Negotiations between Switzerland and the EU over the Swiss participation in the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programmes (LLP) are in full swing. At the moment, countries participating in the LLP comprise the 27 EU member states as well as Turkey, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland, however, currently partakes in the Erasmus part of the LLP on a voluntary basis, i.e. without Community funding.

One crucial step on the Swiss side was taken this month by the nomination of the national foundation "ch Stiftung", which will oversee the country’s participation in the Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action Programme. The nomination of a national agency is a precondition for “joining the club“.

If all deadlines are met, Switzerland would be admitted in early 2009.

CH Stiftung