Comenius

LEONARDO DA VINCI

The Leonardo da Vinci Programme funds practical projects in the field of vocational education and training.
Initiatives range from those giving individuals work-related training abroad to large-scale co-operation efforts.

Part of the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme, this programme funds many different types of activities of
varying scales. These include ‘mobility’ initiatives enabling people to train in another country, co-operation projects to
transfer or develop innovative practices, and networks focusing on topical themes in the sector.

The people able to benefit from the programme range from trainees in initial vocational training, to people who have already
graduated, as well as VET professionals and anyone from organisations active in this field.

Leonardo da Vinci enables organisations in the vocational education sector to work with partners from across Europe, exchange
best practices, and increase their staff’s expertise. It should make vocational education more attractive to young people and,
by helping people to gain new skills, knowledge and qualifications, the programme also boosts the overall competitiveness of
the European labour market.

Innovation projects are key to the programme. They aim to improve the quality of training systems by developing and transferring
innovative policies, courses, teaching methods, materials and procedures.

What are the aims?

Specific objectives

To support participants in training and further training activities in the acquisition and the use of knowledge, skills and qualifications
to facilitate personal development.

To support improvements in quality and innovation in vocational education and training systems, institutions and practices.

To enhance the attractiveness of vocational education and training and mobility for employers and individuals and to facilitate the
mobility of working trainees.

Operational objectives

To improve the quality and to increase the volume of mobility throughout Europe of people involved in initial vocational education and
training and in continuing training, so as to increase placements in enterprises to at least 80.000 per year by the end of the LLP.
To improve the quality and to increase the volume of co-operation between institutions or organisations providing learning opportunities,
enterprises, social partners and other relevant bodies throughout Europe.
To facilitate the development of innovative practices in the field of vocational education and training other than at tertiary level, and
their transfer, including from one participating country to others.
To improve the transparency and recognition of qualifications and competences, including those acquired through non-formal and informal learning.
To encourage the learning of modern foreign languages.
To support the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning.