Centres of Vocational Excellence Erasmus+
With the project format «Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)» Erasmus+ promotes excellence projects in vocational education and training. CoVE create ecosystems of competence that are both locally anchored and internationally networked. They bring together vocational education and training providers, companies, social partners, research and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to social and economic challenges and to strengthen competitiveness and social inclusion in Europe – with the participation of Switzerland.
Overview
For whom
Vocational training providers, companies, social partners, and other institutions involved in vocational training and the world of work
Duration
Usually 4 years
Where
- Mainly in Europe
- Additional partner institutions worldwide possible
What we fund
Financial contribution to the Swiss organization's personnel and material costs up to a maximum of 60% of the project costs.
What to do
- Swiss institutions form a consortium with European partner institutions and plan the project together
- The institution's management submits a funding application for Swiss participation as an “associated partner”
Deadlines
- Application deadline: annually in autumn
- Next deadline: 17 September 2026 (EU deadline: 3 September 2026)
- Project start: same as for Erasmus+ projects
In detail
Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) go beyond individual initiatives: they connect existing structures of excellence and develop them further. The focus is on building competence ecosystems that enable close cooperation between vocational education and training and the world of work. CoVEs thus create the framework conditions for sustainably anchoring innovative teaching and learning models, applied research, and entrepreneurial initiatives, and for making vocational education and training systems fit for the future.
Strengthening cooperation
The Centers of Vocational Excellence pursue a bottom-up approach and promote cooperation on two levels:
- National/local: Involvement of a broad spectrum of actors in regional contexts who work together to further develop vocational education and training and strengthen the regional economy.
- International: Cooperation between stakeholders with common sectoral interests or societal challenges to develop innovative solutions and joint approaches.
The project activities are divided into three clusters: teaching and learning, cooperation and partnerships, and governance and financing instruments. Each project must demonstrate results in all three clusters and meet minimum requirements: at least four activities from cluster 1, three from cluster 2, and two from cluster 3.
Examples of activities:
- Development of innovative teaching and learning opportunities that are closely linked to the world of work
- Establishing joint structures for applied research, innovation, and knowledge transfer
- Promotion of entrepreneurial initiatives by learners,
- Testing new cooperation and financing instruments
- Supporting professional mobility and the upskilling/reskilling of skilled workers.
Swiss institutions as associated partners of "Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)”
Swiss institutions can participate as associated partners. The requirements of the Erasmus+ program apply, and management is the responsibility of an institution in an Erasmus+ program country. Swiss institutions do not receive EU funding, but their participation can be financed by Movetia. To this end, Swiss institutions submit an application for funding for their participation to Movetia in parallel with the EU application. Their involvement and role in the various activities must be clearly described in the EU application.
Requirements
For institutions:
- All recognized Swiss vocational training providers, universities, companies, industry associations, social partners, authorities, and other institutions active in vocational training or the world of work are eligible to apply.
For the project:
- Swiss participation as an "associated partner" and its roles and activities must be clearly stated in the Erasmus+ application.
- The Swiss application is submitted to Movetia at the same time as the European Erasmus+ application, in the same application round of the same year.
- The funding contribution must be appropriate and proportionate in comparison with the EU partners and the planned activities.
- At least 40% must be own or third-party funds.
- No double funding with other Movetia or Erasmus+ funding offers.
Funding amounts
- A maximum of 60% of the Swiss organization's personnel 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.
Funding criteria
Swiss participation in an Erasmus+ "Centers of Vocational Excellence" project can only be funded if the European Executive Agency (EACEA) approves funding for the project at EU level.
Swiss applications are evaluated on the basis of the following quality criteria, with a focus on the Swiss project and not the entire Erasmus+ project:
- Relevance of the project (30%)
- Quality of project design and implementation (20%)
- Project team and cooperation (20%)
- Impact and results (30%)
Procedure
In principle, all collaborators and members can initiate a project. The funding application is submitted in the name of the Swiss institution.
Follow the following steps to get your project started:
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1. Develop project idea and form project team
You have a project idea and would like to develop it further with a cooperation project. Look for suitable partner institutions in Erasmus+ countries that have expertise in this division and are interested in developing it further in a Center of Vocational Excellence. You can also join a project that is already being planned but has not yet been submitted.
- Use your personal or professional network.
- Attend (international) conferences.
- Get more information on the topic find an exchange partner.
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2. Optional: Get counselling from Movetia
- Contact us to gain a better understanding of the project format. We will be happy to advise you individually to find a suitable funding format for your project or to clarify questions about planning, submission and implementation. The consultation can take place over the phone, online or on site.
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3. Plan project
- If possible, take part in the design of the project and co-write the Erasmus+ application. Make sure that your participation is described and justified in the Erasmus+ application.
- At the same time, write your Swiss funding application. You will need the following texts in particular:
- Project description with the objectives, activities and expected results of the project. Don't forget to mention the Added value / additional benefit for the Swiss education system.
- Define your specific role as a Swiss institution in the Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE). Record 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 check indicators and budget.
- Describe the results and expected impact of the project for Switzerland and how you will disseminate the results.
- Project funding: 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 on site to get to know each other better and work together on the project? You will receive financial support for a Preparatory visit.
- Consider environmentally friendly means of transport in the planning of your project. Find out more about green mobility.
- Are you integrating people with disabilities or physical, mental, or chronic illnesses into 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. For more information, see Inclusion and equal opportunities.
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4. Submit funding application
- The project management team will submit 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 to international@movetia.ch.
- Keep to our deadline, usually two weeks after the Erasmus+ deadline.
- Open the application as early as possible to familiarise yourself with the requirements. We open the application forms together with the Call, usually in December. You can save the application temporarily and continue working on it later. If you are submitting an application for the first time, you will need to register once.
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5. Inform Movetia about Erasmus+ funding decision
- Swiss participation in a Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) can only be funded if the Executive Agency in Brussels (EACEA) authorises funding for the Erasmus+ project at EU level. We are therefore waiting for the funding decision. 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 notification within 2 months with information on the evaluation and the approved funding amount.
- After a positive decision, we will send you a contract.
- The project start date is defined in the Erasmus+ project and applies analogously to Swiss participation.
- You will receive 40% of the funding amount within 30 days of receiving the signed contract. You will receive a further 40% when at least 70% of the first instalment has been spent and at the earliest in the following year, 20% after the final report has been reviewed.
- Payments are made exclusively to institutions based in Switzerland.
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7. Implement project
- The project starts, all planned activities take place during the project period.
- You can use a separate form to notify us of any changes to your project (e.g. duration, project partner, budget). This must be checked and approved by Movetia.
- During the project period, the results should be continuously disseminated - take part in conferences, publish articles about the project and talk about it in your network. Make reference to the Movetia funding and tag us online: Spread the word.
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8. Submit interim and final report
- During the project period, you shall submit an interim report as contractually agreed and, within 60 days of the end of the project period, a final report. The forms for this are available online and include information on project management, project implementation and results. The final report must also include a breakdown of the actual costs for the entire project (keep the receipts). We will inform you as soon as the forms are activated and reports are due.
- After the final report has been reviewed, you will receive the last 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 shown. If you had lower costs, we will pay out any remaining amounts or make a reclaim.
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9. Spread the word
- The results and products of the funded projects should be shared as widely as possible and made available to other stakeholders in the education system – the concept for this is part of your funding application. Be sure to mention the funding from Movetia. We provide the logo and text modules.
- Share the content widely via your institution's channels, e.g. newsletter, social media, blog, etc. In this way, you present your institution as innovative, open-minded and an attractive school/employer.
- Contact us to increase your reach, e.g. by placing a magazine article on our website.
