Project Funding
European Funding & Programme Framework
Supporting Cultural Heritage Through European Cooperation
The UNDER – Underground Navigators Exploring and Revealing project was made possible thanks to the support of the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme, under Key Action 2 (KA210-VET – Small-scale Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training).
This funding framework was created to encourage international collaboration among organisations working in education and training, supporting initiatives that promote innovation, skills development, cultural exchange, and sustainable growth across Europe.
Through this support, the UNDER consortium was able to transform a shared vision into a concrete European cooperation project dedicated to the exploration, preservation, and promotion of underground cultural heritage.
About the Erasmus+ Programme
Erasmus+ is the European Union's flagship programme supporting education, training, youth, and sport across Europe. The programme aims to foster cooperation between organisations, strengthen professional competencies, encourage innovation, and promote inclusion and active participation in European society.
Within Erasmus+, different funding actions are designed to address specific needs and project scales. The UNDER project was funded under Key Action 2 (KA2), which supports cooperation among organisations and institutions.
More specifically, UNDER was financed through KA210-VET – Small-scale Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training, a funding action designed to make European cooperation more accessible, particularly for smaller organisations or partnerships seeking to develop practical, impactful, and collaborative initiatives.
This funding stream encourages organisations to work together across borders, exchange expertise, and create solutions that contribute to shared European priorities.
How European Funding Is Managed
European funding programmes operate through a structured governance model designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective implementation.
The European Commission defines the strategic priorities, objectives, and overall budget of the Erasmus+ Programme, ensuring that funding aligns with broader European policies related to education, inclusion, innovation, sustainability, and cultural cooperation.
The operational management of many Erasmus+ actions, including small-scale partnership projects such as UNDER, is carried out by National Agencies in participating countries. These agencies are responsible for overseeing project selection, financial administration, monitoring implementation, and supporting beneficiary organisations throughout the project lifecycle.
This shared management structure ensures that European funds are distributed effectively while remaining closely connected to national and local realities.
For projects like UNDER, this model creates the conditions for meaningful collaboration, practical implementation, and measurable impact.
The Role of European Funding in the UNDER Project
European financial support played a fundamental role in enabling the implementation and successful completion of the UNDER project.
Through Erasmus+ funding, project partners were able to collaborate internationally, share expertise, and develop activities aimed at enhancing underground cultural heritage as a resource for education, cultural awareness, and sustainable tourism.
The funding supported activities such as:
- international cooperation between partner organisations;
- exchange of knowledge, methodologies, and best practices;
- project meetings and collaborative development activities;
- research and documentation related to underground heritage;
- creation of educational and dissemination materials;
- stakeholder engagement and awareness-raising initiatives;
- promotion of sustainable approaches to cultural tourism.
By removing financial barriers to international cooperation, the programme enabled institutions to focus on innovation, knowledge transfer, and long-term value creation.
Lasting Impact Beyond the Project
The contribution of Erasmus+ funding extended beyond the immediate implementation of project activities.
By supporting cooperation between organisations from different European contexts, the programme strengthened professional networks, encouraged intercultural dialogue, and facilitated the exchange of expertise that will continue beyond the formal conclusion of the project.
The UNDER project demonstrated how European funding can serve as a catalyst for innovation, heritage valorisation, and sustainable development, generating benefits not only for participating organisations but also for local communities and future stakeholders.
This support reflects the European Union's broader commitment to preserving cultural heritage, promoting education and lifelong learning, and fostering collaborative solutions to shared challenges.