KA121 or KA122? Choosing the Right Erasmus+ Mobility Route
Accredited projects and short-term projects both fund KA1 mobility, but they suit different organisations. Here is how to tell which one is yours.
Schools, VET providers and adult education organisations can fund mobility under Erasmus+ Key Action 1 in two main ways: as an accredited organisation (KA121) or through short-term projects (KA122). Both pay for the same kinds of activity. The difference is how you apply and how far ahead you can plan.
KA121: accredited projects
An Erasmus accreditation is a long-term recognition that your organisation has a plan for using mobility to improve its teaching and training. You apply once with an Erasmus Plan that sets out your objectives. Once accredited, you request funding each year through a simplified application, without writing a full project proposal every time.
KA121 suits organisations that:
- want to send learners or staff abroad every year;
- see mobility as part of a longer development strategy;
- have the internal capacity to manage a regular flow of participants.
KA122: short-term projects
Short-term projects are designed as an easier entry point. You do not need an accreditation. Instead, you apply for a single project with a limited number of activities and participants and a fixed duration. The format is simpler, but each project is a separate application, and there are limits on how often an organisation can use this route.
KA122 suits organisations that:
- are new to Erasmus+ and want to try mobility before committing to a long-term plan;
- need funding for a single, well-defined group;
- are not yet ready to write an Erasmus Plan.
Side-by-side
| KA121 (accredited) | KA122 (short-term) | |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation needed | Yes | No |
| Application | Simplified yearly request | Full project application each time |
| Best for | Regular, strategic mobility | First or occasional projects |
| Planning horizon | Several years | One project |
Participant limits, project duration and the number of times an organisation can apply for short-term projects are set in each year’s Erasmus+ Programme Guide. Check the current guide and talk to your National Agency before you decide.
Does the route change the mobility itself?
Not much. Whether your group travels under KA121 or KA122, a well-run mobility looks the same on the ground: clear learning outcomes, a structured programme, good accommodation and a coordinator who is there when needed. We host groups under both routes and adapt the documentation to your project.
Our advice
If you already know you want mobility every year, invest the time in accreditation. If you are testing the waters, start with a short-term project, learn from it and then decide. Either way, we are happy to talk it through and share what has worked for other partners.
