The INNOVET LATAM project officially takes off under the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, marking an important step toward strengthening Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Guatemala and Venezuela.

Its central mission is to increase the significance and responsiveness of VET systems, transforming them into engines of inclusive socio-economic development, especially in rural and disadvantaged regions where opportunities are often limited.

INNOVET LATAM is born from a strong belief: that education and training are the most powerful catalysts for local growth and social transformation. By combining the expertise of European partners in policy innovation and training design with the on-the-ground experience of Latin American VET institutions, the project will lay the foundations for a more resilient, connected, and opportunity-driven education ecosystem across continents.

The project’s vision perfectly aligns with the Erasmus+ international cooperation priority of building the capacity of VET providers and strengthening collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

Through this, INNOVET LATAM aspires to empower institutions in third countries to modernize and innovate their educational approaches, bridging the gap between learning and employability.

INNOVET LATAM stands out for its hands-on, operational approach. Rather than producing theoretical research, it focuses on developing practical tools and methodologies that can be directly implemented by VET professionals, educators, and policymakers. Its core components include:

1. An innovative cooperation methodology that enables cross-border and multi-sectoral collaboration among VET providers, enterprises, and local authorities — ensuring that education and labour market needs evolve together.
2. A comprehensive suite of digital and methodological tools designed to operationalize key EU reference frameworks such as the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), ESCO, Cedefop guidelines, and Europass. These instruments will help make VET provision more transparent, comparable, and responsive to employment trends.
3. Training modules rooted in the EntreComp Framework, aiming to strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset and resilience of VET teachers, trainers, and learners — preparing them to navigate a rapidly changing job market.
4. Capacity building and mobility schemes, involving at least 36 professionals, to foster mutual learning between EU and Latin American institutions and ensure sustainable knowledge transfer.

By the end of its implementation, INNOVET LATAM will have achieved:

• The design and deployment of 10+ tools and trainings connecting VET systems more closely with real labour market dynamics, reaching at least 100 learners in Latin America.
• A specialized suite of 5 tools and trainings dedicated to embedding the EntreComp Framework in VET curricula and institutional practices in Guatemala and Venezuela, also involving at least 100 learners.
• A robust impact assessment framework to evaluate and sustain capacity-building actions long after the project’s completion.
• The creation of a sustainable cooperation bridge between the EU and Latin America, ensuring that innovation in VET continues to evolve through shared experience and partnership.

At its heart, INNOVET LATAM seeks to transform VET environments into “agents of change” — institutions capable of not only responding to skills needs but also driving economic empowerment, inclusion, and innovation within their communities.

The project brings together an exceptional consortium of organizations from Belgium, Italy, Spain, Guatemala, and Venezuela — each contributing complementary expertise and networks.

• European partners bring long-standing experience in VET reform, educational innovation, and EU frameworks, ensuring methodological rigour and operational excellence.
• Latin American partners contribute invaluable contextual understanding, outreach capacity, and engagement with local education and employment ecosystems.

Together, they embody the spirit of co-creation and mutual learning that defines INNOVET LATAM: a model of cooperation where shared challenges are met with shared solutions, and where every partner plays an active role in shaping the future of VET.

INNOVET LATAM represents a new model of international collaboration — one that turns partnerships into platforms for transformation. It shows that Vocational Education and Training is not just a policy area, but a pathway to opportunity, dignity, and sustainable growth.

For more information about the project and its partners, visit: https://www.innovetlatam.com/index.php?lang=EN