Green Erasmus+ - Green Travel
Green Erasmus+ is an initiative of the Erasmus+ program that aims to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in international mobility. This initiative reflects VMI's commitment to supporting sustainability and the reduction of CO₂ emissions in all areas of our activities.

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Green travel with Erasmus+

To promote environmentally friendly travel, the European Commission supports sustainable mobility in the Erasmus+ program with financial grants. The aim is to increase the use of low-emission means of transport such as buses and trains and to reduce the ecological footprint.

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Definition of “green travel”

“Green travel” includes trips where low-emission means of transport are used for the majority of the journey (more than half), such as buses, trains or carpooling.

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Green Travel as part of the Erasmus+ program:
 

Green Travel for Erasmus+ participants

Objective: To promote environmentally friendly travel to and from the host institution

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Application Process
The application for Green Travel is made using the Green Travel Application Form, which also includes the Declaration on Honour.
The application form is available for download in the VMI Students Portal.

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Valid means of transportation

• Bus

• Train

• Carpooling (including e-cars

• Bicycle

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Financial support

• ​An increased travel allowance and the funding of up to six additional travel days will be possible, provided that environmentally friendly means of transportation are used in accordance with Green Travel principles.​

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Payment

• Paid out with the first grant installment (80% of the total grant)

• Prerequisite: signed sworn declaration with details of the means of transport used

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After the stay

• Keep proof of environmentally friendly arrival and departure for two years (in the event of random checks)

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Possible proof

• Personalized bus or train ticket (arrival and departure)

• Non-personalized ticket with personalized invoice receipt (e.g. bank statement)

• Fuel receipts or proof of car sharing

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Travel Sustainably with Erasmus+: Tips for Eco-Friendly Mobility

• Choose Low-Emission Modes of Transport.

• For your arrival and departure, trains, long-distance buses, or carpooling are especially climate-friendly options.

• Use the Interrail Pass for Erasmus+: the ideal solution for international train travel.

• Plan your travel route consciously: Avoid unnecessary detours and stopovers – direct train or bus connections.

• If flying is unavoidable: Choose direct flights, keep the flight portion as short as possible, and combine it with train or bus travel.

• Travel light: Less weight means lower energy consumption – and gives you more flexibility on the go.

• Consider Nearby Destinations - Even regions close to home offer exciting cultural and personal experiences – not every Erasmus+ trip needs to be far away.

• Sustainable Mobility On-Site - Use public transport, bicycles, or walk – it's an eco-friendly and authentic way to explore your destination.

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Traivelling – Climate-Friendly Train Travel Agency
Traivelling is Austria’s first climate-friendly train travel agency, offering sustainable alternatives to air travel.

For more information, please visit: traivelling.com

 

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Interrail Pass for Erasmus+

Erasmus+ students on their way to a semester or internship abroad now have the opportunity to go abroad greener with an Interrail Pass. The pass gives you four or six travel days in six months. The new Interrail Pass makes it even easier for students to travel abroad by train and explore cities near their host university. Further information can be found on the Interrail website. Getting to know other countries offers great added value, but of course there is no way around sustainability - which is why we recommend Fairtravel!