The partnreship, comprising 20 universitiy partners with a broad geographic distribution,, has an enviable track record in attracting able young women and men to the EU. All EU partners have proven their ability to attract and manage complex educational networks; all EU partners currently coordinate or are partners in successfull Erasmus Mundus (ME) programmes (Action 1 and Action 2). In these programmes, the consortium partners have demonstrated an ability to implement components of the Bologna agreement, have tackled and found practical solutions to many of the more intractable problems such as visas, multiple joint degrees, fees and financing, ECTS and quality assurance protocols, and the partners offer excellent services to the visiting students and scholars. This proposal is designed toa ddress all of the stated objectives in the Call (EACEA/29/09), and significant attention has again been paid to the mechanisms through which these objectives are met, as well as solving known and potential challenges. These mechanisms are described in this proposal in detail, and are summarised below.Lot 8 countries (L8C) have been, and are, undergoing tumultuous political periods. Iran has been subject to economic and cultural isolation, Yemen has a need to improve justice and civil society and reduce crime, while Iraq has had a civil war and ongoing insurgencies. These are challenging countries where this consortium, as ambassadors for th EU, can make a big impact by enhancing political, cultural, educational and economical links between the EU and L8C, as well as disseminating EU social and democratic values. In other words, though the major challenges are recognised, this partnership is uniquely placed to maximise the opportunities for, and deliver of, a successful exchange programme with Iran, Iraq and Yemen.The partnership is especially confident because the coordinating applicant (University of Twente, Faculty of ITC) has a specific mission of educating students from less developed countries for over 60 years, with many alumni coming from L8C (329 from Iran, 188 from Iraq and 44 from Yemen). The consortium's focus is a flourishing exchange framework based upon real opportunities and realistic objectives. The extensive alumno and contact network of partnership ensures that where opportunities exist, the consortium will know of them and be the best placed to take advantage of them. In addition, a number of Iraqi and Iranian staff members work for the European partners and are available to guide and advise visiting students and scholars. These staff members are known to the consortium partners and are being advertised to staff and students.All mobility flows occur from L8C to the EU-partners due to the above mentioned safety concerns and EU directive. All mobility levels (undergraduate, master, doctoral, post-doctoral and staff) are catered for by all partners. This represents a significant opportunity to engage in collaborative activities with Iran, Iraq and Yemen by attracting Target Groups 1, 2 and 3 students and staff, especially vulnerable groups. Such mobility increases the capacity fo the L8C partners, as the knowledge and experience gained is returned to the L8C institutions at the end of the study period. Not only knowledge of the EU's higher education system, instils an open culture of learning and invigorate students and staff with new ideas and methodologies within the principles of the Bologna agreement. Students and staff return home with new skills suited to leadership positions in government, NGOs and business. In particular, graduates appreciate the culture and languages of the hosting universities, have worked on case studies and developed solutions relevant to their problems, and are exposed to up-to-date research methods and outcomes. Specific actions are described to minimise "brain-drain" and asylum claims from participating students and staff.