The Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) is a key document that sets out the fundamental principles and requirements for higher education institutions (HEIs) to participate in the Erasmus+ program for the 2021-2027 period. Here's an overview of the main aspects of the ECHE:
1. Objectives and Principles
- Promote the modernization, internationalization, and digital transformation of higher education.
- Ensure high-quality mobility and cooperation activities.
- Promote the inclusion of people with fewer opportunities.
- Implement the European Student Card Initiative.
- Promote environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices.
2. Fundamental Principles
- Respect the principles of non-discrimination, transparency, and inclusion.
- Ensure full automatic recognition of all credits gained for learning outcomes satisfactorily achieved.
- Charge no fees to incoming mobile participants for tuition, registration, examinations, or access to laboratory and library facilities.
- Ensure the quality of the mobility activities and of the cooperation projects throughout the application and implementation phases.
3. ECHE Commitments
- Publish and regularly update the course catalogue on the institution's website.
- Ensure full automatic recognition of all credits gained for learning outcomes satisfactorily achieved during a period of study/training abroad.
- Provide incoming mobile participants and their home institutions with a transcript of records at the end of their period of study/training.
- Charge no fees to incoming mobile students for tuition, registration, examinations, or access to laboratory and library facilities.
- Ensure the quality of the mobility activities and of the cooperation projects throughout the application and implementation phases.
- Implement the European Student Card Initiative.
- Promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behavior among their mobile participants.
- Promote civic engagement and encourage students and staff to get involved as active citizens before, during, and after their participation in a mobility or project.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
- HEIs must monitor and evaluate their progress in fulfilling the ECHE commitments.
- The European Commission may conduct monitoring visits and take appropriate measures in case of non-compliance.
5. Application and Selection Process
- HEIs must apply for the ECHE to participate in the Erasmus+ program.
- The application is submitted to the National Erasmus+ Agency in the country where the HEI is located.
- The ECHE is valid for the entire duration of the Erasmus+ program (2021-2027).
6. Useful Resources
- The European Commission's ECHE webpage: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/documents/erasmu…
- The ECHE Guidelines: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/documents/erasmu…
The ECHE is a crucial document that ensures the quality and consistency of the Erasmus+ program across European higher education institutions. It serves as a framework for HEIs to provide high-quality mobility and cooperation activities for students and staff.