Preparatory Visits: the first step to Leonardo or Grundtvig funding

Within our Leonardo and Grundtvig programmes we offer a range of funding for projects but what you might not know is that we also offer a type of funding called Preparatory Visits.

A step to finding the right partner

Preparatory Visits funding is available to you when your project is just a gem of an idea and you are looking for the right partners to help develop it further and bring it to life for your application for Leonardo or Grundtvig funding.

In addition, existing project promoters are also benefitting from this type of funding.  Vi-Ability received funding for a 2010 work based football training programme and applied for 2011 Preparatory Visits funding to meet a potential new partner to bring to the existing partnership:

We had a hugely successfully Leonardo Mobility project and felt that we could increase the number of mobilities we could offer while expanding the opportunities to different countries across Europe.

Preparatory Visits funding is available, on a rolling basis,  from the 2 April 2012 and you can apply for funding 8 weeks before your Visit takes place or before December 2012.   If you submit a successful Preparatory Visits application your visit can take place from June 2012 and before the deadline for the Leonardo or Grundtvig project you are looking to develop.

Developing a working relationship

Kelly Davies, director of Vi-Ability, went on the Preparatory Visit to meet with their potential partner in January of this year with an aim to submit a 2012 Leonardo Mobility project that would continue to build on the success of their first project.  The Visit itself was a chance to get to know one another professionally and for the Visit to act as the first step of a beneficial, long-lasting working relationship:

We wanted to identify a partner that could fulfill our needs and those of our participants.  During the Visit we were able to establish a work plan that would meet both ours, and our potential partners, requirements for the Mobility.  It was a chance to look at the partner facilities, begin risk assessment on identified accommodation as well as experiencing the cultural side of a Mobility with sight-seeing and sampling the local cuisine!

Since her Preparatory Visit, Kelly and her new partner have submitted an application for Leonardo Mobility funding and it is thanks to the funding that Kelly, and her partner, have established the first step to the project’s success:

A Preparatory Visit is key to begin the planning of the project and the ‘buy in’ from your partner to help ensure the best mobility experience for your participants.

How can I apply?

Preparatory Visits funding is available from the 2 April 2012 and you can apply for funding 8 weeks before your Visit takes place up to early December 2012.  If you submit a successful Preparatory Visits application your visit can take place from June 2012 up to the deadline for the Leonardo or Grundtvig project you are looking to develop.

You can find out more information on our websites including a step by step guide to the application process:

• Leonardo Preparatory Visits
• How to apply for a Leonardo Preparatory Visit
• Grundtvig Preparatory Visits
• How to apply for a Grundtvig Preparatory Visit

We are always interested in finding out where our funding goes and how it helps our potential and existing project promoters.  Why not tweet us @llpUKecorys after your Preparatory Visit to let us know how you get on or leave us a comment below?