What is KA3: who/where publishes the calls?
KA3 funds activities that help shape and implement EU-level public policies in education, youth, and sport (EU policy cooperation), as well as systemic reforms. In the current programme logic, the Programme Guide lists only European Youth Together (EYT) under KA3, while other KA3 measures (e.g., networks, policy dialogues, policy experimentations in education, etc.) are announced through separate centralised calls managed by EACEA (the European Education and Culture Executive Agency).
Note: Some KA3 calls are not always described in the Guide itself; they are posted directly on the Funding & Tenders portal, with accompanying EACEA info days (e.g., European Policy Experimentations 2024).
Key KA3 opportunities for legal entities/applicants
1) European Youth Together (EYT)
- Who can apply? Legal entities (NGOs, public bodies; for-profit entities may join, but not as coordinators) registered in an EU Member State or a Programme-associated country.
- Consortium: At least 5 applicants from 5 different EU/Programme-associated countries. Associated partners are allowed but don’t count toward the minimum.
- Where activities take place: In EU Member States or Programme-associated countries.
- Budget and funding: Lump-sum grant up to €500,000, with up to 80% co-funding. Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is allowed under clearly defined conditions.
- Award criteria: Relevance (max 30), Quality of design/implementation (30), Quality of partnership (20), Impact and dissemination (20). Minimum 60 points overall, with minimum thresholds per criterion.
- Implications for BiH: Bosnia and Herzegovina is a non-associated third country (Region 1 – Western Balkans). BiH legal entities cannot be grant beneficiaries or coordinators in EYT, but can participate as associated partners without funding, if their role is clearly described.
2) Civil Society Cooperation – Operating grants (Youth; Education & Training)
These calls provide structural (operating) support to European networks/ENGOs in youth or education and training. Typically, applicants must be European organisations based in an EU/Programme-associated country; the call is centralised and run by EACEA. (Details vary year to year.)
- Implications for BiH: BiH legal entities cannot apply directly for these operating grants, but they can be members of European networks that receive a grant, and through membership contribute to activities and access network resources (subject to the grantee’s rules).
3) European Policy Experimentations (education)
Periodic centralised KA3 calls to test public-policy solutions with the participation of ministries/high public authorities and relevant actors. General rules: applicants must be registered in EU/Programme-associated countries; organisations from non-associated third countries may join as associated partners (no grant). Exceptionally, some topics may open full eligibility to the Western Balkans—e.g., in the 2024 call, Topic 6 (Higher Education) allowed applicants from Albania, BiH, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
Conclusion for BiH: Under KA3, participation is mainly as associated partners without funding. Full eligibility (as beneficiary/co-applicant) is possible only if a specific call explicitly allows it—so it’s essential to check each topic/call individually.
What a legal entity needs to join a KA3 project (as applicant or partner)
A) If you are an applicant/beneficiary
(applies to organisations from EU/Programme-associated countries; BiH only when a call explicitly opens eligibility)
- Register on the EU Funding & Tenders portal and obtain a PIC (Participant Identification Code).
- Validate your legal entity and appoint a LEAR (Legal Entity Appointed Representative): submit registration/legal documents, undergo Central Validation Service checks, appoint the LEAR who manages your organisation’s data.
- Consortium and roles: define the coordinator and partners (beneficiaries), and if needed, associated partners (no grant) and/or affiliated entities (with grant, if the call allows).
- Prepare and submit the application online via the portal (Part A – admin; Part B – narrative; budget/Excel calculator or lump-sum plan, depending on the call)
B) If you are a partner (beneficiary in a consortium)
- Same as A) for PIC and validation (if the partner is from an EU/Programme-associated country).
- Be ready for checks of operational and financial capacity.
C) If you are from BiH and join as an associated partner (most common in KA3)
- PIC/validation are not required because you do not receive a grant.
- Define your role, tasks, and visibility in a partnership agreement with the coordinator.
This is common in EYT and Policy Experimentations (when associated participation by third countries is allowed).
How does it work?
Participation in Erasmus+ depends on the type of activity, but it is very straightforward and—most importantly—transparent. Some of the most common and popular ways to take part are:
- Individual mobility — student exchanges, traineeships, youth exchanges, volunteering, training for youth workers, etc.
- Cooperation among organisations — partnership projects in education, digital transformation and inclusion, and many other fields.
- Support for policy reform and capacity building — evidence‑based policy development and dialogue between young people and decision‑makers.
Applications are submitted through the organisations that run projects: schools, universities, youth organisations, sports clubs, etc. Individuals usually apply via those organisations, which are partners in the project itself. In addition, there is the possibility to apply through the SALTO‑YOUTH platform, where organisations publish calls for projects and opportunities open to various countries. You simply create a profile and explore the opportunities on offer.
Where and how to track KA3 calls
- Erasmus+ Funding calls — overview and links to open calls.
- Funding & Tenders portal — the official place for all centralised KA3 calls and submissions (EACEA)
- Brain Tank website — for updates if calls explicitly allowing BiH participation open up.
Summary for BiH organisations
- BiH is a non-associated third country. The basic rule in KA3: you usually join as an associated partner without funding, unless a given call explicitly opens full eligibility for the Western Balkans (rare, but it happens—e.g., Policy Experimentations 2024, Topic 6).
- For EYT, to be a grant beneficiary/coordinator you must be based in an EU/Programme-associated country, with a 5-from-5 consortium and activities within those countries.
- Follow the Funding & Tenders portal and EACEA communications; for BiH-specific guidance, contact NEO BiH.
Brain Tank as your partner in KA3 projects
Brain Tank has proven experience preparing project proposals for applicants from BiH and for international partners from EU countries and beyond. We understand the rules and practices of various KA3 calls and offer flexible collaboration models tailored to your capacity and timelines.
What we can do for you
- Support with registrations and technical prerequisites (accounts and platform sign-ups)
- Identify suitable calls and quickly check your idea’s eligibility
- Advise and co-create the project idea (objectives, logic frame, activities, results, indicators)
- Write the proposal (narrative, work plan, dissemination/sustainability) or handle the entire process from idea to submission
- Search for and select partners, define roles, prepare required statements/mandates
- Build and model the budget with a clear cost structure and compliance with call rules
For any questions and to agree on next steps, we’re at your disposal at info@braintank.ba.