Swiss vocational education and training institutions can already take part in many Erasmus+ actions. However, if Switzerland were to be associated with Erasmus+, they would participate in the Erasmus+ programme directly and on an equal footing with all other Erasmus+ institutions. Under Erasmus+, additional funding and participation opportunities are available to you in the area of cooperation than under the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+.

If Switzerland becomes associated with Erasmus+ in 2027, this would mean:

• You would, in principle, have access to all Erasmus+ actions in which your type of institution is eligible to participate, i.e. on an equal footing with institutions from EU Member States and other Erasmus+ countries.
• As a Swiss vocational education and training institution (vocational school, association, canton, specialised higher education institution, etc.), you would be able to coordinate, submit and manage cooperation projects.
• As a project partner (coordinator or full partner), you would receive funding directly from the Erasmus+ programme. Funding would generally no longer based on actual costs, but would follow the lump-sum model, which prioritises project implementation.
• As a project partner, you would contribute to the required minimum participation in the consortia. In the case of Cooperation Partnerships Erasmus+, for example, only two further partner institutions from Erasmus+ countries would be required (instead of three, as was previously the case).
• You could continue to participate on a self-funded basis as an ‘associated partner’. However, it would no longer be possible to apply for Swiss funding.
• For Swiss institutions, the need for duplicate applications and reporting – as was customary under the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ – would be eliminated. Everything would be handled through the Erasmus+ programme.
• Only the rules and policy priorities of the Erasmus+ programme would apply. In the case of Cooperation Partnerships specific Swiss funding priorities could be added.

The following sections provide brief descriptions of the Erasmus+ funding opportunities for vocational education and training institutions.

In addition to the learning mobility of individuals, Erasmus+ also supports various forms of inter-institutional cooperation. These are designed to enable vocational education and training institutions to deepen international cooperation, develop innovative approaches and play an active role in shaping the European Education Area. They contribute to the Erasmus+ programme objectives by promoting quality in vocational education and training, driving forward innovation and digitalisation, strengthening social inclusion and helping to tackle societal challenges. Through their transnational nature, these cooperations projects create clear added value / additional benefit and enable a sustainable impact that extends beyond individual projects.

 Erasmus+ unterscheidet folgende zwei Kategorien der institutionellen Zusammenarbeit:

• Leitaktion 2 (KA2) fördert Berufsbildungskooperationen in Form von Partnerschaften und Projekten;
• Leitaktion 3 (KA3) unterstützt hochschulpolitische Zusammenarbeit und Reformprozesse auf europäischer Ebene.

In addition, the Jean Monnet Actions provide funding in the divisions of education and vocational training.

Erasmus+ offers funding opportunities tailored to different needs and ambitions:

Even under the current Swiss arrangement, it is possible to participate in most of these cooperation projects, but only as an associated partner, not as an equal partner. This option would remain available even in the event of a negative decision regarding Erasmus+. 

Erasmus+ distinguishes between decentralised actions, which are managed by the national agencies, and centralised actions, which are managed directly by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) in Brussels.

Decentralised actions are managed and supported by the national agencies (in Switzerland, this is likely to be Movetia). Applications are submitted via the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps platform.. This applies to Cooperation partnerships and smaller partnerships.

Centralised actions are managed by the European Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) in Brussels. Applications are submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, where they are assessed. This applies to Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), Alliances for Innovation, Capacity Building, as well as European Policy Experimentationsand Erasmus Mundus.

Erasmus+ awards funding through calls for proposals, which are usually published annually, mostly in October/November, together with a programme guide. The call for proposals and the programme guide set out the rules, including the application deadlines, for the current call. The national agency may decide whether there is also a second deadline in the autumn for Cooperation partnerships. This is communicated when the call is launched. In addition to the general Call for proposals, further, separate Calls for proposals are sometimes launched, e.g. under Key Action 3 (KA3).

Vocational education and training institutions submit their project ideas by the respective deadlines. The selection of projects under KA2 and KA3 takes place through a competitive process, either at national level (Cooperation partnerships, smaller partnerships) or at European level (other actions). The earliest projects start in the summer, whilst some do not begin until the following year. For all cooperation formats, you can find initial information and receive Counselling advice from Movetia.

EU Member States: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, Cyprus

Third countries associated with Erasmus+: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, United Kingdom (from 2027)

Other countries: Organisations from non-associated third countries may participate as additional partners. However, organisations from non-associated third countries may not act as the applicant or coordinator and do not count towards the minimum number of partners in a consortium. They are excluded from Erasmus+ funding.

Russia and Belarus are entirely excluded from the programme.

Here’s how you can start preparing for Erasmus+ cooperation now:

Get acquainted with the E+ Programme Guide early, particularly the sections on KA2. We also recommend materials from other National Agencies, such as the NA BIBB (Germany) or the Agence Erasmus+ (France). Movetia will be happy to help you find your way around.

On the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform, you will find funded collaboration projects from all programme areas. Use these to get a feel for the language and logic of Erasmus+ applications. Sample applications are also available from Movetia or online.

International cooperation takes time, so approach existing contacts early. Movetia can support you in establishing new partnerships through various networks. To take the first joint planning step, you can submit an application for a Preparatory visit.

Think about what your project idea would look like under both Erasmus+ and the Swiss scheme, taking into account the respective budget frameworks, partner requirements and risks. 

Significantly larger funding amounts are available under Erasmus+; use this time now to think more broadly about your ideas and explore the options for leading a cooperation with your institution.

For personalised project advice, please contact the Vocational Education and Training team: berufsbildung@movetia.ch