Iceland: growing Erasmus+ opportunities call for stronger international cooperation in VET

Increased funding and participation

Over recent years, Erasmus+ funding for VET has grown significantly. Participation has increased among learners in technical, vocational and arts education, as well as among teaching and administrative staff. In 2025, close to 1 000 participants took part in mobility projects, an increase of nearly 70% compared to 2024. This rapid and significant growth shows the attractiveness of international experiences and the growing engagement of Icelandic VET institutions in European mobility initiatives.

Benefits and organisational challenges

Evidence shows that international activities benefit both learners and staff. Study visits, professional exchanges and training abroad support personal development, strengthen professional skills and foster the internationalisation of institutions. Such activities help learners acquire practical skills and cultural awareness, while staff can share good practices and build networks across Europe.

At the same time, rapid growth in participation brings organisational challenges. VET providers must ensure proper coordination, maintain the quality of mobility projects and manage the growing workload. Adequate planning, staff support, and institutional commitment are essential to meet these demands and to ensure that mobility activities remain effective and sustainable.

Role of international coordinators

International coordinators play a central role in managing Erasmus+ activities. The national Erasmus+ office in Iceland has in recent years taken measures to strengthen their role and improve their working conditions. Coordinators are responsible for planning mobility projects, liaising with international partners, and supporting learners and staff before, during and after mobility.

A survey among VET international coordinators, with a 93% response rate, shows that most VET providers have an internationalisation strategy in place. However, the survey also shows that the time allocated to coordination is often insufficient for the scope of responsibilities. In many cases, tasks are concentrated on a few staff members, which can lead to professional isolation. Some institutions, however, operate with dedicated teams, which allows for more collaboration and peer support. Support from school leadership is consistently identified as crucial for the success of international activities.

Strengthening cooperation

The survey also revealed strong demand for collaboration and targeted training among coordinators, particularly in relation to the implementation of Erasmus+ mobility projects. Annual networking meetings have been introduced to address this need. The most recent meeting, held on 28 August 2025, focused on peer exchange, practical challenges in daily operations and strategies to ensure quality and the smooth organisation of mobility activities for learners and staff.

Outlook

The continued increase in participation reflects positive developments in the internationalisation of Icelandic VET. Sustained investment in cooperation, capacity-building, and institutional support will be essential to maintain this momentum and to further improve the quality and impact of Erasmus+ mobility projects in the coming years.

Read more

• Erasmus+ in Iceland – The key to successful international work in vocational education and training (in Icelandic)