The CNOUS / CROUS and the Studierendenwerke
The mission of student unions is to promote young people’s social, economic, cultural and health interests. They offer students in the individual regions a broad set of options in the areas of university food service, housing, financing of studies, childcare, counselling and placement services, as well as culture.
Student unions in both countries traditionally work together quite closely and work to promote reciprocal exchange.
Student unions in Germany and France
Student unions in Germany operate within the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW) umbrella organisation. This organisation is a voluntary pooling of the 57 student unions (Studierendenwerke or StW) in Germany. It was established in 1921 and has advised and supported its members ever since.
In 1955, student unions were established by law in France at the national level (Centre National des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires/CNOUS) and at the regional level (Centres régionaux des œuvres universitaires et scolaires/CROUS). CNOUS heads the 26 CROUS student unions throughout France.
Numerous cross-border cooperation arrangements between student unions
Nearly no other country resembles Germany as closely as France does when it comes to providing students with services and advice. The same values underlie student unions in both countries. Both have set themselves the goal of increasing students’ chances of success. They provide assistance to all students seeking to complete a stay in the neighbouring country.
Cooperation with France forms the traditional core of international cooperation on the part of German student unions. The partnership dates to the Élysée Treaty of 1963 and is funded by the FGYO.
In 2022, a total of 18 group encounters were organised between students and employees of a variety of German Studierendenwerke and CROUS. All of these projects were funded by the FGYO.
In 2022/23, 10 young people from Germany and France completed the FGYO’s Franco-German Volunteer Service in a CROUS or Studierendenwerk.
Each year, the FGYO also funds the Franco German Photo Competition and the biannual Franco-German Colloquium of the Studierendenwerke and CROUS.
