European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+
This format promotes large-scale transnational projects under Erasmus+ Key Action 3 (support for policy reform). It enables the practical testing and scaling of policy strategies, often involving public bodies such as education ministries or umbrella organisations.
Overview
For whom
- Swiss institutions at all educational levels, including youth work
Duration
- Swiss institutions at all educational levels, including youth work
Where
- Mainly in Europe
What we fund
- Financial contribution to the Swiss organisation's staff and material costs up to a maximum of 60% of the project costs
What to do
- Find institutions Find European partner institutions and plan the project together, or join an existing project team.
- Submit a funding application for Swiss participation as an 'associated partner'
Deadlines
- Application deadline: irregular and independent of the general Erasmus+ Call for projects in autumn
- Next deadline: EU deadline 8 April / Movetia deadline 22 April
- Project start: same as for Erasmus+ projects
In detail
"European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+ " are a challenging project format from Erasmus+. They test in several European countries, how well certain policy ideas work, what impact they have and whether they can be implemented on a large scale. Examples include micro-certificates, ethical design of AI for education, and European qualification labels for higher education and vocational education and training.
These projects combine strategic planning, sound methodologies and strong European cooperation. The projects often involve five or more educational institutions, and it is expected that public authorities or umbrella organisations will also be involved. Swiss institutions can participate as additional partners. The requirements of the Erasmus+ programme apply. The project must always be led by an institution in an Erasmus+ country.
Associated participation in an Erasmus+ project is partially funded by the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+. When responding to an EU Call for projects, please first check on this website whether Swiss co-funding is available and whether there is a Swiss application deadline."European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+" are part of Key Action 3 Policy Support. The current Erasmus+ Call for projects "European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+" dated 22 December 2025 covers 10 topics. Another topic (Erasmus+ scholarships, probably focusing on higher education/higher vocational education and STEM) has been announced for a later date.
Added value
For institutions:
- You expand or strengthen your network through strategic partnerships with Swiss and European actors.
- You strengthen your innovative capacity by testing new approaches in education policy.
- You contribute to evidence-based European and Swiss policy-making.
- You increase the international visibility and positioning of the Swiss education system.
- You improve the quality and impact of your work by exchanging best practices.
For participants:
- You deepen your expertise by working with European experts.
- You develop skills in project management and international cooperation.
- You gain insights into European education strategies and reform processes.
- You will expand your professional network beyond national borders.
- You will promote your personal and professional development through intercultural cooperation.
Requirements
For institutions:
- The applicant institution must be based in Switzerland.
- Individuals are not eligible to apply.
For the project:
- Swiss participation as an 'associated partner' and its roles and activities are mentioned in the Erasmus+ application.
- The Swiss application is submitted to Movetia at the same time as the corresponding Erasmus+ application, in the same application round of the same year.
- The funding amount is appropriate and proportionate in comparison to the EU partners and the planned activities.
- At least 40% is own or third-party funding.
- No double funding with other Movetia or Erasmus+ funding opportunities
- Swiss participation in an European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+can only be funded if the European Executive Agency (EACEA) approves the funding of the Erasmus+ project at EU level.
Funding criteria
Swiss participation in an European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+ project can only be funded if the European Executive Agency (EACEA) approves funding for the Erasmus+ project at EU level.
Swiss applications will be assessed on the basis of the following quality criteria, with the focus on the Swiss project rather than the entire Erasmus+ project:
- Relevance of the Swiss project (30%)
- Quality of project design and implementation (20%)
- Project team & agreement (20%)
- Impact & results (30%)
Further information can be found in the guidelines.
Funding amounts
- A maximum of 60% of the Swiss organisation's staff and material costs directly related to the project. You must provide at least 40% of the project funding yourself or finance it from other sources (funding from Movetia or Erasmus+ is excluded).
- We reserve the right to reduce the amount of funding requested.
Procedure
In principle, all collaborators and members can initiate a project. The funding application is submitted on behalf of the Swiss institution.
Follow these steps to carry out a project:
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1. Develop a project idea and form a project team
- Use your personal or professional network.
- Attend (international) conferences.
- Find out more at find an exchange partner.
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2. Optional Seek counselling from Movetia
- Contact us to better understand the project format. We will be happy to provide you with individual counselling to find a suitable funding format for your project or to clarify questions about planning, submission and implementation. The consultation can take place by telephone, online or on site.
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3. Plan your project
- If possible, participate in the design of the project and help write the Erasmus+ application. Ensure that your participation is described and justified in the Erasmus+ application.
- At the same time, write your Swiss funding application. To do this, you will need the following texts in particular:
- Project description with the objectives, activities and expected results of the project. Do not forget to mention the added value / additional benefit for the Swiss education system.
- Define the specific role you will play as a Swiss institution in the Erasmus+ European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+ . Set out the arrangements in a cooperation agreement.
- Project implementation: Describe the Swiss sub-project in the form of work packages. Specify the objectives, measures and activities, responsibilities, milestones, duration and location, quality assurance indicators and budget for each package.
- Describe the results and expected impact of the project for Switzerland and how you will disseminate the results.
- Project financing: Information on own contribution and third-party funding. Movetia's contribution may cover a maximum of 60% of the total budget.
- Would you like to meet potential project partners locally to get to know each other better and work together on the project? You can receive financial support for a preparatory visit.
- Do you have people with disabilities or physical, mental or chronic illnesses in your Swiss project team, or are you planning an inclusive event? You must budget for the additional costs of special needs when submitting your application. It is not possible to apply for additional funds for this purpose retrospectively in cooperation projects. You can find more information under Inclusion and equal opportunities.
- Consider environmentally friendly means of transport in your planning. Find out more about green mobility.
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4. Submit funding application
- The project management submits the Erasmus+ application to the Executive Agency (EACEA) in Brussels. To participate in the project as an "associated partner" and apply for Swiss funding from us, please submit your application by email.
- Please adhere to our deadline, which is normally two weeks after the Erasmus+ deadline.
- Take a look at the application forms as early as possible to familiarise yourself with the requirements. We provide the application forms together with the Call.
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5. Inform Movetia about the Erasmus+ funding decision
Swiss participation in an European Policy Experimentations Erasmus+ can only be funded if the Executive Agency in Brussels (EACEA) approves funding for the Erasmus+ project at EU level. We are therefore awaiting the funding decision. Please let us know as soon as possible whether the Erasmus+ project will be funded or not.
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6. Funding decision and contract
- If the Erasmus+ decision is positive, we will review your application.
- You will usually receive a response within two months with information about the evaluation and the approved funding amount.
- Following a positive decision, we will send you a contract.
- The project start date is specified in the Erasmus+ project and applies analogously to Swiss participation.
- Within 30 days of receiving the signed contract, you will receive 40% of the funding amount. You will receive a further 40% once at least 70% of the first tranche has been spent and, at the earliest, in the following year, and 20% after the final report has been reviewed.
- Payment will only be made to institutions based in Switzerland.
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7. Implementing the project
- The project starts and all planned activities take place during the project period.
- Do you have people with disabilities or physical, mental or chronic illnesses in your Swiss project team, or are you planning an inclusive event? You must budget for the additional costs of special needs when submitting your application. It is not possible to apply for additional funds for this purpose retrospectively in cooperation projects. You can find more information under inclusion and equal opportunities.
- You can notify us of any changes to your project (e.g. duration, project partner, budget) using a separate form. This application must be reviewed and approved by us.
- During the project period, the results should be disseminated continuously – take part in conferences, publish articles about the project and talk about it in your network. Please mention the funding provided by Movetia and tag us online: Reporting on projects.
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8. Submit interim and final reports
- During the project period, you must submit an interim report and, within 60 days of the end of the project period, a final report. The forms for this are available online at Application forms Call 2026: Cooperation projects and include information on project management, project implementation and results. The final report must also include a list of the actual costs for the entire project (please keep the receipts). We will inform you as soon as the forms are available and reports are due.
After reviewing the final report, you will receive the final instalment of 20% provided that the activities have been carried out, the budget has been spent and at least 40% of your own contributions have been reported. If you have incurred fewer costs, we will pay out any remaining amounts or issue a refund.
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9. Reporting on the project
- Implement the planned communication measures. Be sure to mention the funding provided by Movetia. We will provide you with a logo and text modules for this purpose.
- Share the content widely through your institution's channels, e.g. newsletters, social media, blogs, etc. This will present your institution as innovative, open-minded and an attractive school/employer.
- Contact us to increase your reach, e.g. through a Magazine article on our website : Report on the project
Q & A
Is it possible for an application for a funding amount as part of an associated participation in an Erasmus+ project to be rejected by Movetia?
Yes, this is possible in principle. There are three main reasons:
If an Erasmus+ project is rejected at EU level, the Swiss application cannot be approved either.
If the Added value / additional benefit of Swiss participation for Switzerland is not convincingly demonstrated, the project can also be rejected.
In principle, we expect to see increased competition for Swiss funding for international educational cooperation programmes such as those supported by Movetia in the coming years. We may have to turn down projects due to limited funding.
What does Movetia understand by an "institution" / "organisation"?
By "institution" or "organisation" we mean an entity that is involved in educational activities. This includes schools, universities, vocational training centres, associations, foundations or other structures. These institutions must have a formal framework for their activities and be legally recognised in Switzerland. Collaborators working for an institution can start a project with the approval of their management.
What are possible partner institutions?
Possible partner institutions for international cooperation include different types of educational and vocational training institutions such as schools, universities, vocational training centres, public authorities, associations and companies active in the field of education. These partners should come from different countries and enable genuine transnational cooperation to develop innovative educational projects, exchange practices or solve common educational challenges.
