Erasmus Charter for Higher Education
The Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) provides the general quality framework for European and international cooperation activities a higher education institution may carry out within Erasmus+. The award of an ECHE is a pre-requisite for all higher education institutions located in a Programme country and willing to participate in parts of the Erasmus+ Programme dedicated to the field of higher education.
The Erasmus Charter contains the fundamental principles to be respected by HEIs when participating in Erasmus+ programme.
What is the significance of the Erasmus Charter?
The Erasmus Charter is important because it:
- contributes to the standardization of the essential elements of the organization of mobilities,
- encourages institutions to think strategically about implementation of the Erasmus+ programme,
- is a pre-requisite for all higher education institutions located in a Programme countries as well as from Serbia in the Erasmus + programme.
Who can apply?
Institutions eligible to apply for Erasmus Charter are higher education institutions located in one of the following countries:
- Member States of the European Union,
- EFTA / EEA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway),
- EU candidate countries (Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey).
Higher education institutions from Programme countries are obligated to hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education in order to be eligible to participate in Erasmus+ projects, dedicated to the field of higher education, while higher education institutions from Partner countries are bound to Erasmus Charter principles by signing an inter-institutional agreement with higher education institutions from a Programme country.
When to apply?
The Call is open once a year, usually in the spring. The Charter is granted for the entire duration of the Erasmus+ programme, while the European Commission reserves the right to withdraw the approved Erasmus Charter in case of non-compliance of its principles.
Only accredited independent higher education institutions from Serbia can apply for the Erasmus Charter.
Who monitors the implementation of the Erasmus Charter principles?
Foundation Tempus monitors the implementation of the Charter principles, processes any complaints in line with European Commission guidelines and notifies the Commission of the inadequate implementation of the Charter.
What are the obligations of higher education institutions awarded with the Erasmus Charter?
Higher education institutions holding the Erasmus Charter undertake to respect in full the principles of non-discrimination set out in the Erasmus+ Programme and ensure equal access and opportunities to mobile participants from all backgrounds, to ensure full recognition for satisfactorily completed activities of study mobility and, where possible, traineeships in terms of credits awarded (ECTS or compatible system). They also ensure the inclusion of satisfactorily completed study and/or traineeship mobility activities in the final record of student achievements (Diploma Supplement or equivalent), as well as that it will not charge fees, in the case of credit mobility, to incoming mobile students for tuition, registration, examinations or access to laboratory and library facilities.
Besides these principles, by signing the Charter, higher education institutions commit to respect other responsibilities leading to establishment of quality framework for European and international cooperation.
More information about the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education can be found on the website of the European Commission.
https://erasmusplus.rs/applications/erasmus-charter-for-higher-education/