The Senior Exchange Initiative provides the participants with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with working methods of other EU countries, and allows the host sites to share their experience, and build closer links to other institutions. The initiative aims at creating a network and trust among colleagues and supporting the European dimension in public health through cooperation and training.

The exchange visits are self-organised, meaning the visiting expert and the host site agree on topics, scope and objectives, and should be scheduled for about one week. ECDC funds travel, accommodation and per diem.