INFODEF participated in the Regional Erasmus+ Cluster Meeting and Contact-Making Seminar 2026 for Sub-Saharan Africa, held on 19–20 May in Dakar, Senegal. The event, organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), brought together representatives of Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions from Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside Erasmus+ National Focal Points, National Agencies, EU Delegations and other key stakeholders.
Under the theme “Developing Skills for the Future”, participants explored how Erasmus+ projects are contributing to skills development, employability, innovation and sustainable growth across both regions. Discussions focused on topics such as skills validation, innovation and research, improving teaching competences, and strengthening links between education and the labour market through work-based learning.
The event also included networking and contact-making sessions designed to foster new partnerships and future project cooperation between European and African organisations. These exchanges provided valuable opportunities to share experiences, identify common challenges and explore innovative approaches to capacity building in education and training.
INFODEF’s participation reinforces its commitment to supporting international cooperation and contributing to the development of high-quality, inclusive and future-oriented education systems. The themes addressed during the meeting are closely aligned with several of the organisation’s ongoing Erasmus+ initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa, including projects focused on green skills, vocational excellence, digital transformation and sustainable development (e.g. GreenVET4U, AGREEN Gambia).
As Europe and Africa continue working together to address skills gaps and prepare learners for rapidly changing labour markets, events such as Erasmus+ Week play a key role in strengthening collaboration and creating new opportunities for institutions, educators and learners on both continents.
