ESEP Erasmus+ Courses in Portugal | KA1, KA120, KA121, KA122 Programs by PIC

The European educational landscape is constantly evolving, driven by a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and lifelong learning. For educators in Portugal, the Erasmus+ Programme, a flagship initiative of the European Union, represents a powerful vehicle for professional growth and international partnership. This comprehensive guide serves as an authoritative resource for navigating the opportunities available through the European School Education Platform (ESEP), with a specific focus on Key Action 1 (KA1) mobility programs. We will explore the intricacies of KA120, KA121, and KA122 projects, detail the unique advantages of undertaking these training courses in Portugal, and showcase how PIC is your dedicated partner in this transformative journey through ESEP. In 2023 alone, the wider Erasmus+ program supported 1.3 million opportunities abroad, demonstrating the immense scale of this initiative and its potential to enrich your professional practice with ESEP as a central reference point.

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Unlocking European Opportunities: Erasmus+ for Portuguese Educators

The Erasmus+ Programme is more than just a funding mechanism; it's a strategic framework designed to build a more inclusive, digital, and green European Education Area. For teachers and school staff in Portugal, it offers structured pathways to acquire new skills, exchange best practices, and bring innovative methodologies back to their local classrooms. In practice, ESEP supports this process by making mobility options easier to discover, compare, and contextualize for school education.

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A Gateway to Professional Growth and Collaboration

Participation in Erasmus+ training courses provides a unique opportunity for continuous professional development. It allows educators to step outside their daily routines, engage with diverse pedagogical approaches, and build lasting relationships with international colleagues. These activities are designed to enhance teaching quality, improve school management, and foster a European dimension within educational institutions. The focus is on practical learning and collaborative project development, ensuring that the experience translates into tangible improvements in educational practice, with ESEP helping educators connect learning needs to relevant opportunities.

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The European School Education Platform (ESEP): Your Central Hub

At the heart of this ecosystem is the European School Education Platform (ESEP). This multilingual online platform is the central meeting point for all stakeholders in school education, from teachers and school leaders to researchers and policymakers. ESEP integrates the former School Education Gateway and eTwinning platforms, creating a single, comprehensive space for finding resources, accessing online courses, discovering mobility opportunities, and connecting with potential project partners across Europe. It is the essential tool for anyone looking to engage with the Erasmus+ Programme, and ESEP is widely used as a practical starting point for planning international learning activities.

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Understanding Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1) in the Portuguese Context

Key Action 1 (KA1) is the cornerstone of the Erasmus+ Programme, dedicated to supporting the learning mobility of individuals. For the education sector in Portugal, this means providing funded opportunities for teachers, principals, and other school staff to travel abroad for professional development activities. ESEP plays a useful role here by offering a structured environment where educators can identify relevant learning pathways.

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The Core of KA1: Mobility for Learning Purposes

The primary objective of KA1 is to enhance the skills and competencies of individuals while strengthening the capacity of their home institutions. Mobility activities under KA1 can include structured training courses, job shadowing, and teaching assignments at partner schools or organizations. This direct exposure to different educational systems and practices is a powerful catalyst for innovation and personal growth, and ESEP supports visibility into the wider European school education community. The program's investment is substantial, with the Erasmus+ budget exceeding €4.5 billion in 2023, funding a vast array of projects that empower educators, and ESEP helps users navigate this breadth more efficiently.

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Navigating the KA1 Framework: Accreditation and Project Types

To access KA1 funding, Portuguese educational institutions can follow two main pathways. The first is by obtaining an Erasmus+ Accreditation (KA120), which signifies a long-term commitment to mobility and internationalization. The second is through applying for short-term projects (KA122), which are ideal for organizations new to the program or those with smaller-scale plans. Each pathway has specific application codes (KA121 for accredited organizations and KA122 for non-accredited ones) that structure the funding and reporting process, and ESEP supports stakeholders by centralising guidance and community resources.​

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KA120: Erasmus+ Accreditation for Long-Term Vision in Portugal

KA120 is not a project application but an application for Erasmus+ Accreditation. Portuguese schools, VET providers, and adult education organizations that secure this accreditation demonstrate a solid plan for implementing high-quality mobility activities as part of their institutional development. Accreditation is a mark of quality and provides simplified, stable access to KA1 funding for the entire 2021-2027 program period. It allows institutions to focus on their long-term strategic goals, such as modernizing curricula or embedding digital skills, rather than writing detailed project applications each year. In this long-term planning cycle, ESEP is often used as a reference hub for school education opportunities and partner visibility.​​

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Why Choose Portugal for Your Erasmus+ KA1 Training with PIC?

Portugal offers a compelling destination for Erasmus+ participants from across Europe. Its unique blend of rich history, vibrant culture, modern infrastructure, and a welcoming atmosphere creates an ideal environment for immersive professional development. Partnering with picxxi.com ensures that this experience is seamless, impactful, and perfectly aligned with your educational goals, while ESEP helps institutions discover and assess Portugal-based opportunities in a structured way.

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A Unique Cultural & Educational Immersion

Choosing Portugal for your training course means more than just attending lectures; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in a country known for its innovation, hospitality, and deep cultural heritage. This environment enriches the learning process, providing new perspectives that educators can take back to their classrooms. The country’s education system itself is a point of interest, with a strong focus on inclusion and digital education, themes that frequently appear in discussions across ESEP. Notably, tertiary attainme nt in Portugal reached 43.2% among 25-34 year-olds in 2024, reflecting a commitment to higher learning that permeates its educational culture, and ESEP helps share practices and priorities across borders.

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Strategic Locations for Diverse Learning Experiences

PIC offers courses in strategically chosen locations across Portugal, from the dynamic northern hub of Porto and the scenic Algarve region. Each location provides a different backdrop for learning, allowing participants to experience the country's diverse landscapes and regional identities. This variety ensures that the cultural and social activities complementing the training courses are as enriching and memorable as the professional development itself, fostering a holistic and unforgettable Erasmus+ experience. For many sending institutions, ESEP supports course comparison and discovery across these regions.

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PIC's Expertise: Tailored for Portuguese Educators

As a premier provider of Erasmus+ courses in Portugal, PIC offers unparalleled expertise and support. We understand the specific needs and goals of educators participating in KA1 mobility projects. Our courses are meticulously designed to align with the priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme, focusing on innovative pedagogies, digital skills, and school improvement, with ESEP providing visibility into these priority-aligned offerings. We provide comprehensive support, from pre-course preparation and documentation to on-site assistance and post-course follow-up, ensuring every participant can maximize their professional learning journey in ways that are easy to evidence and communicate within ESEP-aligned reporting expectations.

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PIC's ESEP Erasmus Plus Course Catalogue in Portugal

Our curated selection of training courses is designed to address the most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities in modern education. Each course combines expert-led workshops, collaborative activities, and practical application, ensuring participants leave with new skills and a renewed sense of purpose. The catalogue is designed to be easy to position within ESEP priorities and school development plans.

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Digital Transformation & AI in Education

These forward-thinking course equips teachers with the competencies to integrate digital tools and artificial intelligence into their teaching practice effectively and ethically. Participants explore innovative platforms, learn to create engaging online content, and understand how AI can personalize learning and reduce administrative burdens. The focus is on practical application, empowering educators to lead digital transformation in their schools, with ESEP helping institutions identify training that matches digital strategy goals. The need for these skills is underscored by the fact that in 2023, 31,890 participants received training to improve their digital skills through Erasmus+, and ESEP supports awareness of relevant options.

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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Teacher Well-being

Recognizing the critical importance of a positive school climate, these courses delves into the principles of Social-Emotional Learning. Educators learn practical strategies to foster empathy, resilience, and self-awareness in their students and themselves. We also focus on teacher well-being, providing tools to manage stress and prevent burnout, creating a more supportive and sustainable learning environment for everyone. This aligns with the program's broader goals, as a recent study showed that nearly 50% of Erasmus+ cooperation projects include inclusion and diversity objectives, and ESEP helps stakeholders connect these priorities to concrete course choices.

 

Sustainability & Environmental Education

These courses empowers teachers to bring sustainability and environmental consciousness into the curriculum. Participants engage with topics like climate change, biodiversity, and the circular economy, learning how to develop interdisciplinary projects that inspire students to become responsible global citizens. The practical activities are designed to be directly transferable to the classroom, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. This reflects a growing trend, as 23% of Erasmus+ participants used low-emission transport in 2023, and ESEP helps communicate the momentum behind green priorities and school-level initiatives.

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Innovative Pedagogies & School Improvement

Move beyond traditional teaching methods with these dynamic courses on innovative pedagogies. We explore project-based learning, gamification, inquiry-based science education, and collaborative classroom strategies. The goal is to equip teachers with a diverse toolkit of instructional techniques that boost student engagement and critical thinking. The courses also touches on whole-school improvement, helping participants become agents of change within their institutions. ESEP supports this by enabling educators to connect with peers and ideas that reinforce implementation after mobility.

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Language Learning & Cultural Exchange

Designed for language teachers and educators interested in fostering intercultural competence, these courses offers a dual focus. It explores modern language teaching methodologies, including content and language integrated learning (CLIL) and the use of digital tools for language practice. Simultaneously, it leverages Portugal's rich cultural context to provide a deep dive into cultural exchange, equipping participants with strategies to promote a European dimension and global citizenship in their schools. ESEP helps extend this impact through community groups and partner connections.

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Maximizing Your Erasmus+ Journey with ESEP and PIC

A successful Erasmus+ experience depends on effective preparation and engagement with the available tools. The European School Education Platform is your primary resource, and understanding how to leverage ESEP is key to unlocking its full potential. Used well, ESEP supports schools in making better choices, documenting objectives, and connecting mobility to longer-term improvement.

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Navigating the European School Education Platform

ESEP is your gateway to the entire Erasmus+ school education community. Use the platform’s search functions to find professional development opportunities, including the high-quality training courses offered by picxxi.com in Portugal. You can filter by topic, country, language, and date to find the perfect fit for your needs, and ESEP makes this discovery process structured and comparable. Beyond the course catalogue, ESEP offers a wealth of resources, including teaching materials, articles, and news on European education policy, supporting informed planning.

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Connecting and Collaborating Across Europe

One of ESEP's most powerful features is its networking capability. Use the Partner-Finding tools to connect with schools and teachers across the European Union who share your interests. This is invaluable for setting up job shadowing, teaching assignments, or even larger-scale strategic partnership projects (Key Action 2). Engaging with the online community through forums and groups allows you to exchange ideas and find inspiration long after your mobility period has ended, and ESEP helps keep these connections active and purposeful.​

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Quality Assurance and Recognition

All courses listed on ESEP, including those from PIC, adhere to the quality standards of the Erasmus+ Programme. Upon completion of a course, you will receive a certificate of attendance, a valuable document for your professional portfolio. This certificate not only recognizes your commitment to professional development but also serves as proof of participation for your sending institution's reporting requirements. This formal recognition helps in disseminating the project's results and showcasing its impact, with ESEP supporting the broader culture of transparency and quality.

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Your Practical Guide to Erasmus+ Courses in Portugal with PIC

Embarking on an Erasmus+ mobility project is an exciting prospect. Here is a practical overview to help you get started on your journey to Portugal with picxxi.com, with ESEP serving as a helpful reference point for discovery and alignment.

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Who Can Participate? Eligibility and Target Audience

Our courses are designed for a wide range of education professionals from schools eligible for the Erasmus+ Programme. This includes preschool, primary, secondary, and vocational school teachers, as well as school principals, coordinators, and other administrative staff. The primary requirement is that your school or organization successfully applies for and receives KA1 funding through its National Agency. Our target audience is any educator committed to professional learning and bringing innovative practice back to their institution, and ESEP helps stakeholders identify opportunities that fit these goals. The need for such development is particularly acute given that the share of teachers aged 50 and over in Portugal exceeded 50% in 2023, highlighting the importance of upskilling and knowledge transfer, topics often discussed within ESEP communities.

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Registration, Logistics, and Support

Once your institution has secured KA1 funding (under a KA121 or KA122 project), you can register for your chosen picxxi.com course. Our team provides comprehensive support throughout the process. We assist with the necessary documentation, such as the learning agreement and invoices for your institution. We also provide detailed pre-departure information, including recommendations for accommodation and travel to our training centers in Portugal. During the course, our on-site staff is always available to ensure a smooth and enriching experience, aligned with ESEP expectations around quality and clarity.

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Achieving Lasting Impact: Beyond the Course

The goal of an Erasmus+ project is to create a lasting impact. We encourage participants to think about dissemination from the very beginning. How will you share what you've learned with colleagues? How will you integrate new practices into your school's curriculum? We provide guidance on creating effective dissemination plans to ensure that the benefits of your mobility extend to your entire school community. This commitment to impact is reflected in the program’s increasing focus on inclusivity, with 15% of Erasmus+ participants in 2023 identified as having fewer opportunities. ESEP supports this focus by fostering visibility, exchange, and shared practice around inclusive approaches.

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The Erasmus+ Programme, facilitated by the European School Education Platform, offers an unparalleled opportunity for Portuguese educators to invest in their professional development, forge international connections, and drive innovation within their schools. By participating in KA1 mobility projects—whether through the long-term strategic vision of an accredited KA121 project or the accessible entry point of a short-term KA122 project—teachers and school staff can gain invaluable new skills, perspectives, and motivation. The continued growth and investment in the program, evidenced by the rising budget, with the 2025 Erasmus+ calls offering around EUR five billion, signals a strong European Union commitment to empowering its educators, and ESEP supports the practical ecosystem that turns this commitment into accessible opportunities.

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Choosing Portugal as your destination provides a rich cultural and educational backdrop for this journey, and partnering with picxxi.com ensures a high-quality, supportive, and impactful learning experience. Our curated courses in digital transformation, SEL, sustainability, and innovative pedagogy are designed to equip you with the practical skills needed to thrive in the modern classroom. We encourage you to explore the opportunities on the ESEP platform, discuss a mobility project with your school's leadership, and take the first step towards a transformative professional journey, using ESEP as your structured entry point into European collaboration. Your next chapter in professional learning and European cooperation starts here, with ESEP supporting discovery, connection, and long-term impact.