International mobility during education enables participants to expand their intercultural, linguistic and professional skills – which is particularly important for young people. Education stakeholders are networking and developing new educational programmes through international cooperation, with the federal government promoting related activities in all areas of education.
Mobility in education: objectives of the federal government and cantons
The federal government and the cantons share a vision that all young people should take part in at least one longer-term exchange or mobility activity, whether in Switzerland or abroad, at some point during their education or as they make the transition to working life. To make this vision a reality they have defined in their common educational policy goals (de / fr / it) that exchange and mobility in education at all levels should be promoted.
The federal government's promotion of international mobility and cooperation in education contributes to this goal. It is aimed at learners of all ages and institutional stakeholders in all areas of education (school education, vocational and professional education and training, higher eduction, adult education and extracurricular youth work), and complements the federal and cantonal measures to promote mobility in Switzerland.
Swiss solution to promote international mobility and cooperation
The federal government coordinates its activities with the EU's education programmes, which has proved to be an effective policy. At this time, Switzerland is not associated to the Erasmus+ 2021–2027 programme. It is currently implementing its own programme, known as the Swiss solution, which is compatible with the Erasmus+ programme.
As part of the Swiss solution, the federal government promotes learning mobility and cooperation activities between Swiss, European and global partners. Participant numbers have increased continuously in recent years: In 2023, the Swiss solution enabled more than 17,000 participants from Switzerland and Europe to supplement their education or training with a stay abroad.
Switzerland's association to Erasmus+
Switzerland's association to Erasmus+ is the Federal Council's declared goal. Negotiations on this topic were part of the negotiations on the overall package between Switzerland and the EU, which were materially concluded on 20 December 2024. The parameters were agreed for participation in EU programmes, and specifically for association to Erasmus+ in 2027 in the negotiated EU Programme Agreement (EUPA). The text of the agreement and the explanatory document (PDF, 233 kB, 10.04.2025) were published on 10 April 2025. The Federal Council will request the required funding for association to Erasmus+ from Parliament as part of the overall dispatch on the regulation of Swiss–EU relations.
Funded activities
Funding activities carried out as part of the Swiss solution are largely organised in accordance with the main priorities of Erasmus+, which makes it possible for Swiss partners to cooperate with partners from Erasmus+ programme countries.
- Learning mobility: International mobility for learners and staff of educational institutions includes individual educational stays at a partner institution abroad, work experience in companies, volunteer activities, group exchanges, continuing education, and teaching activities at partner institutions.
- Institutional cooperation: International cooperation activities between education stakeholders, education authorities, social partners and youth organisations include class exchange projects, study seminars, extracurricular cooperation and the development of joint educational offers and educational innovations. Members of Swiss higher education institutions can also receive funding from the federal government for participation in the EU's European Universities Initiative as associated partners.
Movetia agency puts support measures into practice
Movetia, the Swiss agency for exchange and mobility, implements the funding measures on behalf of SERI. Movetia accepts funding applications and advises applicants. The Movetia website offers detailed information on funding opportunities, conditions and procedures. Movetia also provides information on opportunities for Swiss partners to participate in Erasmus+ activities.
Specialist networks and instruments
The federal government also uses accompanying measures to support funding activities. These include Swiss participation in specialised European networks and the implementation of selected international instruments in the education sector.
- Eurydice: Information network on education in Europe
- Eurodesk: Information network for young people about stays abroad
- Euroguidance: Network to support internationalisation in vocational, study and career guidance (de / fr / it)
- Swiss ENIC: Network to facilitate the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications
- European Qualifications Framework (EQF): Instrument to improve comparability of professional qualifications and skills
- International education conference and exhibitions: The European Association for International Education (EAIE), the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) facilitate networking between universities by holding continent-wide education conferences and exhibitions in Europe, North America and Asia.
Contact
SERI, Gaétan Lagger
International Education Programmes
T +41 58 463 26 74