Youth and Politics

The Swiss program for Erasmus+ continues to fund "Youth and Politics" projects. However, this project format no longer exists in the European Erasmus+ program. In case of participation in an Erasmus+ project, mobilities in the new European format "Youth Participation Activities" can be financed under the same conditions as "Youth and Politics" previously.

What is a project in the youth and politics sphere? Projects in the youth and politics sphere support the development of youth policy strategies and the active participation of young people in democratic life. This takes place in a dialogue between young people and political decision-makers. The transnational activities in the youth policy sphere are very diverse and range from events and seminars through to debates. What they have in common is that the young participants take an active role in planning, preparing and implementing the projects.

Activities eligible for funding are:

• Events that simulate the functioning of democratic institutions and/or the roles of decision-makers, e.g. transnational youth parliaments.
• Transnational meetings, debates or seminars which facilitate dialogue between young people and those in charge of youth policy.

Projects in the youth and politics sphere are geared towards the “Structured Dialogue”, which, in the Erasmus+ Programme, is supported in connection with the European youth strategy. The Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ does not, however, adopt what it offers 1:1. Thus, within the framework of the Swiss Programme, the transnational nature of the projects is prioritised. 

• Participants: Young people aged between 13 and 30 residing in the country of one of the participating organisations. At least 30 young people must take part in a project in the youth and politics sphere. Youth policy-makers, decision-makers or experts can take part in the project, regardless of their age or origin.
• Duration: At least 2, maximum 14 days (not including travel days). Total project duration including preparation and follow-up evaluation: from 3 to 24 months.
• Location: The youth exchange must take place in Switzerland (Incoming project) or in the country of one of the participating organisations (Outgoing project). In Switzerland, projects can be multilateral, abroad only bilateral.

You will find the qualitative funding criteria on the page submit an application.

• Travel allowance: from 400 to 1000CHF per person for international trips depending on the destination, 50CHF per person for domestic travel.      
• Organisation allowance: 125CHF per person 
• Subsistence allowance: from 41 to 59CHF per day and per person depending on the destination.
• Special needs: Effective eligible costs, max 12'000CHF. 
• The total budget for a Youth and Politics project is limited to 62'000CHF.

These flat rates are valid for projects approved from 2023 onwards. For the detailed list and explanation of the contributions, please see the Overview of Grants. Funding for projects approved before 2023 are listed here.