Facts and figures about Switzerland's participation in Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is more than just an exchange programme. It is a strategic tool for strengthening future skills and for quality and innovation in education. Switzerland's participation is crucial – for young people, educational institutions, and the labour market of tomorrow.
The Federal Council aims at an association with Erasmus+ as of 2027. All information about Erasmus+ in Switzerland can be found on the Erasmus+ advice page.
Shaping Europe's education together: Erasmus+ is the world's largest multilateral education programme and covers all educational levels as well as youth work and sport. It offers opportunities for young people in training, for education staff, and for institutions. At an individual level, exchange experiences strengthen professional, linguistic and personal skills. At a societal level, the programme contributes to the further development of the education area and promotes cooperation, quality and innovation. Its priorities are in line with Switzerland's education policy objectives.
4 facts about the opportunities Erasmus+ offers Switzerland
Fact 1: Erasmus+ is much more than a student exchange programme
Erasmus+ is a strategic tool for educational cooperation. The programme is often referred to as a ‘student exchange programme’, but today it is much more than that. It enables mobility and cooperation projects at all educational levels and sport: from school education, vocational and higher education to adult education and extracurricular youth work. Erasmus+ enables and strengthens:
- Stays abroad/mobility for young people in training and education staff
- Cooperation between organisations and institutions
- Strategic initiatives for the further development of the European Education Area
There is particular potential in cooperation partnerships. They open up opportunities for:
- Exchange of knowledge and experience
- Joint innovation projects
- Development of excellence in education
- Cooperation in the field of research and innovation
Fact 2: Erasmus+ strengthens future skills for qualified professionals
Whether during school education, vocational training, university studies, extracurricular youth work or working life: experience abroad has been proven to strengthen the following future skills:
- Flexibility and resilience
- Problem-solving skills and independence
- Innovative mindset and motivation
- Intercultural communication
These skills are needed to overcome current economic challenges. Switzerland's participation in Erasmus+ helps to address the shortage of skilled workers and to ensure competitiveness.
Fact 3: Erasmus+ ensures visibility and influence
With an association, Switzerland would:
- actively participate in the development of the European education initiative
- contribute its perspectives and share its priorities
- become more independent of the goodwill of its European partners
- have a say in international committees
Fact 4: Erasmus+ is unique
Erasmus+ cannot be replaced by a Swiss solution.
| Parallel programme as a Swiss solution | Erasmus+ association |
|---|---|
| Limited funding opportunities | Access to all funding opportunities |
| Less visibility | Positioning in the European education area |
| Significant expenditure of resources and loss of time | Use of European tools, networks, and structures |
| Swiss institutions and organisations are not considered equivalent partners to E+ programme countries | Equal participation |
| No access to project management | Opportunity to lead and design initiatives and projects |
Figures on Erasmus+ and Switzerland
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2027 The Federal Council aims at an association with Erasmus+ as of 2027.
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More than 15 million participants In 2023, Erasmus+ recorded around 15.1 million participants in mobility activities (Erasmus+ Annual Report 2023).
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30,000 projects More than 30’000 projects were funded by Erasmus+ in 2023.
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26 bilion The amount of money to be invested in Erasmus+ across Europe between 2021 and 2027.
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10,000 persons Persons participated in the alternative programme to Erasmus+ called the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) in 2024. This number has stagnated for several years. The demand for mobility programmes is significantly higher.