13.06.2025
As part of the Bilateral Agreements III negotiations, the Federal Council and the
European Commission have agreed on a protocol that will enable Switzerland to participate in
Erasmus+ from 2027. It is now up to Parliament and the Federal Council to
create the necessary conditions to ensure Switzerland’s reassociation with
this forward-looking program.
The undersigned umbrella organizations representing young people and students in Switzerland
welcome the publication of the protocols enabling Switzerland
to participate in European Union programs, in particular Erasmus+. The
joint intention of both parties, as set out in Annex 9 of the protocols, to “enable
Switzerland’s systematic participation in future EU programs” sends a very positive signal to all young people and youth work in Switzerland.
The current replacement program, SEMP, allows only very limited mobility
and focuses almost exclusively on tertiary education. The Protocol I published today
therefore marks a decisive step toward strengthening
youth work and expanding educational pathways, particularly in the field of
vocational education and training.
Furthermore, the undersigned organizations express their particular satisfaction
with the 30 percent price reduction provided for in the protocol. This clear financial
concession by the European Commission should be seen as a positive
sign by the Swiss Parliament and encourage it to take all necessary measures to
facilitate Switzerland’s accession process to Erasmus+.
However, Switzerland’s participation is contingent upon evaluation by a national agency,
a task that will in all likelihood fall to the existing agency Movetia.
The undersigned youth umbrella organizations therefore urge the Federal Council
to begin adapting this national agency to European requirements without delay
and to actively support the efforts already underway.
At the same time, we call on Parliament to revise the Movetia Act without delay if necessary. This process is not only a
necessary condition for Switzerland’s participation in Erasmus+, but will also be an
important milestone in the further development of organizations whose services
are aimed at young people. Accordingly, the interests of young people
must be given priority consideration in this project.
For further information:
VSS:
Sophie Wang
Co-Präsidentin (f/e/d)
sophie.wang@vss-unes.ch
+41 79 290 68 51
Carlotta Ehrenzeller
Co-Generalsekretärin (d/f/e)
gs-sg@vss-unes.ch
+41 31 382 11 71
SAJV:
Vanessa Zehnder
Bereichsleiterin Politik
vanessa.zehnder@sajv.ch
+41 31 326 29 36
Intermundo:
Christine Leimgruber
Geschäftsleiterin
christine.leimgruber@intermundo.ch
+41 31 533 46 00
Yes:
Johann von Graffenried
Generalsekretär
Johann.vongraffenried@y-e-s.ch
+41 79 862 23 92
ESN:
Arnaud Buthey
Präsident
president@esn.ch
+41 79 437 31 99
