Abstract:

The Erasmus+ Programme was planned to support Programme Countries' efforts to efficiently use the potential of Europe’s talent and social resources in a lifelong learning perspective, linking support to formal, non-formal and informal learning throughout the education, training and youth areas. The Programme also highlights the opportunities for cooperation and mobility with Partner Countries, in the fields of higher education and youth.

It is the European Union programme that financially supports activities in the areas of Education, Training, Youth and Sport, and consists of three "Key Actions" (Mobility of Individuals, Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices, and Support for Policy Reform) and two additional actions (Jean Monnet Activities and Sport).

The focus of this study is the Key Action for the Mobility of Individuals. Among others, this action aims to support the mobility of learners and staff giving them opportunities to undertake a learning and/or professional experience in another country. With this action several outocomes are expected to be produced.

The evaluation of a mobility programme such as the International Credit Mobility is important. SWOT analysis is a tool of strategic planning used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that exist in this action. It is also a tool that assists in the preparation of action strategies. It is an analysis technique often applied to processes, products and companies. The four characteristics already mentioned can be divided between two environments: the internal and the external. With it, it is possible to draw an overview of the situation and define what is the best action to take. Its main application is in strategic planning, as it creates a broad view of the company/process/programme and its current situation, helping in the decision-making process.

The questions that are needed to be answered are:
(1) What are the strong sides of the programme?
(2) What are the weak sides of the programme? How can they be fixed?
(3) What are the opportunities of the programme?
(4) What are the threats of the programme?
(5) How can they be turned into opportunities?

This research will be based on the analysis of 2017 ICM final reports of HEI and the information on the Erasmus+ programme guide 2017 of the European Commission about the International Credit Mobility action. The reports have questions concerning the project implementation, setting-up of the mobilities, recognition of the mobility periods, impact and dissemination.

With this study we expect to contribute with useful information for the improvement of the new programme for the period 2021~2028.

Keywords:

Erasmus, International Credit Mobility, SWOT analysis.