June 24-25, 2025. Don Bosco Tech Africa and the Salesians of Don Bosco Registered Trustees Kenya are proud to host the concluding conference of the Design Together project, an ambitious two-year Erasmus+ Capacity Building initiative focused on transforming Vocational Education and Training (VET) across Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The event brings to culmination the collaborative efforts of 11 partner institutions from Europe and Africa, representing countries such as Greece, Germany, Portugal, Benin, Tanzania, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya. Funded under the ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CB-VET call, the project has aimed to bridge persistent gaps between vocational education and labour market demands through innovative curriculum design, professional development, and intercultural cooperation.
Empowering VET through Collaborative Curriculum Innovation
The Design Together project was launched with a central aim: to equip VET providers with the competencies to design responsive, digitally informed, and market-relevant curricula. Recognising that many vocational institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Europe face challenges in aligning training with rapid technological shifts and evolving job markets, the project developed a common training framework tailored to local and international contexts.
This approach placed emphasis on three pillars:
- Curriculum alignment with labour market needs
- Digital transformation of vocational education
- Professional capacity-building of VET educators and trainers
A comprehensive training package and a digital MOOC platform were developed to ensure the sustainability of learning across borders, and several study visits and exchange sessions further enriched the intercultural and pedagogical dimensions of the programme.
Celebrating Results, Building Bridges
The Nairobi conference marks a significant milestone. Participants will share insights from study visits across Africa and Europe, present case studies on adapted VET curricula, and demonstrate how digital tools have been integrated into training delivery. The programme will also feature panel discussions on the future of work and education, keynote addresses from EU and African stakeholders, and an exhibition of tools and outputs created during the project.
Notably, the conference underscores the values of international cooperation, digital equity, and youth empowerment—principles at the heart of Erasmus+ and echoed in the EU’s priorities for a greener, more inclusive, and digitally competent global workforce.
A Stronger Europe–Africa Partnership
“Design Together has exemplified how VET systems in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa can mutually enrich one another,” said Fr. Francis Mulu, Director of Don Bosco Kenya and local project lead. “This is more than curriculum reform—it’s about rethinking how education responds to human dignity, economic inclusion, and cross-continental solidarity.”
Don Bosco Tech Africa, as a regional network dedicated to technical and vocational education, has played a crucial role in coordinating activities among African partners. Meanwhile, AKMI S.A. of Greece served as project coordinator, ensuring coherence across institutions and national contexts.
Through this initiative, more than 100 VET trainers have undergone professional upskilling, and at least six institutions have piloted revised curricula aligned with local labour market realities. Learners have benefitted from more relevant content and digital competencies that enhance their employability across sectors.
Looking Ahead
The legacy of Design Together extends beyond the final conference. With materials, networks, and frameworks now in place, partners are committed to scaling the model through ongoing collaboration and integration into national education systems. The digital MOOC platform and learning resources remain accessible to VET providers across the globe.
As Nairobi welcomes educators, policy-makers, and development partners to reflect on shared achievements, the conference serves as a vibrant symbol of what can be achieved when education transcends borders and responds dynamically to social and economic realities.
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AuZPTrfDt/
