Operational consulting to increase cross-border mobility of apprentices and young skilled workers (Vocational Training Without Borders)
Nationwide funding for business consulting of SMEs regarding internships abroad and mobility of trainees & young professionals. Grant of up to 70% of eligible expenses. Applications accepted until 31.10.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The program supports operational consulting for companies, trainees, and young professionals to increase their cross-border mobility within the framework of internships abroad and to facilitate the recruitment of foreign trainees and skilled workers in Germany. The goal is to strengthen the international activities of SMEs through information, organization, follow-up, and network development, to promote intercultural competence and foreign language skills, and to ensure sustainable mobility consulting.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Material costs (e.g., public relations, cooperation, project administration)
- Administrative overhead costs up to 7.7% of personnel expenses
Non-eligible expenses
- Permanent training in Germany
- Construction investments and property acquisition
- Expenses for fees of full-time staff
- Personnel expenses above salary grade 10
- Investments (facilities, equipment)
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Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Proven experience in business-oriented consulting of SMEs, trainees, and young professionals
- Existence of a comprehensive action plan
- Presentation of previous activities and resources to increase mobility
- Proof of secured overall financing
- In case of cooperations: submission of a cooperation agreement
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Documents required for application
- Application form
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Explanations of the financing plan
- Creditworthiness documents (register excerpt, audited financial statements)
- Cooperation agreements (if available)
Evaluation criteria
- Quality and feasibility of the implementation concept
- Proven consulting experience
- Sustainability and added value of the project
- Available resources and collaborations
- Secured overall financing
Description
The funding program Vocational Training Without Borders supports public institutions and companies nationwide in operational consulting to increase cross-border mobility of apprentices and young professionals. The goal is to assist SMEs in the planning, organization, and follow-up of internships abroad as well as in the recruitment of foreign apprentices and professionals in Germany. Funding is provided particularly for information, individual consulting, and network building within the framework of national and international cooperation. Up to 70% of eligible expenses can be covered, including personnel costs, travel and accommodation expenses, material costs for public relations and project management, as well as administrative overheads of up to 7.7% of personnel expenses.
Eligible applicants are natural and legal persons with demonstrated experience in business-related consulting of SMEs, apprentices, and young professionals. A comprehensive action plan outlining previous activities and resources used to promote mobility, as well as proof of secured overall financing, are prerequisites. Projects may run for up to 48 months, and applications must be submitted continuously until October 31, 2026. Required documents include, among others, the application form, project description, and evidence of financing and creditworthiness. The program contributes to strengthening intercultural competencies and foreign language skills, unlocking international market opportunities for SMEs, and ensuring sustainable mobility consulting.
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