What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the European Union's grant program in the fields of education, youth, and sports for the period 2021–2027. Erasmus+ KA131 is an EU program that supports student and staff mobility in higher education institutions. Within the scope of this activity, students can study or do internships abroad, while academic and administrative staff can engage in mobility for teaching or training purposes. KA131 aims to provide participants with international experience, improve their language skills, and promote intercultural understanding.

What Are the Objectives of the Program?

• Supporting Internationalization: Strengthening international cooperation among higher education institutions.
• Promoting Academic and Cultural Exchange: Enabling students and staff to experience different cultures and gain a global perspective.
• Improving Language and Communication Skills: Enhancing participants' foreign language proficiency and communication abilities.
• Supporting Career and Personal Development: Increasing students’ employability and promoting the professional development of staff.
• Enhancing Quality in Education: Improving the quality of teaching and learning through joint academic activities.
• Contributing to Digitalization and the Green Transition: Encouraging the use of digital tools and sustainable practices during mobilities.

Turkey’s Participation in the Program
Since 2004, Turkey has been a fully participating "program country" in Erasmus+. This allows higher education institutions in Turkey to exchange students and staff with EU member states and other associated countries, and to develop various collaborations. Coordinated by the Turkish National Agency, the program makes significant contributions to the internationalization of Turkey’s higher education system.

Horizontal Priorities of the Erasmus+ Program (2021–2027)
These priorities apply to all projects:

1. Inclusion and Diversity: Aims to ensure equal opportunities and encourage the participation of individuals with fewer opportunities in Erasmus+ activities. Special support is provided for individuals with disabilities or those from economically or socially disadvantaged groups.
2. Digital Transformation: ​​​​​​​Promotes the development of digital skills and the use of innovative teaching and learning methods. Effective use of digital tools and platforms (e.g., Erasmus+ App, Online Learning Agreement) is emphasized in Erasmus+ projects.
3. Environmental Sustainability: Supports raising environmental awareness, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting eco-friendly choices such as green travel in projects.
4. Participation in Democratic Life: Encourages the active involvement of young people and participants in democratic life, raises awareness about European values, and supports civic engagement.

Who Can Benefit from the Erasmus+ Program?
Associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students enrolled in higher education institutions in Turkey, as well as academic and administrative staff working at these institutions, can benefit from the Erasmus+ program. Students can study or gain professional experience abroad through study or internship mobility, while staff can participate in teaching or training activities for their professional development. To be eligible, the applying institution must hold the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) and be carrying out a project within the relevant activity area.

Structure of the Erasmus+ Program
For the 2021–2027 period, Erasmus+ is a European Union program supporting international mobility and cooperation in the fields of education, youth, and sports for individuals and institutions. The program is structured under three main Key Actions:

• Key Action 1 (KA1) – Learning Mobility of Individuals: Covers student and staff exchanges, education abroad, internships, and professional development activities (e.g., KA131).
• ​​​​​​​Key Action 2 (KA2) – Cooperation among Organizations and Institutions: Supports the development of joint projects and the sharing of best practices among higher education institutions.
• Key Action 3 (KA3) – Support for Policy Development and Cooperation:Aims to develop education and youth policies and encourage participation in decision-making processes.

Additionally, Jean Monnet activities and projects in the field of sports are also included in the program structure.