Getting Started with EWP Integration for Your University

The Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) network is transforming how European universities exchange student mobility data. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of EWP integration.

What is EWP?

EWP (Erasmus Without Paper) is a European initiative to digitize and streamline the exchange of student data between universities participating in the Erasmus+ program.

Core EWP Components

1. Inter-Institutional Agreements (IIA)

IIAs define the terms of cooperation between partner universities. With EWP:

• Create agreements digitally
• Share with partners via the EWP network
• Receive automatic updates when partners modify agreements
• Track signature status in real-time

2. Online Learning Agreements (OLA)

OLAs replace paper Learning Agreements with a digital workflow:

1. Student creates their study plan
2. Home institution approves
3. Host institution confirms
4. All parties receive automatic notifications

3. Change Notifications (CNR)

The CNR system ensures all parties stay synchronized:

// Example: CNR notification when OLA is approved
{
  "notifier": "sending-institution.edu",
  "event": "ola_approved",
  "studentId": "ST123456",
  "timestamp": "2026-01-07T10:30:00Z"
}

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Register in the EWP Registry

Contact the EWP Registry administrators to register your institution's endpoints.

Step 2: Implement Required APIs

At minimum, you need:

• IIA API - Share and receive inter-institutional agreements
• OLA API - Manage Online Learning Agreements
• CNR API - Send and receive change notifications

Step 3: Test with Partner Institutions

Start with 1-2 trusted partners to:

• Validate your implementation
• Identify edge cases
• Refine your workflows

Step 4: Scale Gradually

Once stable with initial partners:

1. Expand to more institutions
2. Monitor system performance
3. Gather user feedback
4. Iterate on improvements

SoleMove's EWP Support

SoleMove has full EWP integration built-in:

✅ All EWP IIA interfaces implemented ✅ Complete OLA management ✅ Automatic CNR notifications ✅ Real-time synchronization with partners ✅ No additional development needed

Common Challenges

Challenge 1: Data Mapping

Different institutions structure data differently. Plan for:

• Field mapping between systems
• Data validation rules
• Error handling for incompatible data

Challenge 2: Partner Readiness

Not all partners implement EWP at the same pace. You'll need:

• Hybrid workflows (EWP + manual)
• Clear communication with partners
• Fallback processes for non-EWP partners

Challenge 3: Ongoing Maintenance

EWP specifications evolve. Budget for:

• Regular updates to match new specs
• Testing with updated partner systems
• Staff training on new features

Best Practices

1. Start Simple: Implement core features first, add advanced features later
2. Document Everything: Keep detailed documentation of your implementation
3. Communicate Proactively: Keep partners informed of changes
4. Monitor Performance: Track API response times and error rates
5. Train Staff: Ensure your team understands EWP workflows

Conclusion

EWP integration modernizes student mobility management, but it requires careful planning and execution. With the right platform like SoleMove, you can implement EWP without building everything from scratch.

Additional Resources

• EWP Official Documentation
• EWP Registry
• SoleMove EWP Features

Have questions about EWP implementation? Contact our team for expert guidance.