Designing an Erasmus+ activity that actually scores well
Theme attracts attention. Activity design wins funding. The single biggest lever you have over your Erasmus+ score is how clearly you describe what participants will actually do — before, during, and after the mobility.
Pre-mobility, mobility, post-mobility
Strong bids structure the activity as a programme, not a trip. Pre-mobility briefing and preparation. The mobility itself, day-by-day. Post-mobility follow-up and evaluation. Each of those phases has named owners on both sides — yours and your partner's.
Bids that describe only the in-country week and skip the wraparound activity score visibly lower. Assessors are looking for the learning loop, not just the visit.
"Can do" learning outcomes
Outcomes phrased as "will appreciate", "will gain awareness of" or "will be exposed to" don't score. Outcomes phrased as "will be able to do X", with X being something specific and demonstrable, do.
A useful test: could you write a one-line assessment task for this outcome? If yes, the outcome is concrete enough.
Selection that's documented and fair
Assessors quietly check whether your selection process for participants is documented and equitable — particularly when the activity targets young people. A two-paragraph selection rubric attached to the bid handles this.
Inclusion that's specific, not aspirational
Inclusion measures need to be concrete: who is being included, how is the additional support funded (inclusion top-up), what does it look like in practice. Generic statements about "welcoming all participants" don't move the needle.
The Bid Checklist below has the full design section: 14 items across activity design, partnerships, safeguarding and budget. Download it as your final pre-submission pass.