Effective problem solving in Europe
Lifting barriers to education in Europe
SOLVIT helps teachers and students enjoy their rights in Europe
In the increasingly global and knowledge-based societies of today, the experience of teaching or studying in another country is an undeniable professional asset. For years, the EU has been encouraging the mobility of teachers and students with an array of well-known Community programmes such as Erasmus, Comenius, Leonardo and Socrates. In this context of increasing exchanges, it may happen that educational institutions apply discriminatory rules. This creates individual problems for anyone wishing to study or to work abroad and is at variance with EU legislation. It is precisely to address such problems that SOLVIT was created in 2002. SOLVIT is a user-friendly service, free of charge, designed to help EU citizens find fast and pragmatic solutions to their internal market problems. To this end, 28 SOLVIT centres, all part of their national administrations, work together to convince national, regional and local authorities or educational institutions to find concrete solutions that comply with EU regulations. In 2005, SOLVIT dealt with 465 cases, of which 78% were successfully resolved. For example, SOLVIT helped a Czech student to save €9 000 on tuition fees. The Irish University where she wanted to study asked for that amount because, mistakenly, it had considered her as a non-EU national. This prevented the student from enjoying the EU rights to which she was entitled when the Czech Republic joined the EU and, in her particular case, the right to free tuition. Following SOLVIT's intervention, in less than 30 days, the Czech student obtained free tuition just like all other EU students attending the university. SOLVIT can be helpful to students and teachers in many areas, e.g. in problems with residence permits, social security or employment rights, which are important aspects for anyone intending to settle in another EU country.
Practical information on EU rights and opportunities: http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/ Personalised advice services: http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/signpost/
SOLVIT was able help a French teacher who had worked in a Portuguese school for 6 years on a temporary contract. She wanted to participate in an open competition for a permanent teaching position in a state school but her application was rejected because she was French. In this case, the Portuguese authorities were in breach of the EU principle of non-discrimination between EU citizens. SOLVIT contacted the national authorities and managed to remedy the situation, thereby allowing the French teacher to sit the open competition. The case was solved in less than 30 days. Time is essential for anyone whose future is at stake if deadlines are not met. This might be the case, for example, when you apply for a job or want to start an academic year abroad. In these situations, people cannot afford to wait until the problem is dealt with by lengthier formal procedures. SOLVIT understands the need to act quickly and has set itself a target deadline of 10 weeks for resolving the problems referred to it. However, as illustrated by the above examples, SOLVIT often manages to solve the cases within shorter deadlines. One of the strengths of SOLVIT is its network. SOLVIT has established centres in all EU countries. Usually two SOLVIT centres are involved in the handling of a problem, the centre which receives the request for help and the centre located in the country where the problem has occurred. This latter centre liaises with the relevant administrations in that country and informs the other centre, which in turn keeps applicants informed of the progress made in the case. Good cooperation always plays a crucial role in solving the problem.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOLVIT
SOLVIT IS FREE OF CHARGE SOLVIT IS WITHIN REACH SOLVIT centres are located in every EU country, including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. TURN TO SOLVIT IF …. Faced with a cross-border problem caused by incorrect application of EU law by a national public authority SOLVIT CANNOT HELP IN … Business-to-business or consumer-to-business problems FOR MORE INFORMATION http://ec.europa.eu/solvit/
SOLVIT can help students and teachers and in general all EU citizens who choose to study, live and work in another EU country and face administrative problems due to their nationality. SOLVIT can make a difference!
Practical information on EU rights and opportunities: http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/ Personalised advice services: http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/signpost/