The SUSTAIN-IT Erasmus+ VET Capacity Building Project wrapped up a dynamic week of expert training in Bilbao, hosted by Politeknika Txorierri. The programme brought together international partners from Europe and Africa, including Apodissi Namibia, Apro Formazione, Mundus, Harare Institute of Public Health, Salesians of Don Bosco of Rwanda, and Simukai Child Protection Programme, to exchange knowledge and explore innovative teaching approaches.
A Week of Learning and Inspiration
Throughout the sessions, participants explored a variety of themes central to environmental education and entrepreneurship.
Francesco Bruno introduced the EntreComp framework, a European Commission initiative that provides a blueprint for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and skills.
Prof. Amaia Lizaso and her students at Politeknika Txorierri impressed participants with flawless project presentations on environmental studies and business planning.
Alessia Riccardi from Apro Formazione and Silvia Ganassi from Mundus led stimulating discussions on social entrepreneurship and inclusion in education, sparking ideas for classroom activities in Namibia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
Challenge-Based Learning in Action
Participants also took part in a memorable challenge-based learning exercise: constructing the tallest and strongest tower in 30 minutes using only spaghetti sticks, tape, and a marshmallow. The activity emphasized the value of creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure—skills vital in both classrooms and real-world contexts.
Connecting with Nature and Culture
Beyond the classroom, the program immersed participants in the Basque Country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. A field trip to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve offered insights into biodiversity preservation and environmental education, reminding participants of the importance of balancing human activity with ecosystem protection.
A Shared Commitment to the Future
Reflecting on the experience, Margherita Trestini, General Manager of Apodissi, highlighted the significance of the week:
“The SUSTAIN-IT training in Bilbao has been a powerful reminder of how education can inspire change. From innovative teaching methods to the breathtaking landscapes of Euskadi, this week has shown us the importance of equipping young people with the skills and values they need to build a sustainable future. At Apodissi, we are proud to contribute to this journey, supporting teachers and students in Namibia. By the end of this month, we will be at work in Windhoek, to share the learnings of this training, with the Clocknet VTC School educators. Soon we will also make available the SUSTAIN-IT training materials on the Smart Step elearning platform to support dissemination and uptake of the developed training programme.”
The training week has laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration among European and African partners, ensuring that the SUSTAIN-IT Project will have lasting impact on vocational training and environmental education across Europe and Africa.
