Education Policy Cooperation Between Vocational Schools and Regions: Digitalisation and EU Project Applications
As part of an international training event from 7 to 11 April 2025, a delegation from the Ukrainian regions of Lviv, Sumy and Kyiv was ceremonially welcomed at the Thuringian State Parliament by its President, Thadäus R. König.
The training aimed to strengthen cooperation between vocational schools and regional decision-makers, focusing in particular on digitalisation and successful applications for EU funding. Three key concerns were at the centre of the programme: expanding education-policy partnerships, sharing proven digital education practices, and supporting the development and submission of fundable project proposals.
Digitalisation was seen as key to the future: Dr Tamme presented the current state of digital education in Germany and showed how vocational schools can modernise their teaching and learning processes through innovative technologies. The discussion made clear that regional political actors play a central role in successfully implementing digital change – for example by providing modern infrastructure, developing joint education initiatives, and promoting digital skills among teachers and learners.
Another key focus of the training was targeted access to EU funding programmes in education. Using practical guidance, participants were introduced to identifying suitable programmes, drafting convincing project proposals, and successful examples of already-approved education projects.
Particularly moving were the reports from the delegation from the Sumy region on the severe impact of the war on local education infrastructure. The training also provided space to jointly develop solutions for the specific challenges faced in crisis regions – including rebuilding destroyed schools, providing psychosocial support to traumatised teachers and learners, and promoting education projects that foster social cohesion and new perspectives.
The event demonstrated impressively how important close, trusting cooperation between vocational schools and regions is for sustainable education development, and marked a significant step toward a future-oriented, equitable and European education policy.
This project is co-funded by the European Union.
