The annual Grant Holders Meeting of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) 2026 brought together beneficiaries and stakeholders from across partner countries for a two-day online programme held on 20–21 January 2026. The meeting served as an important platform to reflect on recent selection results, strengthen project management capacity, and discuss key operational and strategic requirements for successful project implementation.
The event was organized by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme, and gathered representatives of newly selected and ongoing CBHE projects from different regions.
Day 1 – Programme Priorities and Project Management (20 January 2026)
The first day of the meeting focused on horizontal issues relevant to all CBHE grant holders. Participants were introduced to the 2025 CBHE selection results and received comprehensive guidance on effective project implementation from the perspective of the managing authority.
Key thematic sessions addressed:
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Good project management practices, with practical recommendations for ensuring smooth coordination, financial discipline, and timely delivery of results;
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Key dimensions of successful CBHE project implementation, including governance, partnership management, quality assurance, and sustainability;
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Monitoring and evaluation requirements, highlighting standards, added value, and practical approaches to tracking progress and results;
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Data protection obligations for beneficiaries, with a focus on compliance, risk mitigation, and responsible data management within EU-funded projects;
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Ex-post audits, outlining what beneficiaries should expect and how to prepare effectively;
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Improving project websites, with concrete suggestions on visibility, transparency, and communication of results.
These sessions provided grant holders with clear guidance on expectations and compliance requirements, while also offering practical tools to improve the quality and impact of their projects.
Day 2 – Regional Workshops (21 January 2026)
The second day was dedicated to regional workshops, allowing for more targeted discussions tailored to the specific contexts of different regions. The Central Asia regional workshop brought together project teams from the region to discuss implementation challenges, regional priorities, and opportunities for cooperation and mutual learning.
The workshop was facilitated by representatives of the CBHE project management team, geographic coordination experts, and National Erasmus+ Office representatives from the region. Discussions focused on:
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Common implementation challenges faced by Central Asian institutions;
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Expectations regarding reporting, dissemination, and sustainability;
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The role of National Erasmus+ Offices in supporting grant holders throughout the project lifecycle;
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Strengthening regional cooperation and peer learning among CBHE projects.
Participation of Kyrgyzstani Grant Holders
Kyrgyzstan was represented in the Central Asia regional workshop by three higher education institutions that became CBHE grant holders following the 2025 selection:
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Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University with the project MANAS-E-LAB;
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International Higher School of Medicine with the project D-TIDE-KG;
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Osh Technical University with the project DIGITECH.
Their participation provided an opportunity to engage directly with the managing authority, receive region-specific guidance, and exchange experiences with peers from Central Asia.
The Grant Holders Meeting Erasmus+ CBHE 2026 reaffirmed the importance of strong project management, compliance with EU requirements, and effective communication and dissemination. For Kyrgyzstani institutions, the event marked an important step at the beginning of their CBHE project implementation journey, offering valuable insights and practical guidance to support the successful delivery of project objectives.
The National Erasmus+ Office in the Kyrgyz Republic will continue to support CBHE grant holders at all stages of project implementation and encourages beneficiaries to actively apply the recommendations discussed during the meeting.
