You wrote “our target group lacks digital skills” — and the evaluator gave you a 3. Here is exactly why that sentence cost you points. Erasmus plus gap analysis is the foundation of a strong Needs Analysis section, yet it is where most applications lose ground. This post draws on Lesson 3.1 from Module 3 — European Competence Frameworks — Selection and Application in the KA2 Needs Analysis course, where we explore how to describe competence gaps with the precision that evaluators reward.
For more information please check Needs Analysis resources. AI Agent Node sets out exactly what evaluators look for in this area.
Why Your Erasmus Plus Gap Analysis Is Losing You Points
The problem with “lacks digital skills” is not that it is wrong — it is almost certainly true. The problem is that it tells the evaluator nothing measurable, nothing verifiable, and nothing they can score against their criteria.
Think about what an evaluator sees on a busy afternoon, reviewing their twelfth application of the day. Every applicant says their target group needs more skills — every single one. What sets your application apart is the moment you stop describing the gap in general terms and start defining it with precision.
Vague gap statements are not just weak writing. They are a signal to the evaluator that you have not done the diagnostic work. You assumed the need rather than evidenced it. And when the Relevance section lacks that depth, the score drops — not because the evaluator wants to penalise you, but because the criteria reward specificity.
What Evaluators Really Want to See
The Erasmus+ scoring framework explicitly rewards applicants who demonstrate they understand the specific nature of the gap their project addresses. A general statement about missing skills scores lower than one that names the skill, describes the current state, and references a recognised European benchmark as the desired standard.
In fact, evaluators are looking for three things in a well-written gap statement. They want to know which skill is missing. They want to understand how significant that gap is. And they want to see it anchored to a credible external reference — not simply your opinion as the applicant.
Most applications get the first part right. Very few get all three. That is precisely why the ones that do stand out.
How a Precise Erasmus Plus Gap Analysis Changes Your Score
There is a structured way to build these statements, and it does not require years of experience. It requires knowing which reference tools exist, how to navigate them, and how to apply what you find to your specific project scenario.
Once you know the approach, writing a precise gap statement takes minutes rather than hours. More importantly, it produces language that evaluators recognise immediately — language that signals you have done the analytical work rather than telling a general story.
Our community gives you direct access to the frameworks, the worked examples, and the trainers who have seen what scores and what does not. If you are serious about your next KA2 application, this is where that precision starts.
Conclusion
As conclusion, a strong Erasmus+ gap analysis is not about writing more — it is about writing precisely. The applicants who score well on Relevance are not always the most experienced. They are the ones who know how to define a gap with evidence, specificity, and clarity. Join our Training Waiting List.
