Getting ready for ESCI+
International Staff Week 2026
From 23-27 November 2026, the FHV, the University of Liechtenstein and West University of Timișoara will welcome colleagues for a unique cross-border Staff Week dedicated to the future of Erasmus+ mobility in higher education.
At the heart of the week is a shared learning journey: translating the European ESCI+ roadmap into practical institutional roadmaps.
Through expert inputs, peer exchange and hands-on work, participants will explore current developments, reflect on past implementation experiences, and define concrete next steps for their own institution.
Why participate?
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Gain practical insights into digital Erasmus+ mobility processes and current ESCI developments
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Translate the European ESCI+ roadmap into concrete next steps for your own institution
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Learn from peers and ESCI Champion institutions
Who should join?
- International Office staff or Erasmus+ mobility coordinators
- Digital officers or IT colleagues involved in the implementation of the European Student Card Initiative (ESCI)
- Colleagues working hands-on with digital mobility workflows, Inter-Institutional Agreements, Digital Learning Agreements, Nominations or related processes
Applications are closed
The application period for the International Staff Week “Getting ready for ESCI+” ended on 30 September 2026. Thank you for your interest and for the thoughtful applications we received. Applicants will be informed individually by email about the outcome of the selection process.
Your Learning Journey
From European Roadmap to Institutional Action
- The journey starts in the preparatory online session with an introduction to the ESCI+ roadmap and an example of how FHV translates European-level goals into institutional priorities, milestones and actions. Participants will then prepare their own institutional roadmap as a pre-task and bring it to the Staff Week.
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During the physical week, the roadmaps will be revisited through peer presentations, hands-on sessions and a dedicated roadmap sparring format, allowing participants to refine their roadmap based on what they have learned.
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By the end of the week, participants should leave with a clearer understanding of their institution’s next steps and how to bring their roadmap to life within their own context.
Programme
Please note that programme content and timings are subject to change.
Setting the Direction: From the ESCI+ Roadmap to Institutional Action
12 November 2026 | 14:30–16:15 CET
Colleagues from the European Commission’s ESCI Team will introduce the ESCI+ roadmap and answer participants’ questions.
FHV will then share practical experiences of translating European-level goals into institutional priorities and actions, drawing on the current Erasmus+ programme period and preparations for the next.
The session will conclude with guidance on the institutional roadmap task outlined under “Your Learning Journey”. Joining details will be sent to confirmed participants by email.
Attendance and costs
- Activities shown in italics and marked with an asterisk (*) are optional.
- “Included” means that the stated meal, refreshments, transport or activity is provided by the organisers at no additional cost to participants.
- “At your own expense” means that participants pay for it themselves.
Time |
Meeting point |
Agenda |
|
Monday23.11.2026 |
08:30 - 09:00 |
Foyer Hochschulstrasse |
Registration |
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09:00 - 10:30 |
Room W303 |
Welcome & getting to know each other |
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10:30 - 11:00 |
Room U227 |
Coffee break |
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|
11:00 - 12:00 |
Room U227 |
Group Photo & Campus Tour |
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12:00 - 13:30 |
Lunch break |
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13:30 - 15:00 | Room W303 |
Session: Looking back & ways forward (Part 1) |
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15:00 - 15:30 | Room U227 |
Coffee break |
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15:30 - 16:30 | Room W303 |
Session: Looking back & ways forward (Part 2) |
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18:00 | Foyer Hochschulstraße |
Visit to Dornbirn Christmas Market* |
Tuesday24.11.2026 |
09:30 - 10:00 | Room U227 | Morning coffee & informal exchange* (included) |
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10:00 - 12:00 | Room W303 | Session: Where do we come from - where are we going Insights on the transition from ESCI to ESCI+ from the National Agencies Perspective and exchange with Digital Officers from Austria and Liechtenstein |
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12:00 - 13:30 |
Lunch break |
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13:30 - 15:00 | Room U430 |
Session: Testing Digital Mobility in Practice Hands-on live testing sessions focusing on selected digital mobility processes (e.g. nominations) Computers will be provided. Please bring your laptop if your institution’s EWP system cannot be accessed via a web browser on the provided computers. |
Wednesday25.11.2026 |
07:45 - 09:00 |
Foyer Hochschulstrasse |
Bus transfer to Liechtenstein (included) |
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09:00 - 12:00 | Cross-Border Learning in Liechtenstein
Introduction to the University of Liechtenstein |
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12:00 - 12:45 | Lunch hosted by the University of Liechtenstein (included) |
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12:45 - 15:00 | Liechtenstein sightseeing tour (included) |
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15:00 - 16:00 | Free time in Vaduz Personal purchases and refreshments at your own expense |
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16:00 - 17:00 |
Bus transfer back to Dornbirn |
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Thursday26.11.2026 |
09:30 - 10:00 |
Room U227 | Morning coffee & informal exchange* (included) |
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|
10:00 - 12:00 |
Room W303 |
Session: European Student Card in Real Life |
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12:00 - 13:30 |
Lunch break |
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|
13:30 - 15:00 |
Room W303 |
Session: Re-visiting Your Institutional ESCI+ Roadmap |
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15:00 - 15:30 |
Room U227 |
Coffee break |
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|
15:30 - 16:30 |
Room W303 |
Networking activity* |
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17:30 - 18:00 |
Foyer Hochschulstraße |
Short walk & bus ride to Restaurant* |
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|
18:00 |
Gasthof Dreiländerblick |
Community Dinner* |
Friday27.11.2026 |
09:30 - 10:00 |
Room U227 |
Morning coffee & informal exchange* |
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10:00 - 12:00 | Room W303 | Session: Harvesting the Week - From Insights to Action Reflection on key take-aways, shared learning and next steps for each participant’s institutional roadmap. |
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12:00 - 13:30 | tba | Farewell lunch (included) |
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between 13:30 - 15:00 |
tba | Individual meetings* (only for participants who have requested one within their application) |
*optional attendance
Please note: We intentionally designed the schedule with space for informal exchange and personal work time – so you won’t miss your emails or urgent tasks back home.
Practical information
Participation fee
There is no participation fee. However, participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs, as well as personal expenses such as lunches and the optional visit to the Christmas market.
Explore Vorarlberg & Liechtenstein
The physical programme will be based in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg. Participants can book their accommodation in Dornbirn for the entire week, as the Liechtenstein programme will be organised as a one-day excursion. No change of accommodation will be required during the week.
Language requirements
English (minimum required level: B2)
Certification & Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement
Mandatory participation
To receive a digital certificate of attendance from FHV, participants must attend both:
- The online preparatory session on 12 November 2026, 14:30–16:15 CET.
- The full five-day on-site programme from 23–27 November 2026.
Activities marked as optional are not required for certification. Certificates will be issued after completion of both mandatory components.
Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement
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All participants must send their completed Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement for Staff Mobility for Training (STT) to international@fhv.at before the start of their mobility, allowing sufficient time for review and signature by FHV.
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Please ensure that the agreement meets your home institution’s requirements and that all relevant sections are completed. FHV cannot sign blank or incomplete documents.
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Please use the following details when preparing your Mobility Agreement:
| FHV - Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences | Faculty/Department | International Office | |
| Erasmus Code | A DORNBIR01 | Country | Austria / AT |
| Address | CAMPUS V, Hochschulstrasse 1 6850 Dornbirn |
Contact person e-mail / phone | katja.riedmann@fhv.at +43 5572 792 1205 |
| Contact person name and position | Katja Riedmann Staff Exchange Coordinator |
BIP ID & Title |
2026-1-AT01-KA131-HED-000411360-6 |
Accommodation and Transport
Planning your arrival
We recommend arriving in Dornbirn on Sunday, 22 November 2026, so you can settle in before the programme begins. Registration opens on Monday, 23 November at 08:30, followed by the welcome session at 09:00. Please plan your journey to ensure you can attend from the start.
Public transport & Guest Card
Eligible overnight guests at participating accommodation providers in Dornbirn receive the Guest Card for Explorers, provided they are liable to pay the local tourist tax. The card includes travel on buses and trains within the Vorarlberg transport network at no additional cost, including selected connections to border railway stations.
- How to get your card
Please contact your accommodation to confirm your eligibility and arrange your guest card. Depending on your accommodation, you may receive an email before arrival with access to Romi, the web app containing your digital guest card. A physical card is also available through your accommodation. - Using the card for your arrival journey
The card is valid during your stay, including your arrival and departure days. If you wish to use it when travelling to Dornbirn, ask your accommodation to provide it before arrival and make sure it is valid and ready to show before boarding. If you do not yet have a valid guest card, please purchase a regular ticket.
Traveling to Dornbirn from Switzerland or Germany
When you travel to Dornbirn by train you can state the respective border station in Switzerland or Germany as your destination, because from there to Dornbirn your fare is already covered by the Guest Card. Depending on your connection, you will have to change trains, or you can stay on the same train.
- If you arrive via Switzerland
- enter St. Margrethen SG as your destination
- buy your ticket online via www.sbb.ch/ or at the train station.
- If you arrive via Germany
- enter Lindau-Reutin as your destination
- buy your ticket online via int.bahn.de or at the train station.
- Check via www.oebb.at for your most convenient connection to Dornbirn!
Go Green!
Sustainability at the heart of the event
We are committed to hosting this International Staff Week as sustainably as possible. That means: reusable dishes, regional catering, minimal waste, and carefully selected giveaways.
We kindly invite you to support us in making this event as environmentally friendly as possible. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Choose greener travel options whenever possible – and check our Accommodation & Transport Information for tips on sustainable travel to and within Dornbirn.
- Offset your CO₂ emissions if flying is necessary. Trusted platforms are atmosfair or myclimate.
- Choose plant-based and regional food options whenever available – reducing animal products is one of the easiest ways to lower your environmental impact.
- Bring your reusable water bottle – Dornbirn’s tap water is delicious, high quality, and free.
- Use public transport or walk – Dornbirn has a compact city centre and good bus connections.
- Avoid disposable items – and feel free to say no to giveaways you don’t need.
Let’s create a meaningful and sustainable international experience – together.
FAQs
The rooms used for the programme at FHV are wheelchair accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact us in advance so we can discuss suitable arrangements, including for transport, the visit to Liechtenstein and optional activities.
Yes, free Wi-Fi will be available at all event venues. You’ll receive access details upon arrival.
Yes, but please check your roaming coverage before travelling.
- Austria and Liechtenstein:
If you have an EU/EEA mobile plan, “roam like at home” generally applies in both countries, subject to your tariff and fair-use limits. - Switzerland:
Switzerland is not covered by EU/EEA roaming rules. Some plans include Switzerland, but others charge additional fees. - Please take care near the Swiss border: Your phone may automatically connect to a Swiss network, even while you are in Austria or Liechtenstein. Charges depend on the network you connect to and your mobile plan, rather than your physical location alone.
Before our visit to Liechtenstein:
- Ask your provider which partner networks in Liechtenstein are covered by your plan.
- Check any welcome SMS for the applicable roaming rates.
- If necessary, switch off automatic network selection and manually select a covered network.
- If you are unsure, disable data roaming and use Wi-Fi instead.
Arriving via Zurich Airport?
Check whether your plan includes Switzerland. If it does not, disable data roaming before arrival and use Wi-Fi where available. Download your tickets and travel information in advance.
The dress code is casual. Make sure to bring warm, weather-proof clothing and shoes suitable for winter – especially for the outdoor evening at the Christmas market.
Some meals are included in the programme (e.g. coffee breaks, lunch during the trip to Liechtenstein, community dinner, farewell lunch). Some lunches and evening activities are at participants’ own expense - for more detailed information soon check the led programme.
Most places accept credit and debit cards, but some small shops or Christmas market stalls may prefer cash. ATMs are widely available in the city centre.
Yes! Tap water in Austria is of excellent quality and perfectly safe to drink. We encourage you to bring a reusable bottle and fill it throughout the week.
November can be cold and wet, temperatures between -5° and +10° C with possible frost or snow. Please bring warm, weatherproof clothing and comfortable shoes suitable for outdoor activities, including the Christmas market visit. Check the local weather forecast shortly before travelling.
Opening hours vary by shop and day. Most Shops in Dornbirn close at 6.00 p.m. Supermarkets close at 7.00 p.m., there is one small supermarket at the train station which is open until 9.00 p.m. Shops are usually closed on Sundays and public holidays, so please check individual opening hours and plan ahead if you need groceries or snacks.
Couldn't find the information you need?
Contact us via email, we will get back to you as soon as possible.