Erasmus+ for Vocational Education and Training
The Federal Council is aiming for Switzerland to become associated with Erasmus+ from 2027 – a major opportunity for vocational education and training too. We are here to support you through this planned transition so that you can continue to carry out your mobility and cooperation projects and benefit from the new options as soon as possible.
If the planned association with Erasmus+ goes ahead, international mobility and cooperation would no longer be funded through the Swiss Programme from 2027 onwards, but through Erasmus+. This means changes to the rules and framework conditions, but also opportunities for new projects, partnerships and international networks. Although projects can be carried out in a similar form under Erasmus+, various preparatory steps are required in the field of vocational education and training, both at a structural and operational level.
One important change would be the future accreditation of vocational education and training institutions for mobility projects. However, this is not yet available during the transition phase. As regards cooperations, Erasmus+ projects could now be managed, and the need to submit two separate applications would be eliminated. Movetia’s role would remain unchanged: project leaders would continue to receive consulting, guidance, monitoring and support from the national agency – but within a broader European programme framework.
Association of Switzerland to Erasmus+ is targeted for 2027
For project leaders, this means that you should plan your 2027 project within the framework of the funding opportunities under Erasmus+. At the same time, you should be prepared to submit your project under the current Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ in the event that Parliament does not approve association with Erasmus+. Movetia supports you throughout this process by providing information on funding opportunities and the application process, where possible.
Why Erasmus+ is important for vocational education and training
Switzerland’s association with Erasmus+ would give vocational education and training comprehensive access to all European and cooperation schemes. Swiss VET apprentices, vocational trainers and institutions would thus once again be able to reap the full benefits of Europe’s largest education programme – without the structural and financial constraints of the current Swiss transitional solution.
Full access to activities, networks and tools:
With Erasmus+, vocational education and training would have access to all mobility and cooperation schemes, excellence initiatives, as well as European platforms and matching tools. At present, many of these opportunities are closed to Swiss stakeholders or difficult to access; while partners abroad also face restrictions when collaborating with Switzerland. An association to Erasmus+ would completely remove these barriers.
International leadership role and greater visibility:
At present, Swiss vocational education and training stakeholders can participate in projects under selected funding schemes, but cannot coordinate them. With full programme access, institutions could initiate and lead their own projects, thereby raising the profile of Switzerland’s internationally recognised vocational education and training system even further. This would strengthen innovation capacity, allows for project coordination and enhance Switzerland’s appeal as a partner country.
One programme, one framework:
Mobility and cooperations could once again be organised directly through the established Erasmus+ structures – simply, digitally and more efficiently for all involved. European partners often do not accept parallel agreements; association would eliminate this complexity. At the same time, the Erasmus+ networks make it considerably easier to find partners and would thus increase participation in exchange and cooperation activities.
Global options for vocational education and training:
Erasmus+ facilitates mobility and cooperation not only within Europe, but also with partners worldwide – something that is often particularly important for vocational education and training. Whilst such activities are currently only eligible for funding to a limited extent, Erasmus+ offers comprehensive global programmes and funding that would significantly broaden the international horizons of Swiss vocational education and training.
Tools and networks facilitate mobility and cooperation projects
Association with Erasmus+ would give Swiss VET access to additional networks and tools, in addition to all the funding opportunities available.
The tools provided by Erasmus+ are designed to support project organisation and management. You can find inspiration for new projects, exchange experiences or gain access to language learning opportunities.
Key Action 1 (KA1) – Learning mobility for individuals
This key action focuses on the mobility of individuals. In vocational education and training, this key action covers the mobility of VET apprentices, apprenticeship graduates, vocational and technical college students, and vocational education and training staff. Under this key action, Erasmus+ supports the same types of mobility as the current Swiss solution, with additional opportunities for short-term and/or virtual mobility and a comprehensive range of support for sustainable travel and inclusion. Incoming mobilities (people coming to Switzerland from abroad) would no longer be applied for via Swiss project leaders, but would be funded by the partner countries. Once again, educational institutions with large-scale mobility projects would require accreditation.
Key action 2 (KA2) – Cooperation between organisations and institutions
This key action focuses on institutional cooperation between different institutions and organisations. It promotes vocational education and training cooperation in the form of partnerships and projects. In Switzerland, cooperation projects have so far been partly funded through the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ and the International Programme. Instead of receiving supplementary funding from Swiss sources and participating as an associated partner with little say in Erasmus+ cooperation, institutions could in future take part in the full range of cooperation partnerships as full partners within the Erasmus+ framework and also take on project leadership roles.
Key Action 3 (KA3) – Support to policy development and cooperation
This key action supports developments in education policy at European level. It promotes political dialogue, synergies and the transfer of knowledge in order to advance national and European education policy. Vocational education and training institutions may also participate under Key Action 3.
Tools and networks facilitate mobility and cooperation projects
Association with Erasmus+ would give Swiss VET access to additional networks and tools, in addition to all the funding opportunities available.
The tools provided by Erasmus+ are designed to support project organisation and management. You can find inspiration for new projects, exchange experiences or gain access to language learning opportunities.
Tools
- Erasmus+ Website: Programme information from the European Commission: Priorities, initiatives, deadlines. At the heart of it all is the programme guide – it applies to all initiatives, both central and decentralised
- Erasmus+ Platform: Calls for proposals and application forms for the decentralised actions: KA1 mobility and most KA2 partnerships
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Calls for proposals and application forms for centralised Erasmus+ actions, e.g. CoVE, Alliances for Innovation, etc.
- Erasmus+ Project Results: Overview of funded projects
- Templates: Erasmus+ project management
- OLS: Language learning in mobility projects
- eTwinning: Exchange platform for schools, including vocational schools
- SALTO: European training calendar featuring professional development courses and networking seminars where project partners meet
Even outside of Erasmus+, there are many tools that can facilitate project planning and implementation:
- Impact Tool from the Dutch National Agency
- ‘Projects with Impact’ by the Mercator Foundation
- European Qualifications Framework (EQF): Comparison of qualifications
- Erasmobility: Platform for finding partners in vocational education and training
- SALTO digital: Resources on the topic of ‘Digitalisation and digital transformation’
The Erasmus+ networks are designed to help you establish new partnerships for projects or, as a participating organisation, join existing consortia. They facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience (online or at events), but also serve as a source of information for your project planning. Various networks are already open to join, but are becoming increasingly relevant under Erasmus+.
Networks
- EfVET – European Forum of Technical & Vocational Education and Training
- EPALE – Electronic Platform for Adult Education in Europe
- Cedefop – European Centre for the Development of Vocational Education and Training
- EARLALL – European Association of Regional & Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning
- EVBB – European Association of Institutions for Vocational Training
- EVTA – The European Vocational Training Association
- Europass – Digital CV and mobility certificates
- SwissCore – Swiss Liaison Office in Brussels
- Sector- and occupation-specific international networks
- Websites or newsletters of other National Agencies (e.g. NA BIBB, INAPP, Agence Erasmus+ France or OeaD)
These lists are not yet complete and are being updated on an ongoing basis.
Next steps for you in project planning
It’s worth starting to plan your project now. Explore the subpages on mobilities and cooperations to find out about the various funding schemes and how you can start preparing today:
