Fáilte!

Léargas, in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority, is pleased to welcome you to Dublin for the Informal Erasmus+ NA Directors’ meeting for Education & Training and the Business Meeting of NAs for Youth, held under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The ‘Informal Erasmus+ NA Directors’ meeting for Education & Training and the Business Meeting of NAs for Youth' is a high-level event held every six months. It brings together Erasmus+ National Agencies to engage in policy dialogue, exchange best practices on effective implementation and management, and collaboratively shape the future direction of the programme.

1. Artificial Intelligence in National Agency Work

Following general discussion organised during the joint session in Cyprus (May 2026), this discussion will focus on consequences of AI for National Agencies. This discussion will examine how AI is already being used, or could be used, across National Agency work, including communications, beneficiary support, administration, data analysis, monitoring and internal knowledge management.

It should also consider common risks, including data protection, confidentiality, accuracy, bias and the need for human oversight. The SALTO Digital survey results on NA staff training needs could be presented in plenary, given their relevance across all fields.

2. Future of TCA, LTA, TEC and NET

This discussion will consider how the format, structure and financing of TCA and LTA activities should develop, taking account of available budgets, administrative demands and expectations for stronger links with programme priorities.

It should also explore how the existing TEC and NET allocations can be safeguarded while maintaining the strategic value of cooperation activities.

3. Links Between the European Youth Strategy and Education & training

The discussion should explore how the principles of the European Youth Strategy, particularly participation, inclusion, empowerment and active citizenship, could be reflected more strongly across the education and training fields. identify areas of common focus for next draft feedback.

4. Further Development of the Erasmus Observatory

This discussion will consider the purpose and next steps for establishing an Erasmus+ Observatory, with a wider focus on monitoring programme outcomes and rather than programme statistics alone.
It should clarify how the Observatory could work with existing research and impact networks, including RAY and RIA, while avoiding duplication and making effective use of existing evidence.

5. Management Fee Arrangements

This topic will examine whether current management fee arrangements remain appropriate in light of increasing programme budgets, project numbers, administrative complexity and demands on National Agencies.

The discussion should consider whether management fees adequately reflect the real cost of programme delivery and whether future arrangements should include a more of a balance with increase bursary to set an increase in operational calculation method.

6. Communicating Programme Results and Impact in the context of 40^th anniversary of the Programme

This discussion will examine how NAs can communicate the results and impact of Erasmus+ more clearly and consistently, including through participant stories, programme evidence and national and European-level messaging.

The Erasmus40 anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate the programme’s achievements while also explaining its future value and the next programme period.

Meeting will end Wednesday, 3pm.

Detailed content to be added once finalised.

Meeting will end Thursday, lunchtime.

Detailed content to be added once finalised.

Dr Ciarán Dunne is the first Transversal Skills Director for Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland, a unique role in higher education both nationally and internationally. He has led the design and implementation of a unique framework for the formal integration, development, assessment, and evidencing of students’ transversal skills, such as critical thinking, ethical decision-making, creative thinking, personal agility, and data literacy, within university programmes.

Ciarán is also a member of Ireland’s National Skills Council, advising the government on national skills policy, including AI upskilling. As an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, he has lectured across multiple disciplines, including sociology, social entrepreneurship, creative thinking, futures literacy, intercultural studies, and Spanish.

He has been nominated for multiple teaching awards and has received both the Distinctive Approaches to Teaching Award and the Team Award in DCU’s President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

He is passionate about creativity, and his Talking Creativity podcast explores how this innate human capability can be cultivated both individually and collectively.

Further Reading and Media:

Content to be added once finalised.