EU-Funded”SUSTAIN-IT”Project to support African TVET students fight against Climate change and protect the environment with Digital tools

EU-Funded “SUSTAIN-IT “ Project to support African TVET Students fight against climate change and protect the environment with digital tools.

A new and exciting project called SUSTAIN-IT has been launched, funded by the European Commission, to help young people in Africa fight against climate change and protect the environment with digital tools. This initiative focuses on improving Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by incorporating digital tools that can monitor and analyze environmental issues. The project is set to run from 2025 to 2027 under the Erasmus+ program.

The SUSTAIN-IT project brings together several partners from Europe and Africa. European participants include Politeknika Txorierri, Asociación Mundus from Spain, and APRO Formazione from Italy. On the African side, the project includes Don Bosco Provincialat in Rwanda, Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH), Simukai Vocational Skills Training Hub in Zimbabwe, and Apodissi in Namibia. This collaboration aims to share knowledge and resources, creating a strong network focused on environmental education.

One of the main goals of SUSTAIN-IT is to raise awareness among TVET teachers and students about the importance of monitoring the environment. Participants will learn how to use digital tools like the Internet of Things (IoT), sensor technologies, and Arduino dashboards. These tools will help them focus on key environmental issues such as solar energy, air quality, and water quality. This approach with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the role of education in fighting climate change.

The SUSTAIN-IT project is the creation of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). This course will train TVET educators on how to effectively use digital tools in their classrooms. Topics will include data-driven STEM education, basic Arduino programming, and how to visualize data. After completing the course, teachers will receive certificate to recognize their achievements and enhance their professional skills.

The project will also include three real-life examples to help students understand environmental issues. These examples will focus on measuring solar energy production, checking air quality, and testing water quality by looking at pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. And also, a National Training Webinar will be held to equip African TVET teachers with simple challenges and useful resources for ecological monitoring.

In 2026, SUSTAIN-IT plans to launch the Smart Step eLearning platform, a free resource for TVET schools and students across Sub-Saharan Africa. This platform will be in different languages, which will allow users to easily access information and tools. It will provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and job listings. With an expected membership of nearly 2,000 people from over 48 countries, the Smart Step platform aims to create a vibrant community focused on sustainability and digital learning.

The SUSTAIN-IT project not only addresses urgent environmental issues but also highlights the critical role of youth in creating a sustainable future. By equipping African TVET centers with advanced educational resources, the initiative promote innovation and environmental sustainability. As the world faces the challenges of climate change, projects like SUSTAIN-IT offer hope, showing how education and technology can empower young people to take action for the planet.

By Louise Mukanyandwi