Tempus is a European Union funded programme which supports the modernisation of higher education in the partner countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean region, mainly through university cooperation projects. It also aims to promote the voluntary convergence of the higher education systems in the Partner Countries with EU developments in the field of higher education. In addition to promoting cooperation between institutions Tempus also promotes a “people to people” approach. Tempus provides support to consortia of institutions composed mainly of universities or university associations. Non-academic partners can also be part of a consortium.