Erasmus+ KA2: Which countries can participate — and which combinations work best?
International cooperation is at the heart of Erasmus+ KA2. But not all countries can participate without restriction, and not every combination of countries makes strategic sense. This article explains which countries are eligible for funding, and how to find partners whose expertise genuinely complements your project.
Why the right choice of country is crucial
The choice of partner countries has a significant impact on the success of your KA2 project. Well-coordinated international cooperation enables you to exchange knowledge and make targeted use of resources and expertise. However, many applicants make the mistake of only selecting partners from existing networks instead of strategically considering which countries are best suited to their project objectives.
Different funding conditions also apply to different groups of countries — these must be factored in when preparing your application.
Which countries participate in Erasmus+ KA2?
Erasmus+ distinguishes between three categories of countries:
| Category | Countries | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Programme countries | All EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey | Fully eligible — can participate in all KA2 project types as coordinator or partner |
| Partner countries | Countries outside the EU (e.g. countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, Mediterranean region) | Limited participation — eligible for certain project types only, under specific conditions |
| Third countries | All other countries not covered above | Generally not eligible for KA2 cooperation partnerships |
Fictitious examples of successful country combinations
The following examples illustrate how strategic country selection can contribute to the success of a KA2 project.
Example 1
Digital innovation in education: Germany — Finland — Spain
Example 2
Sustainable education: France — Portugal — Norway
Example 3
Inclusion in VET: Italy — Greece — Tunisia (partner country)
How to find the right countries and organisations
Choosing the right partners is crucial to the success of your application. Ideal partners have experience in international education projects and complement the consortium's specialist focus areas.
Define your project goals and expertise needs
Think about the main focus of your project and what kind of expertise is required. Do you need partners with experience in digital education, sustainable development, or vocational training? Be specific — the more precise your requirements, the better the partner fit.
Identify countries with relevant strengths
Research which countries have particular strengths in your subject area. Finland and Estonia are leaders in digital education; Germany and Austria in vocational training; Portugal and the Netherlands have innovative approaches to sustainability. Match thematic priorities to country expertise.
Use existing networks and contacts
Use existing contacts, previous Erasmus+ projects, or recommendations from National Agencies and partner organisations. European education networks, sector-specific associations, and Erasmus+ alumni networks are all valuable starting points.
Use platforms to find partners
- →Erasmus+ Project Results Platform — search funded projects to find active organisations in your field
- →National Agency partner-search databases — most national agencies maintain searchable registries
- →Sector networks (e.g. EfVET for vocational training, EUCIS-LLL for lifelong learning) — direct access to experienced organisations
Hold initial talks and clarify expectations early
Contact potential partners well before the deadline to clarify whether they are a good fit in terms of content, organisation, and capacity. A clear allocation of roles and shared goals are essential. Do not commit partners to a consortium without a genuine conversation about workload and responsibilities.
Conclusion
A successful Erasmus+ KA2 project stands and falls with the right choice of partner. While programme countries are eligible without restriction, partner countries can offer valuable additional perspectives — but require careful integration into the consortium structure.
Choosing your partner countries carefully not only improves your chances of approval; it also ensures sustainable and effective international cooperation. Combining thematic priorities with the right country expertise and using targeted network searches lays the foundation for a convincing KA2 application.
Try it yourself
Generate your complete application draft for free and see how these principles work in practice.
Generate my draft →