Erasmus+ glossary: 35 terms every coordinator uses

Terms from A to Z

ABCDEFGHIJKLNOPRSTU

A

Accreditation (KA120)

A seal that gives an organisation simplified, yearly access to KA1 mobility funding (KA121) based on a long-term Erasmus Plan. Applications need at least 70 of 100 points. In the 2026 call the deadline was 29 September.

Accredited consortium

A group of organisations, usually led by a local or regional authority, that holds one accreditation and runs mobilities for its members.

B

Beneficiary

The organisation that signs the grant agreement and receives the grant.

Beneficiary Module

The European Commission’s online tool where beneficiaries record each mobility, generate participant reports and submit the final report.

C

Course fees

A unit cost of 80 € per participant per day for structured courses and training. Courses last 2 to 10 days.

D

Distance calculator

The Commission’s official tool for measuring the one-way travel distance that sets the travel grant band.

E

Erasmus Plan

The long-term plan of an accredited organisation: objectives, activities and how mobility will improve the organisation.

Erasmus Quality Standards (EQS)

The common quality rules for all mobility projects in school, VET and adult education: inclusion, sustainability, good management, support for participants and sharing results.

Europass Mobility

A standard European document that records the skills gained during a mobility. Beneficiaries use it, or a similar document, to recognise learning outcomes.

F

Fewer opportunities (participants with)

People who face obstacles to taking part, for example disability, health, economic, social or geographical barriers. Extra inclusion support is available.

Final report

The report a beneficiary submits at the end of a project, usually within 60 days of the end date. The final payment follows within 60 days of its receipt.

G

Grant agreement

The contract between the beneficiary and the National Agency. The beneficiary signs first and the National Agency signs last.

Green travel

Travel mainly by low-emission transport such as train, bus or car-sharing. It has a higher travel rate and up to 6 travel days of individual support.

H

Hosting organisation

The organisation that receives participants, for example a course provider or a school for job shadowing.

I

Inclusion support

Extra funding for participants with fewer opportunities: 125 € per participant for the organisation, plus 100% of eligible real costs for the participant.

Individual support

A daily unit cost for accommodation, meals and local transport. For staff, the rate depends on the destination country group and is set by the sending National Agency within EU ranges.

J

Job shadowing

A staff mobility of 2 to 60 days in which a participant observes colleagues at a host organisation abroad.

K

KA1 (Key Action 1)

Learning mobility of individuals: staff and learners spend time abroad to learn.

KA121

Accredited mobility projects for organisations holding an Erasmus accreditation in school, VET or adult education.

KA122

Short-term mobility projects for organisations without accreditation: 6 to 18 months, up to 30 participants, and at most three grants in any five call years.

KA2 (Key Action 2)

Cooperation among organisations, for example Cooperation Partnerships (KA220) and Small-scale Partnerships (KA210).

L

Learning agreement

A document agreed by the sending organisation, the host and the participant before the activity, setting out what the participant will learn. For courses, the course programme can serve this purpose.

N

National Agency (NA)

The body in each programme country that manages most Erasmus+ actions in school, VET, adult education and youth. In Greece, this is IKY for education and training.

O

OID (Organisation ID)

The unique ID an organisation receives when it registers in the Organisation Registration System. It is used in applications managed by National Agencies.

Organisation Registration System (ORS)

The EU system where organisations register to obtain an OID.

Organisational support

A unit cost that helps the organisation run the project: 100 € per participant for courses, 350 € per participant for job shadowing and teaching assignments.

P

Participant report

The online survey every participant completes after a mobility. National Agencies expect a high return rate.

PIC (Participant Identification Code)

The 9-digit code used in actions managed centrally through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Preparatory visit

A short visit to the host before the main activity, funded at 680 € per participant for up to 3 people.

Programme Guide

The official rulebook of Erasmus+, published every year with the call.

Project Results Platform

The Commission’s public database where projects share their results.

R

Round 2

An optional autumn deadline for KA122 that each National Agency may open. In 2026 it was 1 October.

S

Sending organisation

The organisation that selects and sends participants abroad.

T

Teaching or training assignment

A staff mobility of 2 to 365 days in which a participant teaches or trains at a host organisation abroad.

U

Unit cost

A fixed amount per participant, day or kilometre band. Grants are paid on the activities carried out and documented, not on receipts.

Questions coordinators ask us

What is the difference between OID and PIC?

The OID is used in actions managed by National Agencies, such as KA1 and most KA2 projects. The PIC is used in actions managed centrally through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Is the Mobility Tool still used?

No. In the 2021–2027 programme, the Beneficiary Module replaced the Mobility Tool.

Sources

1. Erasmus+ Programme Guide
2. Programme Guide: mobility projects for school education staff
3. Programme Guide: Erasmus accreditation
4. Erasmus Quality Standards

Facts checked on 16 October 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.