Villum Fonden støtter erhvervsuddannelser i Centraleuropa
”Erhvervsuddannelserne er en hjørnesten i Europas vej mod et grønnere og mere digitalt samfund. Disse projekter er udvalgt, fordi de har potentiale til at give unge de nødvendige kompetencer og samtidig styrker deres ambitioner og tro på egne evner til at drive denne forandring,” siger Nicolas Schunck, områdechef i Villum Fonden.
Ti projekter har modtaget i alt cirka 12 millioner euro i støtte til at forberede elever og lærere på Europas grønne og digitale omstilling. Støtten skal gøre det muligt for erhvervslivet at rekruttere højt kvalificerede fagfolk, der kan fremme bæredygtig og teknologisk udvikling.
Et løft til erhvervsuddannelser på tværs af sektorer og landegrænser
Et eksempel er projektet CzechUpEDU, som ledes af den tjekkiske nonprofitorganisation Junior Achievement (JA Czech). Projektet vil etablere undervisningscentre udstyret med blandt andet 3D-printere, VR-enheder og mikrocontrollere i tre regioner i Tjekkiet. Centrene vil årligt tage imod omkring 7200 elever og tilbyde læringsmiljøer med fokus på praktisk undervisning. Undervisere og eksperter vil udvikle undervisningsmoduler om bæredygtighed, grønt iværksætteri, robotteknologi, AI og dataforståelse. Samtidig vil lærerne blive uddannet i at undervise i digitale og grønne omstillingstemaer gennem inkluderende undervisningsmetoder.
I Polen vil GREENFIN-projektet modernisere landbrugsuddannelserne ved at give eleverne praktiske kompetencer inden for finansiel forståelse, bæredygtig ressourceforvaltning og digitale teknologier. Projektet vli blive implementeret på alle landbrugsskoler i Polen og vil omfatte workshops, seminarer og konferencer for lærere samt iværksætterprojekter for elever.
Et andet eksempel er projektet AI – The Path to Modern Education, der har til formål at implementere kunstig intelligens på skoler i Tjekkiet og Slovakiet. Initiativet vil modernisere skolernes drift, styrke undervisningskvaliteten og give både lærere og elever kompetencer inden for AI. Projektet omfatter træningsforløb for lærere og elever samt udvikling af AI-understøttede undervisningsmaterialer.
Innovative initiativer med stor gennemslagskraft
Bevillingerne uddeles af Villum Fonden gennem European Vocational Education and Training Initiative (EVI) under uddelingsområdet European youth and education (EYE).
Formålet er at støtte unge europæeres overgang til uddannelse og beskæftigelse og forberede dem på samfundets grønne og digitale transformation og fremtidens arbejdsmarked.
”Bevillingerne støtter erhvervsuddannelsesprojekter af høj kvalitet med potentiale til at skabe systemisk effekt på tværs af Europa. De udvalgte projekter er innovative, kan inspirere andre og viser vejen frem. Det er afgørende for at skabe et konkurrencedygtigt og stærkt samfund med unge, der er rustet til at møde fremtidens udfordringer,” siger Nicolas Schunck.
Læs mere om projekterne nedenfor (kun på engelsk).
CzechUpEDU empowers teachers and students in disadvantaged regions to lead digital and green transitions in vocational education. Building on established educational content and networks, the project will adapt resources for local needs, co-creating teaching materials, and offering blended training. Students participate in national competitions and hands-on learning at regional centres equipped with modern tools. Strategic partnerships across sectors aims to ensure systemic impact and visibility.
Organisation: Junior Achievement (JA Czech), CZ
EUR 1 million
The project aims to implement artificial intelligence in all aspects of school operations, enhancing efficiency and educational quality. Teachers will receive training to effectively use AI in their practice, while students develop skills for success in the digital age. Administrative staff benefit from AI-supported workflows. Activities include teacher and student training, school support, and collaboration with technology and educational experts. The project is cross-national and will span multiple regions in both Czechia and Slovakia, involving a network of vocational schools.
Organisation: SPgŠ a SOŠ Kladno, CZ & SK
EUR 2 million
This project addresses the need for 21st-century skills and a value-based mindset among future teachers. The research and expert project develops, pilots and evaluates new programmes focused on character education, leadership, entrepreneurship and strong teaching practice. University educators provide expert methodological guidance while researching the impact of innovative curricula through structured workshops and collaborative labs in vocational schools. The project generates evidence-informed models supporting inclusive, future-ready teacher education across Slovakia.
Organisation: Faculty of Education, Comenius University, SK
EUR 1 million
The SkillGenesis X.0 project will modernise vocational education by building a hybrid learning ecosystem aligned with the green and digital transitions. Hands-on training will cover areas such as AI, robotics, space simulation, and sustainable manufacturing. Curricula are co-developed with industry and scientific partners to meet labour market needs. The project combines infrastructure, training and curriculum innovation with inclusive, tech-driven pedagogy and will benefit teachers and students across Western Hungary.
Organisation: Pannon Business Network Association, HU
EUR 0.8 million
The project develops training programmes for teachers in digital and green transition, addressing gaps in teacher preparation and continuing education. modules are designed for integration into teacher training and professional development, emphasising attitude shaping and practical experience. Workshops involve collaboration with higher education and sector experts, with further training organised for leaders and instructors in regional vocational centres. The developed training modules will be provided free of charge to all institutions in Hungary providing teacher training.
Organisation: Kárpátháló Egyesület, HU
EUR 1.0 million
This project integrates environmental sustainability into vocational education in the electronics sector. It will develop a modern educational programme and hands-on training centres to build competences in circular economy and e-waste management. Within the project, ready-to-use courses, methodological training for teachers, and a scalable implementation model will be delivered. Publicly available educational resources and recommendations will support systemic change.
Organisation: UNEP/GRID-Warsaw, PL
EUR 1.2 million
SLL-GREEN+ will strengthen vocational and technical education by implementing a scalable School Living Lab model. The focus is on building digital and green skills to support the green transition. Students will help solve local environmental challenges, developing green, digital, and civic competences and teachers and principals receive training and mentoring. Key activities include interdisciplinary labs, e-learning courses, annual hackathons, and incubation of student-led solutions. The project will be implemented in schools across Poland, with the aim of national scaling.
Organisation: Fundacja Code for Green, PL
EUR 1.6 million
The project will establish a centre for modern vocational education to drive ecological and digital transformation. By developing new curricula for an environmental Technician programme and expanding the IT/Programmer Technician programme, the project will ensure that education remains relevant to labour market needs. Teachers will be equipped with innovative pedagogical methods, including problem-based learning, dual methodology, inclusive teaching, and digital tools. Upgraded school laboratories with new equipment and software will support hands-on learning, and a national promotional campaign will help attract students to the updated programmes.
Organisation: Fundacja TETOS, PL
EUR 0.9 million
The project establishes a training and innovation centre for roofing and carpentry, enhancing digital skills in vocational education. The centre will be equipped with advanced technologies and multi-level training programmes will be developed. Courses are offered for students, teachers, and professionals, including digital design and project preparation, and open digital resources will support hybrid learning. With this project manual craftmanship will be digitalised, with strong potential for systemic impact by aligning with national training requirements.
Organisation: Polish Roofers Association, PL
EUR 1.5 million
The GREENFIN project equips future agricultural business owners with essential skills in finance, resource management and sustainable practices enabling higher business efficiency in the agriculture sector. It addresses gaps in financial and environmental knowledge through a staged approach, covering personal and enterprise finance, planning and competitive strategies based on sustainability and innovation. Activities include workshops, mentoring and conferences. The project involves agricultural vocational schools in Poland, engaging students, teachers as well as trainers from the financial industry.
Organisation: Fundacja Edukacji Finansowej Dzieci I Młodzieży “Trampki na Giełdzie”, PL
EUR 1 million
Villum Fondens bevillingsområde European youth and education har til formål at styrke unge europæeres muligheder for at møde fremtidens udfordringer. Fokus er på at udvikle unges kompetencer tilt fremtidens arbejdsmarked med særlig opmræksomhed på den grønne og digitale omstilling. Der lægges samtidig stor vægt på at sikre, at også sårbare unge får støtte til at deltage aktivt i samfundet og blive selvstændige borgere.
I lige år støtter fonden projekter i Frankrig og Italien, mens den i ulige år finansierer projekter i Polen, Tjekkiet, Slovakiet og Ungarn.
