{Last Update: 24.12.2025}

Virtual exchange programs are online, person-to-person activities to encourage intercultural dialogue and develop soft skills. This initiative enables every young person to have access to high-quality international and inter-cultural education (both formal and informal), without the need for physical mobility. Although virtual debates and training cannot fully replace the benefits of physical mobility, online exchange programs can still accrue some benefits. In addition, virtual exchange programs help spread European values. Also, virtual mobility can, in certain cases, prepare the basis and/or deepen and expand physical exchange programs, as well as increase the demand for the latter.  

Virtual exchanges always take place in small groups moderated by a suitably trained facilitator. Integration of the mentioned initiative is easily possible in youth (informal) projects and/or higher education courses. Virtual exchange programs may involve participants from both sectors equally. Each project must bring together participants from both EU member states and associated countries and third countries not associated with the programme.

Program Objectives

This initiative aims to:

• encourage intercultural dialogue with third countries not associated with the program and improve the level of tolerance through face-to-face interaction in an online format;
• Promoting various types of virtual exchanges in addition to Erasmus+ physical mobility, which will allow more young people to benefit from intercultural and international experiences;
• Strengthening critical thinking and media literacy, especially in the use of the Internet and social media, such as combating discrimination, indoctrination, polarization, and violent radicalization;
• Encourage the development of digital and soft skills among students, young people and youth workers, including foreign language learning and teamwork, particularly with a view to increasing employability;
• Promoting the common values ​​of citizenship and freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education;
• Strengthening the youth dimension in the EU's relations with third countries.

Thematic areas / specific objectives

Erasmus+ virtual exchange programs are a "bottom-up" type of initiative, which means that the participating organizations are given the freedom to choose the topics of interest to them, but their results must demonstrate that the initiative responded to the program objectives listed above. Also, gender accents should be considered in the projects (eg, discussion of gender-sensitive topics during trainings). Within the framework of the project, special attention should be paid to inclusiveness and socially and economically vulnerable groups who do not have access to physical mobility. 

activities

Projects will be funded under work plans that may include a wide range of online collaboration activities, including:

• Online-facilitated discussions between young people and youth organizations based in different countries. Role-playing games may be held among them.
• Trainings for youth workers who want to organize virtual exchange projects with their colleagues in different countries;
• Online, facilitated discussions between higher education students from different countries that will be part of the relevant higher education degree;
• Trainings for higher education professors and administrative staff from different countries who wish to organize virtual exchange projects with their colleagues in different countries;
• Interactive, open, online courses, including the material resources of traditional training courses, such as recorded lectures, readings, case studies (MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses format, but with an emphasis on the fact that users - students, professors, youth and young Interaction between workers should be done through forums).

Who can participate?

Who can apply?	Applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities, if applicable) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) and may belong to the following categories: Organizations operating in the field of higher education or youth (non-formal education) Youth organizations Higher education institutions, associations or organizations of higher education institutions, as well as legally recognized national or international rectors', teachers' or students' organizations. Applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities, if applicable) must be based in one of the following countries: Member State of the European Union Third country related to the programme  A third country not associated to the Programme from an eligible region. The eligible regions covered by this action are 1, 2, 3 and 9 (see section "Eligible countries" in Part A of this Guide). The coordinating organisation must be a youth organisation or a higher education institution and must be legally established and located in an EU Member State or a third country linked to the Programme.  Organisations from third countries not associated with the programme cannot be coordinators.
Profile and number of participating organizations	Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 6 applicants (beneficiaries, non-affiliated entities) that meets the following conditions: At least 6 independent entities (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) from 6 different eligible countries; At least 3 higher education institutions or youth organisations from 3 different EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme and 3 higher education institutions or youth organisations from 3 different eligible third countries not associated to the Programme and belonging to the same eligible region (number and profile of the region; participating organisations) Organizations from different eligible regions cannot participate in the same project. Cross-regional projects are not eligible; The number of organisations from EU Member States and third countries associated with the programme shall not exceed the number of organisations from third countries not associated with the programme. Only beneficiaries (not affiliated entities) are considered part of the consortium. Associated partners are not considered part of the consortium.
Place of activities	Activities may take place in the countries from which the participants are represented.
Duration of the project	Projects, as a standard, last 36 months (exceptions are allowed in special cases).
Where to apply?	European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Call ID: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-NE
When is the application due?	Applications must be submitted by 26 March, 17:00 (Brussels time).