It’s a universal truth, but Erasmus+ deadlines are always near (usually, twice per year: March & October). This is a time to apply for funding for your projects. But, also to become partners for Erasmus+ projects of others (youth exchanges, training courses, capacity building, KA2 and KA3 – you name it). For that, you need Eramus+ PIF.
Hence, every time (a month or so before Erasmus+ deadlines) a massive promotion effort by European NGOs starts. Everyone is sending their Erasmus+ PIFs this way or that way. Usually, it happens on social networks (Facebook groups remain the main channel) and/or via newsletters.
How to stand out with Erasmus+ PIF?
How not to be yet another Erasmus+ PIF sender (among thousands of others)? In this post we are giving 3 quick ways to drastically improve your Erasmus+ PIF:
1) Make your Erasmus+ PIF up to date
Before Erasmus+ application would ask 3 questions about your partners in projects (brief presentation, relevant activities/experience & key staff/persons). In 2017 this was reduced to only 1 (description of your organisation); however, (since 2019) it’s back to 3 questions again. So, it’s safe to say that the PIF requirements change.
Thus, it is somewhat annoying when someone’s Erasmus+ PIF is not how it should be. This adds a headache for your partners (since they have to inquire additionally about the missing information). Also, you do not look professional. Think of your PIF as your CV. You would want it to be up-to-date, right? Not just that, the goal is to make it outstanding (see tips below).
If your team consists of more than 1 person, it is recommended to put your Erasmus+ PIF on HTML (have it as a webpage). This way you can do updates whenever you want and be confident that everyone will have the latest version of it. Take a look at a good example from AY Institute (a Lithuania-based NGO).
2) Add a personal touch to your Erasmus+ PIF
Erasmus+ PIFs are usually dull documents. Just a table full of information. Why not change the format a bit? One idea is to add a welcome message to the top? For example:
Dear partner, thanks for being interested…
Not sure what we mean? Take a look at this cool PIF.
3) Remove the unnecessary bits
The only usable information (in Erasmus+ PIF) is usually the PIC number (now called ‘OID‘) and the legal representative’s & contact person details (update: they can’t be the same person). Everything else fills up automatically by the system (upon entering the PIC / OID number in the application form). So why include everything in your Erasmus+ PIF? Surely, your partners do not care whether you’re from the department of international affairs or foreign relationships.
We hope that this was useful to you. Should you want to know how to be a good Erasmus+ partner, check out this great article.
How to stand out with your emails and newsletters?
Read about our top insights on how to boost email open rate and reader engagement.
Not sure how to write an Erasmus+ project?
Check out this extensive blog post we’ve prepared – 10 Erasmus project writing tips.
