Social inclusion and equity have emerged as a specific thematic area of ETF operations only recently. ETF interventions so far have been aiming to increase participation and to encourage equitable access to quality education, training and decent work in the partner countries, on the one hand, and on the other – to highlight the potential of education and training in general, and of VET (Vocational Education and Training) in particular, for combating poverty and exclusion in society. Social inclusion through education and training (2007-2011) in WBT region represent the major ETF interventions implemented so far in this thematic area.
Based on its analytical work/reviews and driven by the discussions of the ETF facilitated country and regional policy networks during 2011(Turin 4-5 April, Ohrid 24-26 October and Turin 12-13 December), the ETF has agreed on a follow-up intervention in the region of the Western Balkans and Turkey for the period 2012-2013.
Further to this intervention in the thematic field of social inclusion in education and training, ETF has been open to respond to demands coming from the different partner countries. It has implemented or is currently implementing a couple of similar small-scale, country-based activities, such as workshops in the countries and capacity-development of local actors for addressing the challenges of VET and its systematic barriers in excluding youth from marginalised groups. Israel is one of the ETF partner countries which expressed its interest, after participating to the Western Balkans and Turkey regional event in Ohrid in 2011, to join the WBT regional project “VET for Social Inclusion” for the period 2012- 2013. Stakeholders participating in the Ohrid regional event emphasised that regional approach to inclusive education is well justified because of the similarity of the social, political and economic problems shared by the ETF partner countries and circumstances they face as regards minorities and vulnerable groups. The commonalities, allied with limited resources and shared uncertainties as to ways ahead, suggest that regional and inter-country collaboration in developing and implementing policies and practices potentially offer economies of scale. Thus, Israel has expressed its willingness to work together and to cooperate in the field of inclusive education with the Western Balkans and Turkey, as evidenced at the Ohrid meeting.
The ETF multi-country project aims to provide evidence and promote the role of VET policy and systems for combating social inclusion and for contributing to building more inclusive societies. The project will also focus on capacity building of national stakeholders in the Western Balkans, Israel and Turkey to establish policies and practises for enhancing the role of VET and its multi-dimensional contributions, not only through its skills dimension, but also through its socialization, civic, social and equity dimensions. In doing so, ETF aims to acquire the knowledge and understanding of the situation in the countries on the role of VET in promoting employment, equity, social cohesion and active citizenship.
Within the framework of this regional project and through the regional action research, ETF will conduct 9 countries and a cross-country report with the participation of 3 VET schools/training centres in each of the countries. The ETF facilitated regional policy network is the consultative policy platform of the region on social inclusion in education and training and it will be also responsible for the agreement on the research participating VET schools selection criteria. The regional policy network has requested the research to deepen the understanding of the main barriers and potential opportunities for building inclusive and equitable VET systems in the Western Balkans, Israel and Turkey vis-à-vis the current socio-economic challenges in the region. The research will look into the holistic-school approach towards inclusion in education, i.e. incentives and barriers in developing whole-school systems and culture to foster the participation and achievement of all students. This regional approach builds on and it is complimentary to the ETF partner country stakeholders’ efforts for setting priority areas of inclusive VET policies and practises.
The event “VET for social inclusion in the Western Balkans and Turkey: from conceptualisation to actions”, to be held in Tirana, 14–16 March 2012 is organised by the European Training Foundation (ETF) jointly with the Albania Ministry of Education and Science. It is part of the continuous consultative process with partners from the Western Balkans and Turkey on how to enhance regional cooperation in the area of inclusive education and training.
The regional event will focus on the role of VET policy and systems for combating social exclusion and for contributing to building to more inclusive societies in the region of the Western Balkans and Turkey. Within this framework the ETF regional intervention in 2012-2013 will be discussed with policy makers, practitioners and researchers from the region and EU Member States. The working group discussions will centre on the capacities of education and training systems for generating sound evidence on the potential of VET for promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship. Most importantly the national policies and practices that stimulate and support the enhanced inclusive character of the VET system in the region and EU will be shared with participants.

Type of Event: Operational
Place: Tirana (Albania)
Date: 03/14/2012
Topic(s): Policies and Systems; School and Teacher Development
Project: WP12-10-02
Organiser: Lida Kita, Daniela Clara ;
Contacts: Lida Kita, Daniela Clara;