Impact of floods in Central Europe on implementation of the programmes
FORCE MAJEURE CLAUSE
The large-scale flooding across Central Europe may affect the implementation of ongoing Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects. Beneficiaries facing difficulties due to the floods may apply for force majeure, in line with relevant provisions of their grant agreements. They may also request the suspension of the grant or a part of it, if the circumstances related to floods, make implementation of their projects impossible of excessively difficult.
If your project is affected, please contact your Léargas project officer immediately. Requests for force majeure or suspension will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
ONGOING EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS PROJECTS
Beneficiaries of ongoing European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects affected by the disaster may request to amend their grant agreements to adjust their project activities, focusing on flood recovery and support efforts. These requests will be reviewed individually and may be approved if the changes:
- Still meet the minimum requirements of the original call for proposals;
- Do not increase the total grant amount;
- Directly aim to support flood-affected communities;
- Do not impact the original grant decision or compromise equal treatment of applicants.
Beneficiaries are responsible for ensuring participant safety. Activities in flood-affected areas may only take place there once those areas are cleared for civilian return and are not under any safety warnings from national authorities. This should be reflected in contractual clauses between beneficiaries and the participants of their projects.
Last updated on 27/09/2024
Ukraine
The ongoing war in Ukraine will affect Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps and other European programme activities in Ukraine, Russia and surrounding countries. We are directly contacting all currently affected beneficiaries.
On 16 March, EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel issued a statement on measures in support of pupils and education staff fleeing Ukraine. On 8 April, the council of the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2022/5761, which introduced restrictions on the participation of publicly funded bodies from Russia in European programmes. Commissioner Gabriel issued a further statement on how the termination of cooperation with Russian public entities affects Erasmus+. Individuals from Russia remain eligible to take part in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, with a thorough screening against the EU sanction lists to be conducted. If you have queries about these measures, please contact your Project Officer.
Beneficiary organisations whose future project plans are affected may choose to cancel, postpone, or move activities. We will facilitate realistic alternative project activities as far as possible, within the regulations of the particular programme. Project activities should only take place after a review and due consideration of the policies of all partner organisations. Organisations should undertake their own risk assessment and assume ownership of the subsequent decisions taken.
If your Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps activities involve travel to or transit through affected regions, or hosting participants from those regions, please take the following steps:
- Check the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website for travel advice
- Contact your project partners to establish if additional local advice applies
- Document all evidence of the reasons for the decision, including screenshots of the DFA travel alert
- Immediately inform the Léargas Programme Finance and Operations team at opsfin@leargas.ie that you wish to postpone or cancel travel – include your project reference number (for example, 2020-1-IE01-KA102-100100) and the details of your query
- The Programme Finance and Operations team will advise you of any additional documents or information you need to submit as a result of the postponed or cancelled activity
- If your project is funded through a different National Agency, please also contact them immediately.
If you have already had to cancel project activities and wish to apply for force majeure, download this zip file with the forms and procedure: Force Majeure Process & Forms 130320
If you want to apply for an extension to the duration of your project, follow the steps below.
- Download the Change Amendment Form for your project type:
Erasmus+ KA1
Erasmus+ KA2
European Solidarity Corps - Fill in Section A. Change to Grant Agreement Duration giving full justification for your extension request.
- Print the form and have it signed by the Legal Representative of your organisation.
- Email a scan of the signed and completed form to amendments@leargas.ie.
We will review your request for an extension and contact you for further information, if required. If your extension request is approved, you will receive a letter signed by the Léargas Executive Director. This letter will state the amended end date for your project with a reference to the relevant article of your grant agreement.
If you have general queries about travel in your Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps project, please contact our Programme Finance and Operations team at opsfin@leargas.ie. Include your project reference number (for example, 2020-1-IE01-KA102-100100) and as much detail as you can.
Last updated: 09 May 2022
COVID-19
The Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing. It’s vital that we continue to protect ourselves and each other from the spread of disease.
If you plan to travel, you must check the regulations in place for the country you are visiting.
Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Project Advice
Léargas recognise that the pandemic continues to affect planned project activities funded by Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps and other European programmes.
We will facilitate realistic alternative project activities as far as possible, while still following the regulations of the particular programme. Above all, project activities must be carried out in full adherence with the national and local regulations in place in the sending country, and in the receiving country. Project activities should only take place after a review and due consideration of the policies of all partner organisations. Organisations should undertake their own risk assessment and assume ownership of the subsequent decisions taken.
If your Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps activities involve travel to or transit through affected regions, or hosting participants from those regions, please take the following steps:
- Check the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website for travel advice
- If there is a DFA travel alert for Covid-19 in place for the region involved, travel should be postponed or cancelled
- Contact your project partners to establish if additional local restrictions are in place
- Document all evidence of the reasons for the decision, including screenshots of the DFA travel alert
- Immediately inform the Léargas Programme Finance and Operations team at opsfin@leargas.ie that you wish to postpone or cancel travel – include your project reference number (for example, 2018-1-IE01-KA102-100100) and the details of your query
- The Programme Finance and Operations team will advise you of any additional documents or information you need to submit as a result of the postponed or cancelled activity
- If your project is funded through a different National Agency, please also contact them immediately.
If you have already had to cancel project activities and wish to apply for force majeure, download this zip file with the forms and procedure:
Force Majeure Process & Forms 130320
If you want to apply for an extension to the duration of your project due to Covid-19, or if you have already been granted an extension and wish to apply for an additional extension, follow the steps below. The additional extension should be limited to what is strictly necessary and will be reviewed on a case-by-case assessment.
- Download the Change Amendment Form for your project type:
Erasmus+ KA1 & KA3
Erasmus+ KA2
European Solidarity Corps - Fill in Section A. Change to Grant Agreement Duration giving full justification for your extension request. You must outline how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected your project activities, and why the extension is necessary.
- Print the form and have it signed by the Legal Representative of your organisation.
- Email a scan of the signed and completed form to amendments@leargas.ie.
We will review your request for an extension and contact you for further information, if required. If your extension request is approved, you will receive a letter signed by the Léargas Executive Director. This letter will state the amended end date for your project with a reference to the relevant article of your grant agreement.
If you have questions about the impact of Covid-19 on your Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps project, please check this FAQ from the European Commission: Covid-19 Impact Q&A for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.
If you have general queries about travel in your Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps project, please contact our Programme Finance and Operations team at opsfin@leargas.ie. Include your project reference number (for example, 2018-1-IE01-KA102-100100) and as much detail as you can.
National and Digital Opportunities
When physically travelling to another country is not possible, there are ways to remain connected and continue learning and working internationally. Our European programmes include national and digital opportunities in youth, education and training, including volunteering in Ireland and virtual youth exchanges. Read more about these opportunities on our blog.
General Covid-19 Information and Advice
We urge all beneficiary organisations to remain up to date with, and guided by, the national advice. News is issued regularly by the Health Service Executive and relevant Government departments.
- Health Service Executive
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Department of Education
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
These posters, booklets and social media icons are helpful reminders to protect the health and safety of everyone in our community. Use and share them as much as you can!
Last updated: 16 March 2022