The difference between KA1 and KA2 Erasmus+ funding lies in their focus and scope. KA1 supports mobility projects for individuals, enabling staff and students to train, study, or gain experience abroad. KA2 funds larger strategic partnerships between organizations to develop innovative practices and exchange expertise. Each funding stream has different application requirements, budget scales, and expected outcomes designed to achieve the broader educational and training objectives of the Erasmus+ programme.
What is the Erasmus+ program and how does its funding work?
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme supporting education, training, youth, and sport across Europe. Launched in 2014, it provides funding opportunities for organizations and individuals to study, train, gain experience, or volunteer abroad. The programme aims to boost skills, employability, and modernize education and training systems throughout Europe.
The programme’s funding structure is organized into three main “Key Actions” (KAs), each with specific objectives:
- Key Action 1 (KA1): Mobility of individuals for learning purposes
- Key Action 2 (KA2): Cooperation for innovation and exchange of good practices
- Key Action 3 (KA3): Support for policy reform
The European Commission manages the overall budget and sets programme priorities, while the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) handles implementation at the European level. National Agencies in each participating country manage most of the decentralized actions, including application processes, project selection, and financial administration for their regions.
What exactly is KA1 funding in Erasmus+?
KA1 funding in Erasmus+ specifically supports mobility projects that enable individuals to travel abroad for learning experiences. These projects focus on personal development, improving language skills, and gaining international perspectives that participants can bring back to their home institutions.
The primary activities eligible for KA1 funding include:
- Staff mobility for teaching or training assignments
- Student mobility for studies or traineeships
- Youth exchanges and volunteering opportunities
- Professional development courses and job shadowing
KA1 projects are typically managed by a single organization (the applicant) that sends its learners or staff members abroad. Funding covers travel costs, organizational support, individual support (accommodation and subsistence), course fees, linguistic support, and special needs support when required.
Application requirements for KA1 are relatively straightforward compared to other Key Actions, making it an excellent entry point for organizations new to Erasmus+. Projects generally last between 12 and 24 months, with mobilities ranging from a few days to several months depending on the type of activity.
What does KA2 funding cover in the Erasmus+ program?
KA2 funding supports strategic partnerships between organizations from different participating countries working together to develop, share, and implement innovative practices in education, training, and youth work. These collaborative projects address shared challenges and aim to create lasting impact across sectors and regions.
KA2 projects typically include activities such as:
- Developing innovative outputs like curricula, teaching materials, or methodologies
- Organizing joint staff training events
- Creating platforms for cooperation and exchange of good practices
- Implementing small-scale learning, teaching, or training activities
- Testing and implementing innovative approaches
Unlike KA1, KA2 projects require partnerships between multiple organizations (typically 3-10 partners) from different countries. These partnerships can include schools, universities, NGOs, research institutions, public authorities, and private companies, depending on the project’s focus.
Funding covers project management, implementation costs, intellectual output development, multiplier events, learning/teaching/training activities, and exceptional costs. KA2 projects generally last between 12 and 36 months, with budgets that can range from €100,000 to over €450,000 depending on the project’s scope and activities.
What are the main differences between KA1 and KA2 Erasmus+ funding?
The main differences between KA1 and KA2 Erasmus+ funding relate to their project scope, partnership requirements, application complexity, budget scales, and expected outcomes. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right funding stream for your organization’s goals.
| Aspect | KA1 (Mobility) | KA2 (Strategic Partnerships) |
|---|---|---|
| Project Focus | Individual mobility and personal development | Institutional cooperation and innovation |
| Partnership Structure | Single applicant organization sending participants abroad | Multiple partners (typically 3-10) from different countries |
| Application Complexity | Relatively straightforward | More complex, requiring detailed planning |
| Budget Scale | Smaller (€5,000-€100,000 typically) | Larger (€100,000-€450,000+ typically) |
| Project Duration | 12-24 months | 12-36 months |
| Primary Impact | Individual skills and institutional practices | Systemic change and innovation |
KA1 projects tend to be more focused on immediate benefits for participants, while KA2 projects aim for broader, longer-lasting impact across organizations and sectors. KA1 has a simpler administrative structure, whereas KA2 requires more robust project management and coordination among multiple partners.
How do you choose between applying for KA1 or KA2 funding?
Choosing between KA1 and KA2 funding depends on your organization’s goals, capacity, and experience with EU projects. Consider these factors when making your decision:
Choose KA1 if your organization:
- Is new to Erasmus+ and wants to start with a simpler project
- Aims to develop staff competencies or provide learning opportunities abroad
- Has limited project management capacity
- Wants to focus on individual professional development
- Needs a more predictable project structure with fewer variables
Choose KA2 if your organization:
- Has experience with international projects
- Wants to develop innovative educational approaches or materials
- Has identified partners with complementary expertise
- Has the capacity to manage complex, multi-partner projects
- Aims to create lasting change across organizations or sectors
Many organizations begin with KA1 projects to build experience and international networks before moving on to more complex KA2 partnerships. Others may participate as partners in KA2 projects led by more experienced organizations before applying as coordinators themselves.
We recommend assessing your organizational priorities, available resources, and long-term strategic goals when deciding which funding stream best matches your needs.
What are the success rates and common challenges in KA1 and KA2 applications?
Success rates for Erasmus+ applications vary by country, sector, and action type, but generally, KA1 applications have higher success rates (around 60-70%) compared to KA2 (typically 20-30%). This difference reflects the greater competition and complexity of strategic partnership projects.
Common challenges in KA1 applications include:
- Insufficient connection between mobility activities and organizational needs
- Weak impact assessment plans
- Limited dissemination strategies for sharing results
- Lack of clear participant selection criteria
- Inadequate preparation and follow-up measures
For KA2 applications, typical pitfalls include:
- Unclear relevance to Erasmus+ priorities
- Imbalanced partnerships where some organizations have minimal roles
- Overly ambitious or vague objectives
- Insufficient demonstration of innovation
- Weak sustainability and impact plans
- Disproportionate budgets that don’t match proposed activities
To improve your chances of success, focus on addressing evaluation criteria effectively. For both KA1 and KA2, applications are assessed on relevance, quality of design and implementation, impact, and dissemination. KA2 applications are also evaluated on the quality of the partnership team.
Start planning well in advance of deadlines, involve all relevant stakeholders in the design process, and ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates European added value. Consider attending information sessions or contacting your National Agency for guidance before submitting your application.
Ready to Apply for Erasmus+ Funding?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your Erasmus+ journey, our comprehensive application guide provides all the information you need to submit a successful proposal. Visit our How to Apply page for detailed instructions, application timelines, and expert tips that will maximize your chances of securing funding.
Be sure to explore our AI-powered assistants through the link above, designed specifically to help you navigate the Erasmus+ funding application process. These intelligent tools can guide you through complex requirements, help you craft compelling proposals, and provide personalized support at every stage of your application journey.