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About Us

ECAP is a nonprofit educational institute that has been active since 1970. As an intercultural organization, we are constantly evolving thanks to the strong commitment and professional expertise of our employees – while remaining true to our roots and values.

4700 Courses per year
33 Training centers
70000 Participants per year
1200 Employees

Our principles

Combining solidarity and innovation

We promote solidarity through interaction and exchange among people of different backgrounds, cultures, and educational histories. We achieve innovation by responding to new educational needs in society and the labor market – using appropriate methods and forward-looking projects.

Empowering the right to lifelong learning

We promote the individual and collective right to lifelong learning as a universal fundamental right. Education must be accessible to everyone – regardless of gender, background, language, place of residence, age, or social and professional circumstances.

Building bridges between cultures

We view education as a tool for leading a self-determined life and for promoting intercultural dialogue. It enables mutual understanding and recognition.

Combating exclusion

We work to break down barriers and eliminate discrimination in access to education – and thus combat professional and social exclusion.

Achieving equal opportunities

We are actively committed to equality for all people – in society and within our organization.

Strengthening partnerships and networks

We collaborate with organizations and individuals who share our values, goals and educational philosophy.

Appreciating and involving employees

We cultivate an open, respectful working environment. We encourage and support employee participation in our company’s decision-making process. We create opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Acting sustainably

We understand education as a contribution to sustainable social development. Our programs and organizational activities are guided by social, environmental and economic responsibility.

Enabling digital participation

We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to digital learning opportunities. Promoting digital literacy is a central component of our educational work – to enable participation in the workplace and society.

About Us

Our programs are primarily aimed at adults with an immigrant background, independent of their immigration status, educational level, or language skills. We place special emphasis on promoting access for individuals with limited educational opportunities.

To achieve our goals, we offer a wide range of educational activities:

  • General, language, and vocational education
  • Promotion of basic skills
  • Training and continuing education for instructors and language and cultural mediators
  • Development and implementation of innovative educational models
  • Participation in international educational programs
  • Organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops

Our work is coordinated by nine regional offices in Aarau, Basel, Bern, Lamone, Lausanne, Lucerne, Solothurn, Winterthur, and Zurich, and is supported by more than 33 training centers. The executive board and central services are based in Zurich.

Our funding comes from:

  • Participant contributions
  • Service agreements with public institutions
  • Contributions from institutions in the migrants’ countries of origin
  • Contributions from social partners

Since July 2016, ECAP’s more than 1,000 employees have been covered by their own collective labor agreement (CLA), which is considered exemplary in the field of adult education. Among other things, employees receive generous support for their professional development.

ECAP was founded in 1970 by the Italian trade union CGIL as an institute for adult education and vocational training. In 1984, the institute was converted into a foundation and entered into a partnership with the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB). Since September 2006, we have collaborated with the Unia trade union.

History

Founding

The “Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro” is establishing a foundation under the name STIFTUNG ECAP in accordance with Article 80 of the Swiss Civil Code.