International cooperation for collaboration and innovation

In international cooperation, educational institutions work together on projects for educational practice - under Swiss leadership or with Erasmus+. Educational institutions can work together on a strategic or policy-oriented basis.

What it's all about

As part of a cooperation project, educational institutions work with partner institutions from abroad on joint challenges and develop solutions for their discipline, sector or institution. For example, they develop new teaching materials, innovative forms of teaching, joint educational programmes or test the relevance and effectiveness of political priorities in an international context. In this way, they contribute to an innovative and forward-looking education system. 

You can realise cooperation, led by Swiss institutions or by collaborating in an Erasmus+ project. Cooperation led by Swiss institutions are the lowest-threshold format and are also suitable for institutions and organisations without international cooperation experience. Erasmus+ project formats involve more partner institutions and have additional requirements. Cooperation partnerships enable a wide range of projects. The alliances for innovation and the future- and policy-oriented projects are cross-divisional and cross-sector formats that pursue very specific objectives. 

  • Thematic and strategic cooperation relevant to Swiss educational practice in collaboration with institutions abroad

  • For institutions and organisations from all educational levels (School education, Vocational education and training, Adult education and Youth work)

  • Swiss project management or participation in Erasmus+ formats

  • Application by a Swiss institution

  • Application deadline 1-2 times a year, depending on the format 

Testimonials

Learning from the world's inequalities

Organising international mobilities with art institutions in politically fragile countries is challenging - but possible. This is demonstrated by an international cooperation project that the ZHdK has realised in collaboration with educational institutions in Abkhazia and Cuba.

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How an exchange benefits employability

How can the global skills developed during international mobility impact on employability? This cooperation project between Switzerland and Tunisia provides the answer.

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Internationale Kooperation verringert Ausbildungsabbrüche

Ein vielversprechendes Projekt des Schweizerischen Verbands für Weiterbildung versucht die Ausbildungsabbrüche in der Nachholbildung zu reduzieren. Die ehemalige Projektleiterin Martina Fleischli spricht über ihre Erfahrungen sowie die Vorteile der internationalen Kooperation. 

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International cooperation strengthens occupational therapy training

As part of a strategic partnership between six universities, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW participates in an innovative project for prospective occupational therapists in Switzerland and Europe. The aim is to improve the quality of training.

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How cooperation can overcome challenges

Global challenges affect us all. International cooperation projects can help to overcome them. A project in the social field at SUPSI attempts to solve a social problem with international cooperation.

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Exchange between universities from Madagascar and Switzerland

A cooperation project between the University of Lausanne and the University of Antananarivo enabled students in the UNIL's Master's degree programme in geography to put what they had learned into practice and gain field experience.

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Neue Tools für die Schuldenprävention

Finanzdienstleistungen werden immer komplexer und digitaler. Die Vermittlung von finanziellen Grundkompetenzen ist eine wichtige Aufgabe in der Weiterbildung und Schuldenprävention. Einrichtungen der Erwachsenenbildung aus acht Ländern haben deshalb im Projekt Managing Money gemeinsam Tools zum Umgang mit Geld entwickelt.

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Added value

For institutions:

  • They create innovative teaching opportunities and organisational forms.
  • They promote multilingualism and intercultural skills.
  • You anchor a culture of mobility and cooperation in your institution.
  • They increase their competitiveness in Switzerland and internationally.
  • You intensify the international network and strengthen the internationalisation of your institution.

For participants:

  • You will receive fresh ideas, develop new approaches for practical application and develop your personal skills.
  • You will gain work experience in an international project.
  • You strengthen your international network.

Options

  • Cooperation coordinated by Swiss institutions

    • Thematic cooperation up to 2 years

    • For institutions of all educational levels including youth work

    • Overall project coordinated by Swiss organisation

    • Worldwide

    • At least one foreign partner institution

    • Application deadline: annually, every March 

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  • Cooperation Partnership Erasmus+

    • Thematic collaboration for 1-3 years

    • For institutions of all educational levels including youth work

    • Participation in an Erasmus+ project

    • In Europe and possibly beyond

    • With at least 3 institutions from 3 Erasmus+ countries 

    • Application deadline: twice a year, usually in March and October

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  • Alliance for Innovation Erasmus+

    • Strategic collaboration over 2-4 years

    • For vocational and higher education institutions

    • Participation in an Erasmus+ project

    • In Europe and possibly beyond

    • With at least 8 institutions 

    • Application deadline: annually, usually in March

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  • Forward-looking projects Erasmus+

    • Future-orientated cooperation for 1-3 years

    • For institutions of all educational levels 

    • Participation in an Erasmus+ project

    • In Europe and possibly beyond

    • With at least 3-6 institutions from Erasmus+ countries

    • Application deadline: usually annually in spring 

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Similar funding opportunities

  • International cooperation for excellence

    Bei den Erasmus+ Exzellenzpartnerschaften steht die strategische internationale Zusammenarbeit über mehrere Jahre im Zentrum. Schweizer Bildungsinstitutionen, die eine strategische Veränderung im Schweizer Bildungssystem, an ihrer Organisation oder in einem Fachbereich anstossen wollen, erarbeiten gemeinsam mit Kolleg:innen an ausländischen Bildungsinstitutionen mögliche Lösungen für geteilte institutionelle Herausforderungen. «Europäische Hochschulen» unterstützen Reformen im Hochschulsektor, «Zentren der beruflichen Exzellenz» unterstützen Reformen im Berufsbildungssektor. 

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To all funding opportunities