Study visits is one of the key actions of the transversal programme of the Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-13 (LLP) that was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 5 November 2006 (Decision 1720/2006/EC, OJ L 327, 24.11.2006.).
Study visits support policy development and cooperation at European level in lifelong learning, notably in the context of the Lisbon process and the Education and Training 2010 work programme, as well as the Bologna and Copenhagen processes and their successors.
A study visit is a short-term visit of three to five days for a small group of specialists and decision-makers representing various groups of education and vocational training. They are stakeholders who want to examine a particular aspect of lifelong learning in another participating country. The groups normally consist of 10 to15 participants.
Study visits are organised locally or regionally and coordinated by the National Agency (list of National Agencies of the participating countries).
The programme is open to nationals or permanent residents of 27 EU Member States, EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and candidate countries (Turkey).
The study visits provide a forum for discussion, exchange and learning on themes of common interest and on European and national priorities. By exchanging innovative ideas and practices, participants promote the quality and transparency of their education and training systems. Furthermore, during the study visits participants have an opportunity to establish professional contacts that might potentially be used for developing new projects and creating networks.
To date, some 26 800 education specialists have taken part in the Arion study visits programme and some 11 400 vocational training specialists have taken part in Cedefop study visits. In 2006/07, Arion awarded some 2200 individual mobility grants, while in 2006, 842 participants took part in Cedefop study visits. You can read more on recent facts, experiences and impressions here.
Cedefop coordinates the programme of study visits for education and vocational training specialists and policy-makers as from
1 January 2008.
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