Virtual Exchange and Blended Mobility for Sustainability: Learning How to Design Online Cross-Disciplinary International Projects for Your Classes
This blended workshop aims to equip academic staff with the knowledge, skills and practical strategies needed to design and implement international collaborative learning projects focused on sustainability through Virtual Exchange (VE), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs).
The course combines two online sessions on 1 and 8 April 2027 with a two-day on-campus workshop at the Universidad de León, Spain, on 14 and 15 April 2027. Participants will explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for international and cross-disciplinary collaboration, examine successful Virtual Exchange initiatives, and learn how to design meaningful collaborative activities that integrate sustainability education, intercultural learning and digital tools.
Through interactive activities, interdisciplinary teamwork and peer feedback, participants will develop a project outline tailored to their teaching contexts. The training will address project planning, partnership building, learning activity design, assessment strategies, intercultural challenges and potential funding opportunities. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles to foster critical thinking, systems thinking and transformative learning.
The course is open to lecturers and researchers from all disciplines at EURECA-PRO partner universities, as well as professionals supporting internationalisation and teaching innovation. No previous experience in Virtual Exchange or Blended Mobility is required. Participants should have a good working knowledge of English (B2 level recommended) and an interest in developing international partnerships around sustainability.
The total workload is 24 hours, comprising 17 contact hours and 7 hours of independent work. Participants who attend all sessions, complete the required tasks, present a sustainability-focused VE or BIP project outline and contribute constructively to peer feedback will receive a certificate of participation for 24 hours. No ECTS credits are awarded.
The workshop seeks not only to support the development of practical, transferable teaching projects but also to establish a community of practice that encourages continued collaboration and knowledge sharing among educators committed to international cooperation and sustainability education.
1. Full name and surname.
2. Email address.
3. Institution.
4. Subject area or academic discipline.
5. Confirmation of availability: Confirmation that applicants can attend both phases of the course (online and on campus), as attendance at both is compulsory.
6. Open-ended question: Previous experience with online collaborative projects (Virtual Exchange (VE), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), or Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs)).
7. Open-ended question: Reasons for wanting to participate in the course.
8. Open-ended question: Why would their course benefit from incorporating a sustainability-focused online collaborative project?
The form should also clearly state the following information:
- Working language: The working language is English. Participants are expected to feel comfortable communicating and working with colleagues in English. A B2 level of English is recommended.
- Funding: No specific funding is available for this course. Participants are expected to use their own Erasmus+ staff mobility funding to attend the on-campus workshop in León. For further information, they should contact the Erasmus+ office at their home institution.
- EURECA-PRO Teacher Forum: The on-campus workshop will take place at the same time as the EURECA-PRO Teacher Forum. Therefore, participants cannot attend both events.