Student Microprojets 2026-2027

Who can submit an application?  

Two groups of students, regularly enrolled at a higher education institution (HEI) in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) and at an HEI in an ARES partner country. Both groups are motivated by the partnership dynamic and topics related to sustainable development.

Eligible countries?

South Africa, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Uganda, Peru, Philippines, Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Guinea, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

Duration?

The Microproject must take place over one academic year, between 1 September of year X and 31 August of year X+1.

Budget?

€20,000, including 10% management fees.

Details of the call

Download the call for applications document 2026-2027, for a project to be carried out between 1 September 2026 and the 31 August 2027.

Proposal content

The Microprojet:

• must be based on a genuine partnership;
• must demonstrate effective participation by students from both groups;
• must focus on raising students' awareness of sustainable development issues rather than on the concrete results expected from the project;
• must demonstrate its collective nature, in the sense that it cannot, for example, result in the completion of a single dissertation/final project.

Students at a HEI in the FWB who have been awarded a Travel Scholarship from ARES may be involved in a Microproject in the same academic year, provided that the Travel Scholarship is not awarded for travel in connection with the Microproject.

How to submit an application?

Online via the GIRAF platform. To obtain the access link and instructions for submitting your application, please contact the relevant person at your institution.

Selection criteria

• First criterion - Jointly developed theme and intention to bring about change: the microproject is based on a clearly identified theme, jointly developed by the students, and aims to bring about change (learning, changing perspectives, collective production, concrete action), beyond a simple meeting or visit.
• Second criterion - Critical and civic reflection: the microproject encourages students to think critically about issues of global citizenship, sustainable development, inequality and power relations, as well as the dynamics of solidarity and global justice.
• Third criterion - Organisation and feasibility of the project: the project has a clear, realistic and coherent organisation (roles, coordination, communication), adapted to a microproject led by students.
• Fourth criterion - Quality of the partnership: The partnership is based on the involvement of students and, where applicable, other actors (academics, NGOs, diaspora, etc.) with the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the project. It is based on clear and shared foundations, in a spirit of shared responsibility. The partners are effectively involved in the design, implementation and promotion of the micro-project.
• Fifth criterion – Dissemination and sustainability of learning: the project includes provisions for sharing experiences (within the institution, among peers, with partners) and capitalising on learning beyond the micro-project.
• Sixth criterion - Budget and equitable use of resources: the budget is consistent with the planned activities, realistic, and respects the principles of equity in the distribution between partners.

Calendar

9 February 2026: Launch of the Student Microprojects call

9 February - 18 May 2026, at 12pm: Submission of applications via the GIRAF platform

29 June 2026: Information to applicants on selected and non-selected projects

1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027: Project implementation

MORE INFORMATION:

• at ARES, contact Camille Roegiers (ARES) - camille.roegiers@ares-ac.be;
• within your institution, contact the relevant people (cooperation/international relations unit).