Erasmus Mundus Partnerships aim at promoting institutional cooperation and mobility activities between Europe and third-country Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This Action is built on the previous community programme External Cooperation Window (2006-2008) with a wider geographical coverage, a larger scope and differentiated objectives.

Action 2 is divided into two strands:

• EMA2-STRAND1: Partnerships with countries covered by the ENPI, DCI, EDF and IPA instruments (former External Cooperation Window);
• EMA2-STRAND2: Partnerships with countries and territories covered by the Industrialised Countries Instrument (ICI)5.

Action 2 provides:

• Support for the establishment of cooperation partnerships between European HEIs and HEIs from targeted third countries/territories with the objective of organising and implementing structured individual mobility arrangements between the European and the third-country/territories partners.
• Scholarships of various length - depending on the priorities defined for the third countries/territories concerned, the level of studies or the particular arrangements agreed within the partnership – for European and third-country/territory individuals (students, scholars, researchers, professionals).

The specific objectives of EMA2-STRAND2 activities are:

To support cooperation between higher education institutions with a view to promoting study programmes and mobility;

• To foster the mobility of students, doctoral and post-doctoral candidates between the European Union and the third countries/territories by promoting transparency, mutual recognition of qualifications and periods of study, research and training, and, where appropriate, portability of credits;

• To support the mobility of professionals (academic and administrative staff) with a view to improving mutual understanding and expertise, of issues relevant to relations between the European Union and the partner countries;

• To develop a distinctive value for the promotion of region to region cooperation. The implementation of the programme shall contribute fully to promoting the the horizontal policies of the  Community, in particular by:

• Enhancing the European knowledge-based economy and society and contributing to creating more jobs in line with the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy and strengthening the global competitiveness of the European Union, its sustainable economic growth and its greater social cohesion; • Fostering culture, knowledge and skills for peaceful and sustainable development in a Europe of diversity;

• Promoting awareness of the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity within Europe, as well of the need to combat racism and xenophobia and promoting intercultural education;

• Making provision for students with special needs, and in particular by helping to promote their integration into mainstream higher education, and promoting equal opportunities for all;

• Promoting equality between men and women and contributing to combating all forms of discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.