Thanks to Andi White for this opportunity to share. Yay! 

In July 2009 I was able to attend an LCCI Foundation Certificate preparation course partially funded by the GRUNDTVIG programme. In February 2010, Andi and I gave a well received presentation at the HELTA AGM. This page has been edited to summarise information from that presentation which applies particularly to applicants from Germany. However, some of the general information should be useful for anyone interested in the subject.

Named after a Danish educator who contributed significantly to the field of adult education in Europe, the GRUNDTVIG programme is part of the European Union Lifelong Learning programme. Funds are available for people working in the field of adult education in Germany--and other participating states. 

A map showing an overview of participating states can be found here:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/publ/pdf/grundtvig/mobility_en.pdf

Grant applications are accepted three times per year in mid- January, April and September for courses running from 5 days to 6 weeks throughout the year. You do not need to be European to receive a grant!!!! You need only fulfil the requirements for funding and be a legal resident in one of the participating states.

Please note, this is not an official page of the German National Agency Bildung für Europa beim BIBB. Contact information for the agency is listed below.

About GRUNDTVIG

Contact Info (updated 05.11.09):

Nationale Agentur Bildung für Europa

Robert-Schuman-Platz 3

53175 Bonn

Postanschrift: Pf 201264, 53142 Bonn

Tel. ++49(0)228-107 16 08

Website: http://na-bibb.de

Info in English available at http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc86_en.htm

About GRUNDTVIG:

Grants cover costs for course fees, accomodation, travel and living expenses up to a budgeted limit for courses done in a participating state. Details are available with the application information and can be downloaded from the website.

The topics covered include

• work with disadvantaged groups
• special ed needs
• demographic change (esp. aging population)
• volunteerism
• integration and immigration
• managment and financing in adult education from an institutional or organisational perspective
• active citizenship

Requirements:

• Choose a course that matches the general aims of the programme (LLP and Grundtvig specifically)
• It should be open for people from several European countries
• Cultural differences and variation in educational practice should be taken into account 
• It must be run by qualified personnel
• You should provide a detailed course description including preparation, teaching materials and follow on materials
• The course should offer an appropriate range of services and subjects 

Step By Step:

A word of warning at the outset: Navigating the bibb site and completing the application can be tedious. But don't despair! If I can do it, so can you (I'm a clown and highly questionable character). Keep your goal in mind and stay the course. At the very least it is an opportunity to re-examine your personal objectives and motivation. And it may be a chance to gain further experience and expertise as well as share a bit of what you know. 

• Step one- Check the most current Grundtvig guidelines on the official bibb website here: 

       http://www.na-bibb.de/grundtvig_4.html

• Step two--Download the most current application form here: 

       http://www.na-bibb.de/antragsunterlagen_197.html#1423

• Step three---Check the formal and content requirements described here to inspire yourself before you begin filling out the form:

       http://www.na-bibb.de/uploads/grundtvig_mobilitaet/f_gru_ist_formale_pruefung_2010.pdf

       http://www.na-bibb.de/uploads/grundtvig_mobilitaet/f_gru_ist_quality_assessment_2010.pdf

• Step four----Fill out the form, bearing in mind what they are looking for. Make good use of the checklist to be sure you fulfil the formal requirements. Use the quality assessment guidelines to make sure you mention the sort of things that are relevant to the Grundtvig goals. 

• Step Five: gather all the necessary documentation and let your application sit for a day or two. Return to it and read it through with fresh eyes, edit unscrupulously, putting yourself in the shoes of the assessors who must read hundreds of these things. Limit yourself to ten or fifteen lines maximum for each of your answers. Use as few words as possible, but explain clearly why you are the best candidate for the grant. Be confident, be considerate and give it your best shot. Also be sure to allow for delays as school officials may not always get back to you in time.

• Step six: send in application on time with all the necessary documents. Check the checklist!!! Begin immediately to apply for visas etc. if needed. The UK recently amended the requirements for visas for educational programmes such as these and the bureaucracy can be gruelling. Wait and pray, but also begin your preparation, read recommended material, work on refinig your personal objectives/ goals/ targets for professional and personal development. It can be a very fruitful period, evn if you don't actually get the grant and go on the course.

Clown Tips:

1. You will need to send course confirmation with your application. Pilgrims immediately confirmed provisional acceptance pending completion (and positive outcome) of the Grundtvig application without demanding a fee for cancellation in the event of an unsuccessful application.
2. Courses which are already listed on the LLP website may prove more successful. Priority is given to courses which were developed in accordance with their own programme. 
3. Tweak your information to make it relevant from the point of view of the assessor. Be specific and clear. For example, I mentioned an intention to put up a report on the web afterwards and do information sessions (complete with dates, times and venue) which I arranged with my contractors prior to completing my application. Things like the HELTA presentation  are positive points for your application.
4. Use their language. Read through their website to get a feeling for Grundtvig-speak, quote some of their phrases, integrate them in your arguments/ statements--subtly!!
5. Really want this thing and give your best to get it. I reached a level of inspiration while going through the application process that was nothing less than divine. Honestly, I felt the rightness of it and used some of the success techniques that fail abyssmally in other contexts but worked beautifully here because it was such a specific SMART goal that was totally right for me. And I poured the essence of that into every step of the application. More details available if anyone's interested. Good luck to you!! 

Tasks You'd Like Me To Work On:

• Interested in collaboration and exchange 
• Interested in learning more about other training and funding opportunities 
• Clown in the Classroom project
• Several books, if I ever write them--Ha! 
• Please contact Andi for the chance to share your information here, too.