Taking part in exchange and mobility projects is an enriching experience: particularly in terms of personal development and the acquisition of various skills. Exchange and mobility opportunities should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their personal situation. Movetia therefore promotes equal opportunities and inclusion to enable as many people as possible to participate in mobility projects.

Defining equal opportunities and inclusion in the context of exchange and mobility


The situation of people and the obstacles they face can be manifold and vary according to the context. Movetia wants to support through different measures people whose access to national and international mobility is made difficult. The following situations (non-exhaustive list) can influence participation and access to formal and non-formal education, cross-border mobility and democratic and social processes:  
 

  • Disabilities: people with physical, mental or cognitive disabilities
  • Health problems: e.g. people with chronic diseases, serious medical problems, mental illnesses, etc.
  • Cultural differences: e.g. people with an immigrant background; people from national, linguistic or ethnic minorities, etc.
  • Economic barriers: e.g. people living in difficult financial conditions, with debts or in poverty; people in precarious employment, etc.
  • Social barriers: e.g. people discriminated against on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation or religion; people with substance abuse problems; single parents; (former) prisoners, etc.
  • Barriers related to education and training systems: e.g. people with learning difficulties, people who are not in education, employment or training, etc.
  • Geographical barriers: e.g. people from rural and peripheral areas without access to certain offers; people from problem areas (e.g. with increased environmental pollution or sensitive neighbourhoods), etc.

Obstacles and difficulties are determined by the prevailing context, sometimes specific to each country. Not everyone who finds themselves in one of the situations described is automatically disadvantaged in terms of exchange and mobility.

Through which measures does Movetia support equal opportunities and inclusion?


Financial support for the participation of people with special needs

Movetia financially supports the participation of people with special needs in exchanges and mobility. “Special Needs Support" refers to all additional costs related to the participation of people with disabilities or physical, mental or chronic illnesses. The term "additional costs" refers to the comparison with the costs of participants without special needs.

Examples of possible eligible costs are

  • Cost of a sign language interpreter
  • Additional transport costs for wheelchair users
  • ...

Reimbursement of eligible costs for persons with special needs can only happen through Swiss institutions whose project has been financed by Movetia.

If the participation of people with disabilities is already known at the time of the application, the notification of requirements can be submitted at the same time as the application. If it becomes apparent later, during the course of the project, that people with special needs wish to participate in the project, the notification of requirements can be submitted as soon as possible, but at the latest with the final report. 

Please note that when completing the notification of requirements, the following information must be provided:

  • Details of the contact person and the person authorised to sign on behalf of the project promoter
  • Information about the person with special needs
  • Brief description of the special needs
  • List of expected additional costs
  • Incoming mobility: confirmation of the need for support by the sending organisation
  • Outgoing mobility: confirmation of the host organisation’s willingness to host

Additional information and tools


Are you interested in this topic and want to learn more? Here are some links to resources on the topic of inclusion and equal opportunities

Intersectoral:

Youth work:

Adult education: