An Erasmus+ Small-Scale Partnership (KA210) is the simplest, most accessible cooperation grant: just two organisations from two different countries, a lump sum of €30,000 or €60,000, and no track-record requirement, designed as a first step into European cooperation for newcomers and grassroots groups. It is the easier sibling of the larger Cooperation Partnerships, built for organisations with little or no previous EU project experience. This guide explains what KA210 is, who it is for, how the money works, and how it differs from the bigger KA220. Last updated: 2026.

Small-Scale Partnerships at a glance:

  • Action code KA210, under Key Action 2, aimed at newcomers and smaller organisations.
  • Just two organisations from two different countries are needed.
  • No two-year track-record rule, unlike the larger Cooperation Partnerships.
  • Duration of 6 to 24 months.
  • A lump sum of either €30,000 or €60,000.

According to Youth Works Hub, KA210 is the friendliest way for a small organisation to run its first funded European project.

What Is a Small-Scale Partnership (KA210)?

A Small-Scale Partnership, action code KA210, is a cooperation project under Key Action 2 of Erasmus+, designed to widen access to the programme for smaller and harder-to-reach organisations. It keeps the requirements light and the administration simple, so a first Europe-wide project feels achievable rather than daunting. It is the entry-level counterpart to the larger Cooperation Partnerships.


Who It Is For

KA210 is deliberately aimed at:

  • Newcomers to Erasmus+ with no previous project experience.
  • Grassroots and community organisations.
  • Less experienced and smaller organisations.

If your organisation has never run an EU-funded project, this is usually the right place to start, and the groundwork (registration and identifiers) is covered in our guide to the OID organisation ID.

Objectives

The action is designed to help smaller organisations:

  • Take their first step into transnational cooperation.
  • Build capacity and confidence to work at a European level.
  • Bring new organisations and target groups into the programme.
  • Develop simple, practical projects that meet a real local need.


Which Fields It Covers

Small-Scale Partnerships run across school education, vocational education and training, adult education, youth, and sport, so a small youth club and a partner abroad can build a project together without needing to be seasoned applicants.

Minimum Organisations and Countries

The core requirement is small:

  • At least two organisations from two different countries.
  • There is no maximum number of partners.

That two-organisation minimum is a key difference from Cooperation Partnerships, which need at least three.


Eligibility: No Two-Year Rule

Crucially, there is no two-year track-record requirement for Small-Scale Partnerships. This is the main eligibility difference from KA220, and it is what makes KA210 genuinely open to brand-new organisations. There is also a limit of a maximum of five applications per organisation per deadline, so you cannot flood a round with submissions.

Duration: 6 to 24 Months

A Small-Scale Partnership runs for between 6 and 24 months, shorter and more flexible than the 12 to 36 months of a Cooperation Partnership. This suits a focused, manageable first project.


The Two Amounts: €30,000 or €60,000

Funding is a lump sum, and you choose between two fixed amounts:

  • €30,000 for a smaller project.
  • €60,000 for a slightly larger one.

As a lump sum, the grant is tied to completing the planned activities rather than itemising every receipt, which keeps the reporting simple for a first-time applicant.

Where to Apply

You apply through your National Agency (the decentralised route), with the exception of the Sport field, which is handled centrally by the EACEA. See our guide on how to apply for the general steps, and check who can apply for eligibility.


Small-Scale vs Cooperation Partnerships

The two KA2 partnerships suit different organisations. In short:

  • Small-Scale (KA210): two organisations from two countries, 6 to 24 months, a lump sum of €30,000 or €60,000, no two-year rule, simple administration, built for newcomers.
  • Cooperation (KA220): at least three organisations from three countries, 12 to 36 months, lump sums of €120,000 to €400,000, a two-year rule for the coordinator, heavier administration, built for experienced organisations.

If in doubt, start small: a KA210 project is the natural stepping stone to a KA220 later.

What It Means for Participants

Like all KA2 actions, KA210 is an organisation grant, not a personal payment, so as an individual you do not receive the lump sum. What it means for you is that more small and local organisations can run projects, workshops, and activities, which widens the range of opportunities available to young people beyond the big, established players.


First Steps for Newcomers

If your organisation wants to try KA210:

  • Register your organisation to get an OID.
  • Find at least one partner organisation in another country.
  • Pick the amount and duration that match a realistic first project.
  • Apply to your National Agency by the deadline.

It is the most forgiving way to learn how EU project funding works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a KA210 Small-Scale Partnership? A simple Erasmus+ cooperation grant for two organisations from two countries, funded as a lump sum of €30,000 or €60,000, designed for newcomers and smaller organisations.

How is KA210 different from KA220? KA210 needs only two organisations, runs 6 to 24 months, pays €30,000 or €60,000, and has no two-year rule. KA220 needs three organisations, runs 12 to 36 months, pays €120,000 to €400,000, and has a two-year rule.

Do we need previous experience to apply? No. There is no two-year track-record requirement, which is exactly why KA210 suits first-time and grassroots organisations.

How much funding is available? A lump sum of either €30,000 or €60,000, chosen to match your project.

Can an individual apply? No. It is an organisation grant. Individuals benefit through the activities these partnerships create, not by receiving the money.

In Short

An Erasmus+ Small-Scale Partnership (KA210) is the entry-level cooperation grant: two organisations from two countries, 6 to 24 months, a lump sum of €30,000 or €60,000, and no track-record requirement, built for newcomers and grassroots groups. It is the simpler alternative to Cooperation Partnerships and the natural first step before attempting a larger KA220. According to Youth Works Hub, KA210 is how small organisations get their foot in the Erasmus+ door.


Ready to explore Erasmus+ opportunities?

Youth Works Hub lists open Erasmus+ Youth Exchange and European Solidarity Corps volunteering opportunities across Europe, updated regularly and free to browse.

Browse Opportunities: https://youthworkshub.org/links