18/06/2026
More than 50 representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, training institutions and development partners gathered in Guinea-Bissau for a three-day technical dialogue to lay the foundations for a National TVET Financing Fund.
The establishment of the fund is part of the component led by UNESCO-UNEVOC under the DIRECT project, reflecting a shared commitment to building sustainable, demand-driven financing mechanisms for TVET.
During the workshop, Olivier Pieume, Chief of the Technical Cooperation Unit at UNESCO-UNEVOC, highlighted the importance of financing systems built on quality assurance, institutional coordination and strategic partnerships between government, training providers and development partners.
Participants also examined TVET financing models from Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar and Senegal to help inform the design of a fund tailored to Guinea-Bissau’s own context and priorities.
Fernando Trabada-Crende, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation, noted that investing in vocational training is investing in the human capital of Guinea-Bissau. Genevieve Boutin, UN Resident Coordinator, described the proposed fund as an instrument of systemic transformation for young people, enterprises and the country as a whole.
This process is supported through the DIRECT project, a five-year initiative funded by the EuropeanUnion and implemented by UNESCO.
Bureau régional de l'Unesco à Dakar
