Over the last 2 years there have been many changes in the way international and global partnerships can be funded.

Currently the main opportunity for funding school partnerships is Europe based, Comenius. 
This is an EU funding stream which offers a range of different project opportunities:
School Partnership projects - these all have a recurring deadline of February each year; the next one will be February 21 2013.
Multi-lateral projects: for projects with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 countries across the EU.  These are available for all schools from Early Years settings to Sixth form.  Projects can be to do with anything that affects teaching, including class based projects and teaching support. Projects should include some kind of language element.
Bi-Lateral projects: these are for secondary schools to work with just one other partner from anywhere in the EU.
Projects include pupils travelling to visit partners as well as teachers.
For more information about the Comenius School linking projects go to British Council Comenius.

Whilst February 2013 may sound like a long way off it does take time to develop a project, including finding partners and honing your ideas. 

In order to meet up with potential partners that you have made through your own means or the etwinning website you are entitled to apply for a preparatory visit grant.  This will pay for travel and subsistence expenses for one member of staff to visit partners in order to discuss and plan a project.  Applications need to be made up to 6 weeks in advance of the proposed travel. Preparatory visit information is here.

Comenius also provides excellent staff development opportunities through a range of 'in-service' training.  These are courses, paid for by the EU through the British Council, run by centres of excellence from across the EU. Travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses are covered though not supply cover.  The range of training available is extremely wide - have a look at the database here, examples include Creativity in the Classroom, Conflict management, Innovative teaching and learning methods for reducing early school leaving, or topics such as sustainability.  Courses run throughout the year with application deadlines at least 3 times a year depending on when the course is.  Check here for the full details, the next application date is 17 September 2012 for courses that are taking place between 1 January 2013 and 30 April 2013.

There was a funding stream for global partnerships called Global School Partnerships which has now been closed.

Connecting Classrooms is currently undergoing changes which may result in no future funding however they do seem to work to their own timetable so it’s always worth checking at Connecting Classrooms.  They are currently recruiting schools with ongoing links with China to apply for further project funding.

It is expected that over the next 12 months there will be changes for both Connecting Classrooms and Global School Partnerships which may amount to a new funding stream.  Keep an eye on this page for updates or subscribe to the email updates from the International team from Harriet.gill@brighton-hove.gov.uk