Romania’s ‘I GO VET’ initiative turns Erasmus+ mobility experiences into stories that encourage more IVET learners to study and train abroad. This comes amid strong growth in Erasmus+ IVET mobility, with participation more than doubling since 2021 and more schools joining the programme.
In 2026, the Romanian National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of Education and Vocational Training (ANPCDEFP) hosted the final event for the winners of the I GO VET 2025 competition, held under the theme ‘Erasmus transformed me – my story as an ambassador’. Supported by the National VET Team, the initiative has become a flagship activity that highlights the impact of Erasmus+ mobility experiences on VET learners in Romania.
Increasing IVET mobility
IVET learning mobility has expanded significantly through the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. The number of IVET learners and teachers participating in learning, training or work placements abroad rose from 5 215 in 2021 to 12 070 in 2025, representing a 131% increase.
The budget allocated to these mobility activities also increased. It rose from EUR 13 million in 2021 to EUR 34 million in 2025. Over the same period, the number of IVET schools involved in Erasmus+ projects increased from 184 in 2021 to 423 in 2025. This figure covers independently accredited organisations, institutions participating as members of consortia, and schools for which accreditation may be too demanding and which therefore prefer to apply for annual mobility projects. The number of new institutions is also significant: 197 organisations and schools joined the programme for the first time between 2022 and 2025, accounting for 47% of all organisations involved in IVET mobility in Romania.
Initiative to increase the visibility and attractiveness of VET mobility
Each year, the I GO VET competition invites participants to create short video testimonials. These show how Erasmus+ has influenced their personal and professional development, strengthened their skills and inspired them to encourage other young people to take part in international learning mobility. In the latest competition, the fourth in a row, more than 135 learners from vocational and technological schools nationwide who had taken part in Erasmus+ VET mobility activities submitted video entries that shared their personal stories. Following the eligibility and evaluation stages, VET professionals assessed more than 100 videos against criteria including storytelling, the transfer of learning outcomes, relevance to the Erasmus+ ambassador role and impact on peers.
The I GO VET initiative turns individual mobility experiences into inspiring learning stories that can enhance the attractiveness of VET and encourage more learners to take part in international mobility.
The 2026 final event in Bucharest brought together the winning VET students, teachers, former Erasmus+ participants and other relevant stakeholders. Participants visited ‘YOUTH’ – the National Youth Ecosystem Centre – where they attended a hands-on workshop that combined creativity, teamwork and storytelling. Inspired by their own Erasmus+ journeys, the learners designed personalised T-shirts reflecting their learning experiences and personal transformations.
Dedicated training sessions also facilitated exchanges among the winners, Erasmus+ alumni, EuroApprentices and EuroPeers. They provided practical tools for communication, civic participation and the promotion of mobility opportunities among other VET learners. This interaction also helped build a national community of young Erasmus+ ambassadors, inspiring future participants through peer-to-peer communication.
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| Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Romania, & Cedefop (2026, August 31). Romania: mobility stories inspire future IVET learners. National news on VET |