ETF Green Skills Award 2025: Five finalists announced

Turin, 2 June 2025 - The European Training Foundation (ETF) has today announced the five finalists of the 2025 ETF Green Skills Award, which celebrates global initiatives that promote the transition to environmentally sustainable and inclusive societies. These projects demonstrate dedication and creativity in developing green skills while transforming local communities.

This year’s finalists were selected from over 250 applications received from more than 50 countries. The ETF chose five outstanding entries – from Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Spain, Tunisia, and Türkiye – that exemplify both innovation and tangible impact in advancing sustainability through innovative learning.

Public voting is open until 30 June and will determine the three winners. For the first time, a special award will also be presented in support of the #ForOurPlanet campaign, which will be awarded during the EU Green Week.

Pilvi Torsti, Director of the ETF, commented: “In times of dramatic geopolitical crises, we must not forget that climate change knows no borders. It is critical to invest in green skills and protecting the planet we share. There are no boundaries between the micro and macro levels: each of these five stories shows how local action can help shape a resilient, sustainable future for all.”

The ETF Green Skills Award reflects the European Union’s broader commitment to sustainable development, notably within the framework of the recently launched Union of Skills and the Clean Industrial Deal. These flagship EU initiatives aim to boost Europe’s competitiveness while equipping workers with the skills required for the green and digital transitions. At the heart of this strategy are skills, driving quality employment and industrial innovation that advances both environmental sustainability and social equity.

Finalists of the 2025 ETF Green Skills Award

• Kazakhstan: Karashayev Dossan, Ondakhanova Ainur, Mangystau Energy College – Preparing a skilled workforce to power the green economy
• North Macedonia: Radmil Polenakovikj, Centre of Excellence in Green Innovation – Empowering youth, educators and a greener future
• Spain: Pablo Zuloaga Betancourt, Powar Steam – Empowering climate education for a sustainable future
• Tunisia: Sendi Ibtissem, CBS Training – Empowering rural women with green skills, entrepreneurship and purpose
• Türkiye: Guliz Yaman, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality – Empowering young people through solar energy training

An international jury of ETF experts has selected the 5 finalists. The first, second and third winner will be chosen by public vote that will be open until 30 June 2025 (13:00 CEST), and  will receive the ETF Green Skills 2025 Award with an invitation to the award ceremony.  

About the ETF Green Skills Award

Launched in 2021, the ETF Green Skills Award is a global initiative that highlights innovative practices in green skills development led by individuals and institutions. It serves as a source of ideas and inspiration, promoting good practices for circular and carbon-neutral economies and societies.

Past winners:

• 2024: (1) Latvia: Hemp School; (2) Türkiye: Always Fashion project; (3) Madagascar: Don Bosco Green TVET.
• 2023: (1) Lebanon: Zero Waste project; (2) Morocco with Spain: Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI; (3) Kenya: E-waste management.
• 2022: (1) Croatia (with Armenia and Türkiye): The Green Changemakers; (2) Nigeria: Operation Skill Them Up; (3) Kenya: Don Bosco Tech Africa.
• 2021: (1) Palestine: Ghada Krayem, Gaza Training Centre; (2) Türkiye: Selcuk Arslan, Ataturk Vocational and Technical High School; (3) India: PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education

A full list of past finalists is available from a wide range of countries, including Albania (City of my Dreams; Shipmentt), Armenia (TUMO Labs), Azerbaijan (Inkoel), Belarus (Volma), Belgium (with France: Label Emmaüs), Croatia (with Armenia and Türkiye: The Green Changemakers), Cyprus (Yenesis project), Georgia (Agriculture education in school; Sustainable Development Academy K4S;  Construct2), India (PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education; Carbon Addons; Schneider Electric), Ireland (Fifty Shades Greener; SOLAS), Italy (Atelier Riforma), Jordan (Creating Green Land), Kazakhstan (AUPET), Kenya (Don Bosco Tech Africa; E-waste management), Latvia (Hemp School), Lebanon (Zero Waste project), Madagascar (Don Bosco TVET), Malaysia (Green Putrajaya), Moldova (Training the Green Trainers), Morocco (with Spain: Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI), Netherlands (21CC Education; Blue Hotspot Dordrecht; with Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Romania, and Spain: European Platform Urban Greening); Nigeria (Operation Skill Them Up), Palestine (Gaza Training Centre), Serbia (The Green Art Incubator), Türkiye (Distance Learning Gate;  Always fashion project; Ataturk Vocational and Technical High School), Ukraine (Emau; Professional Qualifications in Energy Efficiency Project; Taras Shevchenko National University), USA (with Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe: WeCareSolar).

Background

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the EU agency supporting countries neighbouring the EU in reforming their education, training and labour market systems. In line with the objectives of the Union of Skills and the Clean Industrial Deal, the ETF actively promotes progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economies and societies through skills development.

Further information

• ETF Green Skills Award 2025 finalists
• ETF Green Skills Award 2025 public voting platform
• European Training Foundation

Press contact

Daria Santucci, +39 366 9639638, mediarelations@etf.europa.eu