Activities in Nordplus Junior
Development projects and job-switching for teachers between schools are examples of the activities in the programme.
- Mobility
- Development projects
All activities must have a clearly defined aim, an expected outcome and correspond with the main objectives of the Nordplus programme. The project must be relevant to all of the participating organisations, identify development needs within the institutions and clarify the added international value. All activity types can be combined in the same application (except for preparatory visits and study visits).
If a project has received Nordplus Junior funding in previous application rounds, the project will be excluded from funding if the new application is comparable to previous granted applications (e.g. a copy and paste of previous applications without any development or progress).
The project period begins when the decision of approval has been sent out, in May for the spring round and November for the autumn round. If a project plans activities during three terms, one applies for a two-year project period.
Mobility projects
Mobility activities require cooperation between at least two partners (including the coordinator) from two different Nordplus countries. The following activities are eligible:
A. Preparatory visits
The purpose of preparatory visits is to give institutions the possibility to prepare and plan a future project and formulate an application to Nordplus Junior. The main principle is that one of the participating institutions/organisations acts as host. The host institution is not included in a mobility grant. As a maximum, one visit with two participating teachers per organisation and country can be applied for. An application for a preparatory visit cannot be combined with other mobility activities or development projects.
Eligible participants: Teachers and other pedagogical staff.
Project period: The activity must be carried out within the period of 1 year.
Duration of activity: Preparatory visits may last a maximum of 5 days, including travel days.
B. Teacher exchanges
Staff within eligible types of schools can apply for different kinds of exchanges, e.g. job-swapping, job-shadowing or experience exchanges where teachers take part in teaching in partner countries. The exchange may take place between one or more schools.
Eligible participants: Teachers and other pedagogical staff.
Project period: The activity must be completed within a period of 1-2 years.
Duration of activity: Teacher exchanges can range from 5 days (at least 3 working days and 2 travel days) up to 2 years.
C. Class exchange
Class exchanges involve groups of pupils or classes, from at least two participating Nordplus countries wishing to collaborate on a joint theme within the objectives of the Nordplus programme. The project may involve upper secondary students wishing to stay on longer and take part in theoretical studies and/or work placement.
Grants can be awarded for a maximum of 30 pupils per school and a maximum of two accompanying teachers per 10 pupils. >10 pupils grants will be allocated to two accompanying teachers. The common theme must be of a pedagogical nature and linked to curricula. All participating partners are expected to benefit and to gain from the cooperation.
Eligible participants: Pupils and accompanying teachers.
Project period: Class exchanges are possible for 1 year or 2 years. The allocation of the number of pupils each year should be described in the application.
Duration of activity: The exchange can range from 5 days (at least 3 working days and 2 travel days) and up to 3 weeks.
Example: Two schools from two different Nordplus countries are partners in a class exchange. Each school can receive mobility grants for 30 pupils and six accompanying teachers. They can choose to complete these 72 exchanges during one year. But they can also choose to spread out the exchanges over a longer period up to a maximum of two years. The required period (1–2 years) must be specified in the application.
D. Study visits
Schools or local Education Departments may plan for a visit to other educational institutions, research centers, governmental institutions, school legal bodies, companies etc. The study visit must contribute to new knowledge, experiences, and perspectives relevant to the professions within the school sector and must clearly meet an identified development need at the organisation.
Grants can be awarded for a minimum of 2 and maximum of 5 participants per school/organisation. Grants can be awarded for maximum 5 days per person and one visit per application. Grants can only be awarded for one visit per application. The applicant must select a host organisation in another Baltic or Nordic country for the Study visit. You may perform other relevant meetings during the stay; however, all activities must be clearly motivated in the application.
Eligible Participants: Teachers, school leaders, pedagogical staff or employees at local Education Departments. N.B. grants will not be awarded to pupils.
Project period: The activity must be performed within 6 months.
Duration of activity: The duration of the Study visit may be 2 - 3 days excluding travelling days.
Application round: Applications for the activity Study visit is only possible during the autumn application round.
Priorities: If necessary, the following priorities will be applied; geographical distribution, Newcomers in Nordplus Junior.
Development projects
Applications for development activities must be based on an agreement between a minimum of three institutions or organisations from three different participating countries.
Development projects may involve strategic partnerships or networks.
Schools can form development projects on a specific theme that is consistent with the objectives of Nordplus and with the development needs of the participating institutions. Schools and organisations can form long term partnerships aimed at giving schools the opportunity to develop pedagogical and didactical methods. The projects are meant to broaden the perspective on the chosen theme(s).
Examples of fields for partnerships:
- Quality assurance
- Dissemination of project results
- Development and improvement of pedagogical and/or didactical teaching methods
- Curriculum development
School groups, organisations or institutions can also form long-term networks collaborating within the educational sector. In thematic networks, participants exchange knowledge and experience on a shared issue, topic or challenge. This can generate new ideas and proposals for future initiatives.
Eligible activities for network support include:
- Administrative meetings to establish and develop the network
- Information activities
- Dissemination of results, for example dissemination seminars
A development project may apply for a grant for a maximum of two years.