{"id":1011,"date":"2024-04-11T02:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T02:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whedafrica.org\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2024-09-11T02:52:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T02:52:37","slug":"global-gateway-the-eu-launches-new-regional-initiatives-in-africa-to-boost-youth-mobility-and-skills-including-the-unique-africa-europe-youth-academy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whedafrica.org\/index.php\/2024\/04\/11\/global-gateway-the-eu-launches-new-regional-initiatives-in-africa-to-boost-youth-mobility-and-skills-including-the-unique-africa-europe-youth-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Gateway: The EU launches new regional initiatives in Africa to boost youth mobility and skills, including the unique Africa-Europe Youth Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education<\/a> in Brussels, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen <\/strong>launched new regional programmes boosting youth mobility and skills in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy and 15 new projects under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa highlight the EU\u2019s commitment to empowering African youth with education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commissioner Urpilainen said: \u201cThe European Union\u2019s Global Gateway investments in education are focused on enhancing access to quality education and skills training for all in an equitable way. Education and skills are key to combating inequalities and to creating jobs and prosperity<\/em>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is urgent to allow young people to build their green and digital skills, in particular skills that match the opportunities present in the labour market. I am proud to launch today the regional Team Europe Initiative Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa, co-financed by the European Union with \u20ac75 million<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a part of the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package, the regional Youth Mobility for Africa flagship showcases the width and breadth of the European Union\u2019s support to international cooperation in higher education and learning mobility. I am pleased to launch these new initiatives during the African Year of Education, in particular the Africa-Europe Youth Academy \u2013 a flagship initiative of the first-ever EU Youth Action Plan<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boost to youth mobility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a key initiative of the Youth Action Plan<\/a> in EU external relations, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy<\/strong> launched by Commissioner Urpilainen today will provide opportunities for formal and informal learning and exchanges to young people looking to improve their leadership skills and create networks between Africa and Europe. The first set of actions is supported with \u20ac15 million from the EU. The initiative is part of the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commissioner Urpilainen also launched 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme<\/a> projects, funded with \u20ac27 million by the EU. The projects<\/a> will provide learning mobility opportunities for students, trainees and staff across the continent to boost high-level green and digital skills. The 15 selected projects cover 22 African countries. The Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme is also part of the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth Mobility for Africa<\/a> brings under one umbrella existing and new EU-funded programmes to promote learning mobility opportunities within Africa and between Africa and the EU. It supports cooperation in higher education and skills development and promotes Africa as a study destination, contributing to youth empowerment for sustainable employability and active citizenship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switch to opportunity-driven skills training<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regional Team Europe Initiative Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa<\/strong> launched today aims to enhance the match between skills training and concrete employment opportunities, particularly those created by Global Gateway investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. It supports a paradigm shift in how the training offer is designed \u2013 tailoring it to the available opportunities. The identification of employment and training opportunities for women will be compulsory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Team Europe Initiative is co-financed with \u20ac75 million from the EU budget for the period 2024-2028. It is accessible to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that benefit from the Global Gateway EU\u2013Africa Investment Package<\/a> and have identified VET and skills development as significant areas of cooperation with the EU or EU Member States. It consists of the following three building blocks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n