GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LEONARDO DA VINCI PROGRAMME 2000 - 2006

The Leonardo da Vinci (LdV) is one of the three education programmes of the European Union implemented in Poland which contribute to the implementation of its vocational education and training policy. The overriding aim of the programme is to promote activities focused on upgrading the quality of VET systems and adapting the system of education to the labour market needs. The programme provides a framework for transnational cooperation in the sphere of raising quality, fostering innovation and promoting a European dimension in vocational education and training systems, approaches and practices.

The programme was established by the Council Decision of the European Commission in 1994. Initially, it was open to the participation of the member states of the European Union and EFTA, and subsequently extended to include the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey (currently under preparation). In all, 31 countries participate in the Programme. Poland joined the LdV in 1998, based on the decision of the Association Council. Currently, the second programme phase for the years 2000 - 2006 is under way.

At the Community level, the programme is managed by the European Commission, and at the national level - by National Agencies set up in each of the participating countries. Participation in the programme is based on proposals selected in the calls published annually by the European Commission and the National Agencies. Leonardo da Vinci provides co-financing to projects which have been jointly prepared by organizations from several countries, with at least one of them originating from the EU member states. Proposals may be submitted by all bodies having legal personality. Individuals (i.e. natural persons) cannot submit proposals independently. The proposals are subject to evaluation by national and EU experts.

Varied groups of participants are eligible to participate in the projects carried out under the programme, ranging from pupils and students to workers, trainers, managers and the unemployed.

Under Leonardo da Vinci, six types of projects eligible for the Community co-financing may be implemented: - mobility, - pilot projects, including the so-called thematic actions, - language competences, - transnational networks, - reference material, - joint actions.

Mobility
These projects are aimed to promote international mobility of those who participate in vocational training schemes. In particular, they focus on the organization of training programmes which facilitate vocational development. The main assumption underlying mobility projects is the combination of theory and practice and, as a result, strengthening the linkage between the world of education and that of work. Co-financing is offered to placements for pupils, students, young workers and school leavers, as well as to exchanges for teachers and trainers, vocational counselors, HR managers, organizers of training, as well as foreign language teachers.

Pilot projects
These projects are aimed to raise the quality of vocational education, training and guidance. Of particular interest are proposals to develop educational products involving innovative teaching methods, using modern technologies. The so-called thematic actions are a separate group of pilot projects. They deal with themes of particular interest at Community level and include activities aimed at upgrading the quality of VET systems and practices, fighting exclusion, raising intercultural awareness, and projects addressing the specific training needs of migrant people/workers.

Language projects
Such projects aim to promote foreign language competencies and the knowledge of European cultures and cover both the development of teaching methodologies (including innovative projects adapted to the needs of different sectors), the evaluation of progress in acquiring language skills and procedures of assessing language needs. Grants may also be awarded to promoters of projects involving less popular European languages.

Transnational networks
The Leonardo da Vinci programme promotes the development of transnational institution networks providing an infrastructure for the dissemination of knowledge and experiences at European level. Such networks should contribute to the implementation of the following three tasks:

• to assemble, pool and build on European expertise and innovatory approaches;
• to improve the analysis and anticipation of skills requirements in the context of knowledge and skills of workers in different branches;
• to disseminate the network outputs and project results throughout the Union in the appropriate circles.