PRESS RELEASE: Fourth edition of ETF Green Skills Award for a more sustainable world
The European Training Foundation (ETF) today launches the fourth edition of its Green Skills Award. This important initiative strives to enhance global sustainability and progress by promoting environmentally responsible education, training, and skills development. Since its inception in 2021, the award has rapidly gained recognition as a platform for showcasing best practice in circular and carbon-neutral economies.
ETF Director, Pilvi Torsti, declared, "We are excited to launch a new edition of the Green Skills Award, an initiative that puts the spotlight on outstanding stories of innovation, resilience and sense of purpose throughout the whole planet. All participants from the previous editions have demonstrated a profound commitment, and the capacity to invest in green skills with strong dedication and persistence: a true example to all of us. We look forward to receiving new, incredible stories from all over the world!”
The previous three editions of the award garnered around 800 applications from more than 60 countries and 33,000 votes from around the world. Winning initiatives from countries such as Lebanon, Kenya and Morocco (with Spain) concentrated on topics including raising environmental awareness in schools. The new edition is anticipated to attract an even larger number of entries, further emphasising the essential role of education, training, and skills development in fostering a green and thriving world.
The ETF invites submissions of good practice stories on the development of green skills, aiming to provide inspirational and innovative ideas for policy-makers and practitioners worldwide. The award is open to enterprises, training providers, industries, sectors, public institutions, public employment services, and schools implementing measures to prepare learners for the green economy.
An international jury will select the 10 finalists. The winner will be chosen by public vote, and a further two winners will be selected by an international jury composed of experts in green skills. All three will receive the ETF Green Skills 2024 Award and various benefits - including an invitation to the award ceremony, the opportunity to be showcased in online communications, and the creation of short films highlighting their stories.
How to Apply: To apply, candidates should complete an online application form by 29 February 2024 (23:59 CET).
The ETF Green Skills Award
The Green Skills Award is a global initiative that was first introduced by the ETF in 2021. It provides ideas and inspiration from all over the world about innovation happening thanks to individuals and institutions. The initiative has become a source of good practice that can inspire people everywhere to make real change happen in creating circular and carbon-neutral economies and societies.
- Past winners: 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
- Past finalists per country: Albania: City of my Dreams; Albania: Shipmentt; Armenia: TUMO Labs; Azerbaijan: Inkoel; Belarus: Volma; Belgium (with France): Label Emmaüs; Croatia (with Armenia and Türkiye): The Green Changemakers; Georgia: Agriculture education in school; Georgia: Sustainable Development Academy K4S; Georgia: Construct2; India: PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education; Indonesia: Carbon Addons; Ireland: Fifty Shades Greener; Italy: Atelier Riforma; Jordan: Creating Green Land; Kenya: Don Bosco Tech Africa; Kenya: E-waste management; Lebanon: Zero Waste project; Moldova: Training the Green Trainers; Morocco with Spain: Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI; Netherlands: Blue Hotspot Dordrecht; Netherlands (with Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Romania, and Spain): European Platform Urban Greening; Nigeria: Operation Skill Them Up; Palestine: Ghada Krayem, Gaza Training Centre; Serbia: The Green Art Incubator; Türkiye: Selcuk Arslan, Ataturk Vocational and Technical High School; Ukraine: Emau; Ukraine: Professional Qualifications in Energy Efficiency Project; Ukraine: Taras Shevchenko National University; USA with Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe: WeCareSolar.
Background
The European Training Foundation is the EU agency supporting the countries of the EU neighbourhood to reform their education, training, and labour market systems. In line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the European Year of Skills, it actively supports progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economies and societies through skills development.
More
Press contact
Daria Santucci, +39 011 6302260, mediarelations@etf.europa.eu