National Erasmus+ Office in Azerbaijan (NEO-AZ) under the Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027)

ended

The proposal covers the work of the officially designated NEO in Azerbaijan during the next three years 2022-2024.Azerbaijan is a country of 10 million people with a total of 51 higher education institutions (187,654 bachelor and masters students total),110 VET Schools (number of students 23,193) and 321 registered youth organizations; a total of 43 sports societies; 84 sports federations/237 sports clubs. All these are NEO-AZ target groups and potential beneficiaries of the Erasmus+.The main objectives are:1)promotion and support activities of the respective calls for proposals that include various individual as well as institutional opportunities available with the special focus to NDICI funding for new actions under Erasmus+;2)dissemination, exploitation and valorisation of the results of the Erasmus+ programme in the country;3)Networking activities with core stakeholders;4)support to a group of local Higher Education Reforms Experts (HEREs).The expected results include (but are not limited to):increased participation of institutions and individuals, especially in the field of VET which is complimentary to long-term vision of Azerbaijani State VET Strategy to “form a vocational education system that will prepare qualified workforce based on vocational standards and educational programs (curriculums) matching with the requirements of the labour market”; reaching out to less experienced/disadvantaged groups of beneficiaries with fewer opportunities (such as VET organizations in remote areas (Mingachevir, Lankaran),newcomer HEIs such as Azerbaijan Sports Academy,Azerbaijan Military/Police schools,Baku Institute of Theology);empowering people through education and skills, strengthening the voice of EU in the world through international cooperation and development-thus contributing to Commission overarching priorities under the new programme.The NEO-AZ will aim to achieve these results through a series of events,campaigns,continuous consultations and other activities.