Leonardo da Vinci II (2000 - 2006).

Leonardo da Vinci II is the European Community's Vocational Training Programme 2000 - 2006. It assists implementation of an EC vocational training policy supporting Article 150 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. The Council adopted a 2nd programme phase for 2000 to 2006 by Decision 1999/382/EC. Its aim is to promote new approaches in vocational training (VET) policies. The 1st and 2nd Calls for Leonardo Proposals were from 2000 to 2004.

A 3rd Call for Proposals now covers 2005 & 2006 and was published in April 2004. Each Proposal Call invites organisations to apply for funding to develop new forms of vocational training & to increase European mobility with European partners.

Key Leonardo da Vinci II Features

Leonardo's focus is on innovation & transnational co-operation. The programme strongly reflects the Lisbon Agenda (2000) and the goals of the Copenhagen Declaration (2002).
Leonardo has a seven-year budget of Euro 1.150 Billion.
31 European Countries can participate.
Leonardo has different project types ("measures").
Apply by
30/09/05 (Multi-National Development Projects) &
10/2/06 (Mobility Projects)

Leonardo da Vinci II Objectives:

Objective 1: To improve the skills and competences of people, especially young people, in initial vocational training at all levels, to facilitate their integration and reintegration into the labour market;
Objective 2: To improve the quality of, and access to, continuing vocational training and the lifelong acquisition of skills and competences;
Objective 3: To promote and reinforce the contribution of vocational training to the process of innovation, improve competitiveness and entrepreneurship, and meet new employment possibilities.

What are the Priorities?
All Leonardo applications (except 'Thematic Action' pilot projects) must address one and only one of the following priorities during the 2005 to 2006 period:

Priority 1: Promoting Transparency of Qualifications
Projects responding to this priority could develop new measures/instruments to facilitate comparison of qualifications and competences (taking into account formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts); develop sectoral transparency instruments/services or facilitate sectoral networks, centres of excellence to facilitate exchanges of experiences/practices.

Priority 2: Developing the Quality of VET systems and practices
Under this priority, particular emphasis should be given to quality assurance and development in VET, in order to help Member States to progressively increase the transparency, effectiveness and consistency of their actions in this field. Projects should focus on the implementation and fine-tuning of the Common Quality Assurance Framework agreed by the Technical Working Group on Quality in VET (Copenhagen process).

Priority 3: Developing Relevant and Innovative e-Learning Content
Projects responding to this priority should focus on ICT-supported learning (combining ICT based learning with other more traditional modes); appropriate training/learning materials (particularly aimed at less qualified workers) and developing training tools for Quality Management in VET.

Priority 4: Continuous Training of Teachers and Trainers
Projects under this priority should contribute to the development of ongoing training to ensure that teachers/trainers can respond to new challenges presented by developments in pedagogy and consequent changes in traditional roles of this target group.

Impact of the Copenhagen Declaration

The Copenhagen Declaration, issued in 2002, strengthens previous European Commission stances on Europe's transition to a knowledge based economy and EU enlargement. The Declaration calls for increased VET cooperation among the member states, EFTA/EEA countries and social partners to facilitate labour mobility and access to lifelong learning. The Declaration prioritises a single framework for qualifications & competences, common VET quality criteria, common validation principles for informal and non-formal learning, and lifelong guidance. Leonardo da Vinci programme priorities for projects commencing in 2005 and 2006 directly respond to the new policy framework set by the Copenhagen Declaration.

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