ITALY: Salesian organizations promote sustainable practices in Africa
African and European institutional partners launch ‘CircuWasteVETAfrica’ project
ITALY
(MissionNewswire) The National Salesian Center for Vocational Training and Professional Development in collaboration with Salesian International Volunteering for Development in Angola* have joined the “CircuWasteVETAfrica” project. The focus will be vocational training and capacity-building programs for students in Namibia, Ghana, Angola, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Launched at the end of March, this project promotes sustainable waste management and the circular economy, which is designed to minimize waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. The two-year project is part of the ERASMUS+ program, co-funded by the European Commission. The project aligns with the Green and Digital Transition goals outlined in the European Green Deal and the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership.
The initiative supports African cities and regions in leveraging digital tools for a sustainable and zero-impact future. CircuWasteVETAfrica will first assess the skills gap in sustainable waste management and the circular economy before launching a program to equip vocational training instructors with essential competencies in digital innovation, micro-entrepreneurship, and circular business models. The acquired knowledge, tools, and best practices will then be shared with youth through a dedicated training program.
To ensure relevance and replicability, the project will collaborate with public and private sector organizations, aligning training courses with industry needs and enabling their adoption in other vocational training centers. Led by AREA, an Italian small-to-medium enterprise, the project brings together key partners from Europe and Africa. This diverse collaboration is crucial for EU-Africa cooperation.
A Salesian noted, “Ultimately, the project will promote sustainable environmental practices, enhance the quality and responsiveness of vocational training centers, and create new socioeconomic opportunities in Africa’s labor market.”
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
ANS – Italy – “CircuWasteVETAfrica”: Promoting Green Skills and Circular Economy Education in Africa
Salesian Missions – Italy
World Bank – Italy
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
