DiverseVET is an innovative European initiative that establishes five national Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) for Diversity in Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, and Lithuania. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of vocational education and training (VET) systems to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while addressing the skills needs of the green and digital economy. By integrating inclusive practices into VET provision, DiverseVET contributes to creating more equitable pathways to education, training, and employment for all learners.

Despite progress in education and employment, significant barriers continue to affect the participation of many groups in vocational learning and labour market opportunities. DiverseVET addresses these challenges by focusing on the needs of underrepresented and disadvantaged populations, including women, migrants, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and older workers.

Through targeted interventions and stakeholder collaboration, the project promotes equal access to quality training and employment opportunities, ensuring that the benefits of the green and digital transitions are shared more broadly across society.

Developing Inclusive and Future-Oriented Learning Pathways

A core objective of DiverseVET is to enhance the inclusiveness and accessibility of vocational education in strategic sectors linked to sustainability and digitalisation. The project develops modular, learner-centred curricula at European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Levels 3 to 7, enabling flexible learning pathways that respond to diverse learner needs and labour market demands.

The new training programmes are designed to support both learners and employers by embedding inclusive methodologies, accessibility principles, and practical workplace skills into vocational education provision.

Building Capacity for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

DiverseVET aims to equip VET providers, trainers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools, competencies, and resources required to create inclusive learning and working environments.

A flagship achievement of the project is the development of specialised training pathways for emerging DEI-related occupations. These pathways respond to growing demand for professionals who can support organisations in meeting sustainability objectives, strengthening workplace inclusion, and addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting requirements.

Strengthening Regional Ecosystems Through Collaboration

DiverseVET adopts a multi-stakeholder approach that brings together vocational education providers, public authorities, employers, social partners, and civil society organisations. Through collaborative curriculum development, policy dialogue, and regional engagement activities, the project strengthens the capacity of local ecosystems to support inclusive growth and innovation.

The Centres of Vocational Excellence will act as regional hubs for knowledge exchange, experimentation, and cooperation, fostering stronger links between education, training, and employment.

DiverseVET Activities

The project implements a range of activities designed to support systemic change and increase the attractiveness of inclusive vocational education pathways. These include:

• SME engagement and capacity-building initiatives
• Diversity and Inclusion Innovation Labs
• Awareness-raising and outreach campaigns
• Policy development and stakeholder consultation activities
• Regional cooperation and networking events

These actions contribute to the wider adoption of inclusive practices across education and employment systems while supporting the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.

DiverseVET at a glance

• Stakeholder databases in each country, including SMEs, VET providers, DEI experts, and local policymakers
• 5 national Take-Off Workshops
• Minimum of 3 expert interviews per country focused on DEI, inclusive innovation, ESG, and sustainable SME transformation
• Surveys administered to at least 30 VET and HE staff and 50 students and pre-service professionals per country, focusing on skills, needs, and DEI awareness
• 5 country-level analysis reports and 5 public ‘Roadmap Pitch’ events to validate findings and present strategic DEI directions
• Development of at least 20 new DEI-driven training courses, modules, or study programmes:
  • 1 new VET course per country
  • 1 new VET module per country
  • 2 HE learning units per country
  • 1 transnational course
• 15 Inclusive Career Kits for roles in the digital, green, and ESG-aligned labour market
• 5 Inclusion and Innovation Career Days
• 5 National DEI Skills Competitions engaging 10 learners and 4 SMEs per country
• International internship programme mobilising up to 50 learners: 5 per country funded by the project, 5 more via
  Erasmus+ KA1, for 1 week mobility periods
• 10 Regio-DiverseVET blended learning offers (2 per country)
• 3 EURO-DiverseVET online courses (25–30 hours total) piloted with 50 learners across countries
• At least 5 cross-national DiverseVET Innovation Challenges focusing on ESG innovation and DEI transformation
• 5 stakeholder workshops in each country to assess regional skills gaps and map DEI-related needs
• 5 local awareness-raising events on DEI in vocational training and ESG-related workplace transformation.
• Development of 5 Strategic Plans and 5 Long-Term Action Plans for Regio-DiverseVET CoVEs
• 4 promotional videos and 4 themed social media campaigns focusing on DEI, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive training
• 8 short thematic publications summarising key project tools, outputs, and results
• 5 national engagement events, 5 development workshops, and 5 multiplier events
• 10 editions of Green Skills Horizons events spotlighting inclusive job profiles in green/digital sectors
• 10 editions of Eco Dialogues: Building Trust in Inclusive Workplaces, focused on DEI and ESG in SMEs
• 2 thematic conferences in Cyprus and Lithuania and 1 final conference in Greece