Erasmus+ for School Education
The Federal Council aims to participate in the European education programme Erasmus+ by 2027. This would give Switzerland access to additional funding options, partnerships, and networks across Europe. Find out what a potential participation in Erasmus+ would entail, and how you can prepare for it.
The intended participation in Erasmus+ would bring about new opportunities for international cooperation in school education. Not only could pupils and teachers take part in learning mobilities abroad (mobilitities), but the programme would also support joint projects between schools and other educational institutions and their partners in Europe (cooperations). These activities promote skills development and international networking in schools, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience. They strengthen international networking and support the further development of the Swiss education system.
In case Switzerland becomes associated to and participates in Erasmus+ from 2027 onward, international mobility projects organised by schools and cooperation projects in the field of school education would no longer be funded through the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+, but through Erasmus+. This would bring about new rules and funding parameters while at the same time offering additional opportunities for projects, partnerships, and international networks.
Why Erasmus+ is of vital importance for school education
Switzerland’s full participation in the international education programme Erasmus+ would have the following advantages for Swiss schools and educational institutions:
- More funding: a larger budget for projects and exchange.
- More opportunities: Access to international programmes and tools, e.g. eTwinning or the European programmes for teacher training and continuing education (Teacher Academies).
- Better networking: Access to the European network of schools and educational organisations, for which Switzerland currently is a non-eligible partner.
- Greater flexibility: Swiss schools and educational institutions would be able to act as coordinators of Erasmus+ cooperation projects and implement their ideas as leading partners (which is not possible at present).
Projects for 2027: Planning
If Switzerland were to participate in the Erasmus+ education programme from 2027 onwards, international mobility and cooperation projects in the field of school education would no longer be funded through the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+. Instead, funding would be provided by the European programme Erasmus+. This would entail new rules and funding parameters. While the funding opportunities remain similar in some respects, there are crucial differences that you should take into account when planning a project. You can find the main funding criteria on the subpages on mobilities and cooperations.
Applicants need to design their project proposals for 2027 in alignment with the funding opportunities and parameters of the European Erasmus+ programme. At the same time, they should be prepared to submit their project under the current Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ in case the Swiss Parliament won’t approve Switzerland’s association with Erasmus+ by December 2026. Movetia will support you throughout this process, keep you informed about the effective funding opportunities and parameters and guide your trough the next steps. Below you can find out more about the Erasmus+ funding opportunities:
Key Action 1 (KA1) – Learning mobility of individuals
Key Action 1 (KA1) supports international mobility projects for general-education schools and other institutions of school education. Teachers, school principals, and other school staff can gain new experiences and build networks across Europe through job shadowing, continuing education or teaching placements abroad. Pupils can also attend school abroad or work together on projects with pupils from abroad, thus expanding their horizons and acquiring intercultural competences. The funding opportunities largely correspond with those currently offered by Movetia and are supplemented by additional support for inclusion, sustainable travel, and the option of hosting trainee teachers from abroad.
Key action 2 (KA2) – Cooperation between organisations and institutions
Key Action 2 (KA2) supports cooperation between schools, school authorities, teacher training institutions, and other organisations involved in school education across Europe. The partners jointly develop projects on a topic of their choice, exchange experiences and devise new approaches for practical application. Various funding formats are available depending on the project’s objectives and scope. Swiss organisations can either coordinate projects or participate as partners.
Key Action 3 (KA3) – Support for policy development and policy cooperation
Key Action 3 (KA3) supports cooperation to further develop education policy in Europe. It supports projects submitted by schools and other institutions of school education focused on democracy education as well as the participation of teacher training institutions in Teacher Academies to strengthen the initial and continuing education of teachers.
Erasmus+ priorities
Erasmus+ supports projects which are aligned with the programme’s priorities. The horizontal priorities apply to all areas of education and to all Erasmus+ projects. In addition to the horizontal priorities, thematic priorities apply to school education, addressing current challenges and developments in the education sector.
Horizontal priorities
Projects should contribute to:
- strengthening democracy education and shared European values
- promoting sustainability and environmentally conscious behaviour (Green Erasmus)
- supporting inclusion and diversity
- developing digital literacy and media literacy
Priorities in school education
Projects should contribute to:
- developing basic skills and key competences, tackling learning disadvantages and preventing early school leaving
- promoting well-being at school
- supporting teachers, school principals, and other educational professionals
- increasing interest and participation in mathematics, computing, science and technology (STEM), improving performance in STEM education and encouraging girls’ interest in STEM subjects
- developing high-quality systems for early childhood care, education. and upbringing
- supporting the response of European education and training systems to the war in Ukraine
Useful platforms and tools
Joining the Erasmus+ programme would provide schools and other institutions involved in school education with access to the European Commission’s platforms and tools.
European Commission’s Erasmus+ website: Information and guides on the programme
European School Education Platform (ESEP): A central online platform for schools and professionals in the field of school education, featuring a partner-finding tool and the integrated exchange platform eTwinning.
Erasmus+ Project Results: A database containing information on all Erasmus+ projects funded to date and their outcomes.
SALTO: Events for international networking and knowledge-building through Erasmus projects
Online Language Support (OLS): Free online language support for participants in Erasmus+ projects, including language tests and learning resources to help them prepare for their stay abroad.
Further information
Contact
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