Mbabane – Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in Eswatini have been called on to apply for grants of up to €500 000 available under the Erasmus Plus Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training programme.
The appeal was made during an information session held in Mbabane as part of the 2026 Erasmus Plus Programme. The session was organised by the Erasmus Plus National Focal Point working with the Ministry of Education and Training and the European Union Delegation to the Kingdom of Eswatini. It took place at the Hilton Garden Inn and brought together representatives from local TVET institutions.
European Union Programme Manager for Skills Development Allen Dlamini commended the Ministry of Education and Training for its continued cooperation with the EU in advancing education and skills development in the country. He also recognised the National Focal Point for coordinating the engagement with TVET stakeholders.
Dlamini described Erasmus Plus as the European Union’s flagship programme for education training youth and sport, saying it has contributed to institutional development and skills growth globally through academic mobility and international cooperation.
He said the EU’s partnership with Eswatini places strong focus on human capital development, particularly in education employability and youth inclusion. According to Dlamini, a strong and responsive TVET system remains key to addressing skills shortages supporting economic diversification and improving employment prospects for young people.
The Capacity Building in VET programme seeks to strengthen vocational education systems by aligning training with labour market needs improving access for young people and vulnerable groups and enhancing institutional response to economic and technological change.
Projects supported under the programme are required to involve international partnerships of at least four organisations from a minimum of three countries. These may include vocational institutions public authorities private sector entities and research organisations. The initiative promotes cooperation between public and private stakeholders while supporting demand driven vocational training.
Priority areas under the programme include work based learning professional development for VET teachers curriculum development quality assurance green and digital skills entrepreneurship innovation and STEM education linked to labour market needs.
Funded projects may run for up to 36 months with the European Union covering up to 80 percent of the total project cost. The overall allocation for all Capacity Building in VET projects stands at €28.44 million.
Dlamini urged institutions to approach Erasmus Plus as a long term development tool rather than only a funding source, noting the importance of strong partnerships between education providers industry and civil society to ensure skills initiatives remain relevant.
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