Cotonou, Benin | 8-11 April 2025
From 8 to 11 April, within the framework of the Design Together project, EVBB had the pleasure of participating in a dynamic training and exchange programme hosted by the École Professionnelle Salésienne Saint Jean Bosco in Cotonou. This four-day event brought together vocational education professionals, youth educators, and institutional partners from both Africa and Europe, united by a shared mission: to co-design inclusive and labour-market-oriented vocational training pathways.
Throughout the visit, participants engaged in hands-on activities aimed at aligning training offers with real-world challenges. Interactive sessions fostered mutual learning between European and African trainers, while collaborative workshops focused on developing curricula that respond directly to local economic needs. The programme also included site visits to local businesses and practical learning spaces, as well as open dialogues with national stakeholders in education and employment policy.
Representing EVBB, Sonia De Groote, Head of the Brussels Office, facilitated the workshops and shared valuable insights into how vocational education systems can evolve in response to global labour trends. Her contributions highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation and the added value of international exchange in building agile, future-ready VET ecosystems.
This visit marked another step forward in EVBB’s commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships across continents. Through projects like Design Together, we continue to support capacity building, innovation, and employability in technical and vocational education ,guided by the values of co-creation, relevance, and equity.
