Communication and dissemination in Erasmus+ projects: How to make your project visible
An Erasmus+ project is only truly successful if its results are utilised in the long term. With a targeted communication strategy, you can ensure that your project remains visible, reaches relevant target groups, and has a lasting impact beyond the funding period.
Why are communication and dissemination crucial?
The European Commission requires targeted dissemination of results to ensure that Erasmus+ projects continue to have an impact after funding ends. Strategic dissemination ensures that your developed content benefits other educational institutions, decision-makers, and interested parties — not just the project consortium.
Through well-planned dissemination, successful methods can be passed on, the visibility of participating organisations strengthened, and new opportunities for cooperation created. In the long term, this contributes to the innovative strength and further development of the European Education Area.
Communication, dissemination, and exploitation — what is the difference?
The European Commission distinguishes between three related but distinct concepts. Understanding the difference matters for your application, because evaluators check that you address all three:
Define target groups and communication channels
To disseminate your results effectively, you first need to identify who can benefit from them and how best to reach each group. Different audiences require fundamentally different approaches:
- ✓Specialist audiences (academics, educational institutions) — reached through journal articles, conferences, and professional networks
- ✓Policymakers — need concise reports with clear, actionable recommendations
- ✓Practitioners (teachers, trainers, youth workers) — reached through webinars, practical toolkits, and sector networks
- ✓Media and general public — reached through social media, press releases, and interviews
Develop a dissemination strategy
An effective dissemination strategy defines which target groups are to be reached, when, and through which channels. It also specifies key messages and clear criteria for evaluating success.
- →Start planning in the application phase — evaluators expect a concrete dissemination plan, not a vague intention
- →Build the strategy into your work packages with specific deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities
- →Keep it flexible — adapt as the project develops and as you learn what works
- →Plan for post-project: who will maintain the website, manage materials, and follow up with stakeholders after funding ends?
Practical implementation
Successful dissemination requires a targeted combination of methods. A project website serves as the central platform where interested parties can find all relevant information and materials.
Digital channels
- ✓Erasmus+ Project Results Platform — mandatory for all KA2 projects, and regularly searched by other practitioners
- ✓LinkedIn and sector-specific networks — to reach a professional audience in your field
- ✓Open access platforms (Zenodo, ResearchGate) — for long-term availability of research outputs and learning materials
- ✓Social media — not just for updates, but for targeted campaigns: Q&A sessions, thematic deep-dives, partner spotlights
Offline and event-based channels
- ✓Multiplier events — workshops or seminars that directly train or inform practitioners in using your results
- ✓Conferences and sector events — for peer dissemination and networking with potential follow-on partners
- ✓Press releases to relevant local and specialist media — for public visibility and organisational profile
- ✓Printed materials (brochures, factsheets) — for audiences with lower digital engagement
Measure success and ensure sustainability
Define how you will evaluate dissemination effectiveness from the planning phase onwards — not after the fact.
Quantitative indicators
- ✓Number of educational institutions reached through multiplier events
- ✓Downloads and views of project outputs on the results platform and open access repositories
- ✓Social media reach and engagement (not just followers — shares and comments signal genuine interest)
Qualitative indicators
- ✓Stakeholder feedback — what concrete changes has the project triggered?
- ✓Long-term use — how often are developed materials still used six or twelve months after project end?
- ✓Network formation — how many new collaborations or follow-up projects have emerged from your dissemination activities?
To ensure long-term sustainability, project results should be integrated into existing structures: included in curricula, hosted on permanent open-access platforms, or adopted by partner institutions as part of their standard practice.
Conclusion
A targeted communication and dissemination strategy ensures that your Erasmus+ project has an impact beyond the funding period. Three questions are at the core:
- →Who will benefit from the results — and how do you reach them?
- →Which channels are most effective for each target group?
- →How will your project remain visible and useful after funding ends?
By taking a strategic approach from the application stage onwards, you ensure that your project results are not only publicised during the project period — but genuinely used, adopted, and built upon long after it closes.
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