The 4 red flags that sink Erasmus+ applications before review
Most Erasmus+ applications that fail don't fail at the assessor's desk. They fail before the assessor reads them — at the eligibility check, or in the first paragraph that sets the tone for the rest. Four red flags do most of the damage.
Red flag 1: No named partner at submission
If your application says "we will identify a partner once funded", you're done. Erasmus+ is a partnership scheme. At submission you need at least one named overseas organisation with a defined role, even if every detail isn't pinned down.
Red flag 2: Generic learning outcomes
Outcomes that could be achieved without travelling abroad are the second-fastest way to lose marks. "Pupils will appreciate other cultures" doesn't need a flight. "Pupils will be able to compare two specific approaches to X" — and only because they've seen the other approach in person — does.
Red flag 3: Safeguarding policy that doesn't mention overseas activity
Assessors check. If your safeguarding policy is silent on international activity, the assumption is that you haven't thought it through. The fix is usually a one-page appendix added to your existing policy — but it has to exist before submission, not after.
Red flag 4: One person carrying the whole project
If the bid only names a project lead with no deputy and no governance line, assessors flag it as a delivery risk. The fix is straightforward: name a deputy, name the senior sponsor, and name how the work fits into governance.
These are the four big ones. The full Eligibility Guide goes deeper — including the rest of the red-flag list and what to do if your draft is currently failing on one of them. Download it below or book a discovery call and we'll do a quick eligibility check live with you.