), which is particularly focused on the needs and priorities of third countries not linked to the programme. These projects aim to drive significant reforms and development, strengthening Erasmus+'s wider mission to promote inclusiveness and international cooperation in education.

Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) in Georgia stands out as one of the most sought-after initiatives within the Erasmus+ program. Since 2014, Georgian beneficiaries are actively participating in about 80 CBHE projects, 57 of which involve Georgian institutions as partners and 16 as coordinators. This strong participation reflects the country's aspiration to use CBHE opportunities for educational development and international cooperation.

CBHE projects are structured in three areas, each with different objectives and funding scales. Budgets for CBHE projects range from €200,000 for Strand 1, which focuses on improving educational programs and teaching methods, to €1 million for Strand 3, which supports large-scale structural reforms and capacity-building initiatives in higher education. Such funding flexibility allows CBHE to address various educational priorities and promote sustainable development and collaboration in Georgia and beyond.

Need analysis

When developing a project, it is necessary to conduct a thorough needs analysis to demonstrate its relevance and value to evaluators. The basis of a successful project is to clearly demonstrate that it responds to real and current needs. These needs must be analyzed at multiple levels. At the institutional level, the project must respond to the specific challenges or tasks faced by the institutions involved, ensuring the direct benefits of the proposed activities. At the country level, it is crucial to align the project with national priorities and strategies, demonstrating how it contributes to broader systemic challenges. Finally, at the EU level, the project must be in line with European priorities and strategic documents, reflecting its compatibility with the general objectives of the EU and the specific objectives of the programme. A well-documented, evidence-based needs analysis, supported by data and stakeholder engagement, is critical to project design and ensure its relevance.

Consortium

It is equally important to form a strong partnership (consortium). Partners should be selected judiciously based on their profiles, expertise and ability to contribute to the success of the project. Ideally, project partners and their representatives should have the opportunity to meet in advance to discuss ideas, set common goals, and define roles and responsibilities. Consortium changes should only include partners who can add real value, ensuring inclusion and diversity are prioritized. For example, projects, especially Strand 1 Part projects should try to involve less experienced or underprivileged institutions as well as those located in remote areas for equitable distribution of benefits. Inclusion of participants with fewer opportunities due to social or economic barriers is also consistent with the principles of inclusiveness. To ensure effective collaboration, tools such as online meetings can be used to organize discussions and assign leaders responsible for specific achievements.

The purpose of the project

Project objectives should be aligned with the program objectives and the specific objectives of the relevant Strand. Whether the focus is on promoting international academic cooperation, enhancing the skills of students and staff, improving digital competences or developing learning materials, each goal should be clear, achievable throughout the project and should be measurable. Projects may have multiple objectives, but each must be realistic given the available budget and resources, and the success of the objectives must be measured against measurable results.

Design and implementation

A general outline of the planned implementation is critical to the success of the project. This involves pre-defining work packages and preparing a logical framework matrix prior to submission. The average number of work packages for CBHE projects is around five, typically covering areas such as management, quality assurance, dissemination, internationalization and collaboration, capacity building in higher education institutions (HEIs), and sustainability. However, they can be adapted based on the specific needs and objectives of the project. Each work package should outline tasks, milestones, activities, and deliverables that logically align with the overall project goals.

project costs

As for expenses, the budget should be as realistic and fair as possible. It should reflect the contributions and responsibilities of each partner, ensuring consistency between the narrative description of roles in the application and the budget allocation. Although CBHE projects prevent the purchase of standard equipment, exceptions may be made for non-standard equipment necessary for the implementation of the project. It is also important to involve the management of the SD in the preparatory phase, to create different categories of personnel and to match the financial aspects of the project with its operational requirements.

Before submitting a proposal, it is important to familiarize yourself with the Erasmus+ Program 2025 Guidelines. This guide is an essential resource that provides detailed information on program-specific priorities, eligibility criteria, funding rules, and application procedures. By carefully reviewing the guidelines, you can ensure that your project is compatible with the program's actions, adheres to all requirements, and effectively responds to the evaluation criteria. This step not only increases the quality of your application, but also increases the likelihood of its approval.

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Tips for Creating a Competitive Proposal for Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Programme

The Erasmus+ program serves as a cornerstone for fostering international collaboration in education, connecting program countries, third countries associated with the program, and third countries not associated with it. Among its key objectives, Erasmus+ aims to enhance educational environments, infrastructure, governance, and management in non-associated third countries. Georgia, as part of Priority Region 2, stands out in this context, enjoying extensive privileges to participate in a wide array of Erasmus+ initiatives. While Georgian institutions may not always serve as coordinators, they frequently take on roles as full partners, ensuring active engagement in the program's transformative efforts.

Notably, one of the flagship components of Erasmus+ is Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), which is particularly geared towards addressing the needs and priorities of third countries not associated with the program. These projects aim to drive meaningful reforms and development, reinforcing the broader mission of Erasmus+ to promote inclusivity and international cooperation in education.

Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) stands out as one of the most sought-after initiatives within the Erasmus+ program in Georgia. Since 2014, Georgian beneficiaries have actively participated in approximately 80 CBHE projects, with 57 projects involving Georgian institutions as partners and 16 as coordinators. This strong participation reflects the country's commitment to leveraging CBHE opportunities for educational development and international collaboration.

CBHE projects are structured across three strands, each with varying objectives and funding scales. The budget allocation for CBHE projects ranges from 200,000 Euros for Strand 1, which focuses on enhancing educational curricula and teaching methods, to up to 1 million Euros for Strand 3, which supports large-scale structural reforms and capacity-building initiatives in higher education. This flexibility in funding allows CBHE to address diverse educational priorities while fostering sustainable development and collaboration in Georgia and beyond.

Need Analysis

When developing a project, conducting a thorough needs analysis is essential to demonstrate its relevance and importance to evaluators. The foundation of a successful project lies in clearly showing that it addresses real and pressing needs. These needs should be analyzed at multiple levels. On an institutional level, the project must respond to specific challenges or objectives faced by the institutions involved, ensuring that the proposed activities directly benefit them. On a country level, it is crucial to align the project with national priorities and strategies, demonstrating how it contributes to addressing broader systemic challenges. Finally, at the EU level, the project must align with European priorities and strategic documents, showcasing its compatibility with the overarching goals of the EU and the specific objectives of the program. A well-documented, evidence-based need analysis, supported by data and stakeholder input, is critical to justifying the project's creation and ensuring its relevance.

Consortium

Building a strong partnership (consortium) is equally important. Partners should be selected thoughtfully, with a clear understanding of their profiles, expertise, and ability to contribute to the project's success. Ideally, project partners and their representatives should have the opportunity to meet in advance to discuss ideas, establish common goals, and define roles and responsibilities. Changes to the consortium should only involve partners who can add genuine value, ensuring that inclusivity and diversity are prioritized. For instance, projects—especially those in Strand 1—should strive to involve less experienced or underprivileged institutions, as well as those located in remote areas, to distribute benefits equitably. Including participants with fewer opportunities due to social or economic barriers also aligns with inclusivity principles. To ensure effective collaboration, tools like online meetings can be used to organize discussions and define leaders responsible for specific deliverables.

Aim of the project

The aims of the project should align with the program's objectives and the specific goals of the relevant strand. Whether the focus is on fostering international academic cooperation, enhancing students' and staff's skills, improving digital competencies, or developing study materials, each aim must be clear, achievable within the project period, and measurable. Projects can have multiple aims, but each should be realistic given the available budget and resources, and the success of the aims should be evaluated through measurable outcomes.

Design and Implementation

A general outline of the planned implementation is crucial for project success. This involves defining work packages in advance and preparing a logical framework matrix before submission. For CBHE projects, the average number of work packages is around five, typically including areas like management, quality assurance, dissemination, internationalization and cooperation, capacity building in higher education institutions (HEIs), and sustainability. However, these can be adapted based on the project's specific needs and goals. Each work package should outline tasks, milestones, activities, and deliverables that align logically with the project's overall objectives.

Costs of the project

When it comes to costs, the budget must be as realistic and fair as possible. It should reflect each partner's contributions and responsibilities, ensuring alignment between the narrative description of roles and the budget distribution in the application. While CBHE projects discourage purchasing standard equipment, exceptions can be made for non-standard equipment essential to project implementation. It is also important to involve HEI management during the preparation phase, create distinct staff categories, and align the project's financial aspects with its operational requirements.

Before submitting your proposal, it is crucial to consult the Erasmus+ Program Guide 2025. This guide serves as an essential resource, providing detailed information about the priorities, eligibility criteria, funding rules, and application procedures specific to the program. By thoroughly reviewing the guide, you can ensure that your project aligns with the objectives of the relevant action, adheres to all requirements, and addresses the evaluation criteria effectively. This step not only enhances the quality of your submission but also increases the likelihood of its approval.