With the beginning of 2024, we are excited to share new developments regarding our upcoming projects. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) has secured approval for two ambitious new projects - Diversity and Inclusion in Erasmus+ iMplementation (DIEM) and Digitalising Erasmus Traineeship Application 7 Support (DETAS).
With these two new projects, ESN reiterates its commitment to ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of Erasmus+ opportunities for students. We have been involved in projects related to inclusive mobility for more than a decade and have carried out leading research activities on barriers to mobility for almost two decades. Through DIEM and DETAS, we are determined to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of student mobility and internationalisation, making a positive impact that resonates across borders and generations.
DIEM - Diversity and Inclusion in Erasmus+ iMplementation
Building on the efforts of the SIEM project, DIEM is intrinsically connected with the inclusion & diversity priority, with a special focus on widening participation in student mobility and setting the groundwork for a reinforced inclusion strategy in its successor programme.
This new project sets out to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation of the perspectives of stakeholders and policy changes implemented across levels, as well as to improve the implementation of the different tools in Erasmus+ Higher Education incorporated in the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 and the information about the existing possibilities for students.
Overall, the project seeks to have a qualitative and quantitative impact on making Erasmus+ more inclusive, identifying barriers that make access to mobility more challenging, with a key emphasis on proposing solutions that help to remove those barriers, ultimately leading to a better experience for more students.
Removing barriers to participation is a multifaceted issue that requires organisations with a diverse range of expertise. In order to achieve a transformative impact through the DIEM project, the consortium includes a combination of umbrella organisations representing the three main actors in the implementation of the programme (students, Higher Education Institutions, and National Agencies) and a diverse group of Universities with different backgrounds. The DIEM consortium is a collaboration between the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), the European University Foundation (EUF), the Humboldt University, the University of Latvia, the University of Pavia, and the Jagiellonian University.
The project will run from 1st of February of 2024 until 31st of December of 2026, and will have the following work packages:
- WP1: Project Management & Quality Assurance
- WP2: Student Perspectives & Information Provision
- WP3: Improved Models for Inclusive Mobilities
- WP4: Inclusive Internationalisation 4 Universities
- WP5: Communication and Dissemination
DETAS - Digitalising Erasmus Traineeship Application Support
The DETAS project intends to support students to bridge the gap between their academic and professional lives in line with the Erasmus+ objective of strengthening the employability of youth.
From this perspective, we aim to improve accessibility to the job market for students to gain professional experience and develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. DETAS will also contribute to supporting learning and teaching partnerships with commercial and non-commercial organisations in the private sector that foster students’ exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Overall, the aim is to improve the experience of Erasmus+ trainees before, during and after their exchange by gathering a better understanding of their needs and providing tools and resources to support them. DETAS wants to support young people through the improvement of Erasmus+ Intern, boosting the promotion of traineeship mobilities and support given to students.
The project consortium is composed of the Erasmus Student Network, the European University Foundation, the University of Limerick, the University of Latvia, the West University of Timisoara, the Lifelong Learning Platform, and the Expertise in Labour Market (ELM).
The project will run from 1st of February of 2024 until 31st of December of 2026, and will have the following work packages:
- WP1: Project Management
- WP2: Innovating the Digital Trainee Journey
- WP3: Hosting Experiences for Trainees
- WP4: University's Role in Quality Traineeship placements
- WP5: Improvements for the next programme edition
DIEM and DETAS reinforce our commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible educational landscape, ensuring that the benefits of Erasmus+ opportunities are extended to all students, irrespective of their circumstances. We are looking forward to the launch of our new projects and invite everyone interested to be a part of this incredible journey.
Follow ESN