I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University is a partner of the Innovative Rehabilitation Education Project – Introduction of new master degree programs in Ukraine; (Grant Agreement Number -2018-2963/001-001; Project number: 598938-EPP-1-2018-1-LV-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) within the framework of the European Union programme Erasmus+ Capacity–Building projects in the field of Higher Education

ERASMUS+ is a EU program supporting projects of cooperation, partnerships, activities and mobility in the fields of academic and vocational training, youth and sport. Together with over 150 countries, Ukraine is one of the Erasmus+ Partner Countries (Programme Countries). 28 EU States are the Member Countries (Partner Countries) of the Programme as well as the Economic Union countries: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein; candidate countries: Turkey, Macedonia and Serbia (as of 2018).

Erasmus + is an EU program in the fields of academic and vocational training, youth and sport. It can significantly contribute to acceleration of socio-economic changes, to resolution of pressing problems that Europe faces by the end of this decade as well as to implementation of a Europe 2020 strategy aimed at equality, increasing employment and social integration. Struggle against high levels of unemployment, especially among young people, is one of the top priorities for European governments. Too many young people leave school prematurely and are at high risk of unemployment and social exclusion. Many low-skilled adult workers also face the same risk. Technologies change the way the society functions and there is a need to ensure the more effective their use.

The EU companies should be more competitive in relation to young talents and innovations. Europe needs more cohesive and integrated societies that allow citizens to be more active in democratic life. Academic and vocational training, youth and sport are crucial for promotion of common European values, acceleration of social integration, enhancement of intercultural understanding and a sense of belonging to the community as well as prevention of violent radicalization. Another challenge is the development of social capital among young people, the empowerment of young people and their ability to take an active part in society according to the Lisbon Treaty “…encouraging the participation of young people in democratic life in Europe”. This objective can also be a goal of non-formal learning aimed at development of skills and competences of young people as well as their active citizenship. In addition, there is a need to provide youth organizations and youth workers with the appropriate training and cooperation opportunities to help develop their professionalism and European dimension of youth activities. Productive youth policies for academic and vocational training would provide people with the skills and competences required by the labour market and economy that allows them being significant in society and achieve personal self-fulfilment. Reforms in academic and vocational training as well as youth affairs enhance progress towards these goals by a shared idea between politicians and concerned parties, credible data and cooperation in various fields and at all levels. The Erasmus+ programme supports the efforts of the programme member countries to use the potential of talented people from Europe and social capital effectively, reaffirming the principle of lifelong learning by combining support and formal, informal and non-formal learning in the academic and vocational training and development of young people. The programme also provides opportunities for mobility and cooperation with partner countries, in particular in higher education and youth. According to the Lisbon Treaty, Erasmus+ also supports affairs aimed at development of a European dimension in sport by encouraging cooperation between the authorities for sport.