International exchange programme launched in Wales
The Welsh Government has announced a new international learning exchange programme, following the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus+ scheme.
The Welsh Government says this will "fill the gaps" left by the government's replacement Turing scheme, including, "the commitment to long-term funding, the retention of the principle of two-way exchanges and the inclusion of youth work."
The new scheme – which will run from 2022 to 2026 - will be supported by an investment of £65m from the Welsh Government.
The Programme will provide funding to enable students, staff and learners across universities, Further Education and Vocational Education and Training, Adult Education, youth work settings and schools to undertake a period of structured learning or work experience overseas, as well as enabling strategic partnerships.
A fundamental principle of the programme will be reciprocity. Where necessary, the programme will fund costs related to the inward mobility of learners, teachers and young people from partner organisations abroad. This will enable existing partnerships which have been built up under Erasmus + to continue and help to create new ones.
The scheme aims to enable 15,000 participants from Wales to go on overseas mobility exchanges over the first four years, with 10,000 participants coming to study or work in Wales.
Cardiff University has agreed to take on the detailed development of the programme over the next 12 months, working with an advisory board of stakeholders from across the education and youth sectors, with funded activities getting underway in 2022/3.
While Welsh institutions will be able to participate in the UK Government’s Turing Scheme in 2021/2, they will also continue to benefit from Erasmus+ exchanges deferred from last year due to the pandemic.
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