International collaboration is crucial for the successful greening of VET. This is why the second thematic webinar by ENE’s GRETA initiative focussed on how VET providers can engage in and benefit from international partnerships.
As highlighted by Dana Redford (Founder and President of PEEP, expert on CoVEs and green partnerships supporting the Danish Technological Institute) in his keynote presentation, participating in international partnerships on greening can have a range of benefits for VET providers. At the individual level, engagement in these partnerships can help improve the social engagement of students and help them become familiar with international organisations. At the institutional level, international partnerships on greening can improve the reputation, teaching quality and attractiveness of VET, whilst they are crucial for the alignment of actors at the systemic level.
There are different ways for VET providers to get involved in international collaboration, with specific examples being cross-border partnerships between VET institutions and the private sector as well as participation in EU-funded international projects connecting VET providers, research institutes and other types of external stakeholders.
During the webinar, Mafalda Santos from the European Commission (VET Unit at DG EMPL), introduced the Erasmus+ programme as a specific funding opportunity for international partnerships in support of the green transition. Next to highlighting the key priorities of the programme, she also outlined what countries are eligible for funding from Erasmus+. Addressing members of the ENE network, Mafalda Santos also pointed out the call for Partnerships for Excellence under the programme’s Key Action 2, which may be of particular interest to CoVEs (Centres of Vocational Excellence). It is currently closed but expected to reopen in the final quarter of 2022 (for more information, you can see the Erasmus+ Programme Guide).
Among the key messages of the day was an emphasis on the significant importance of international partnerships for the successful greening of VET. The mutual sharing of knowledge and best practices – as well as joint reflections on bad practices and challenges – are essential for boosting the quality of education and developing VET programs that provide students with the skills they need to contribute to a greener economy. As expressed by the Šolski center Nova Gorica (one of the CoVEs in the GRETA partnership) engagement in international partnerships helps spread awareness and increase momentum of the green transition. It allows VET institutions to be involved at the grassroot level, whilst also giving them a platform for involvement in international networks and associations active at a more strategic level.
The GRETA partnership as well as ENE are all about collaboration and peer learning (you may for example use Open Space as a platform for finding your next international partner).
In this spirit, feel free to share your own experiences with international partnerships in the comment section:
- What benefits and challenges do you associate with international partnerships?
- And can you offer any advice in terms of how to get started with them?
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