The EVETTI project, formally titled “Enhancing VET Textile Innovation”, was funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme. It ran from January 2023 to December 2025, with a total budget and EU contribution of EUR 320 thousand. Coordinated by Brighter Smiles v/Hongslo (Norway), the consortium brought together vocational education and training (VET) providers, universities, industry organisations and civil society partners from Uganda, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Türkiye. EVETTI aimed to strengthen vocational education and training capacity in Uganda’s textile ecosystem through curriculum modernisation, institutional capacity building and the integration of digital, entrepreneurial and sustainability-related skills. Through a hybrid learning approach and international collaboration, the project supported the development of competencies aligned with the needs of the textile industry while promoting circular economy principles and environmental and social governance across textile value chains.

Key achievements of the project include:

• Development of a new textile curriculum for vocational education and training institutions, integrating industry-relevant technical skills, sustainability concepts and environmental and social governance principles.
• Establishment and upgrading of training infrastructure, including textile production equipment, digital fabrication tools and ICT resources supporting practical learning and entrepreneurship.
• Creation of hybrid learning environment by e-learning platforms communication tools and digital resources, strengthening institutional capacity and improving access to vocational training.
• Development of reference educational frameworks and capacity-building resources designed to support the modernisation of vocational education and facilitate closer alignment between training provision and labour market needs.
   

While EVETTI focused on strengthening vocational education and training capacity in Uganda’s textiles ecosystem, it also contributed to broader EU objectives related to skills development, sustainability and international cooperation. Through the modernisation of textile curricular and the integration of circular economy principles, and environmental and social governance (ESG) concepts, digital learning approaches and entrepreneurial skills, the project promoted more sustainable and future-oriented practices across textile value chains. The project also supported Erasmus+ objectives by strengthening vocational education systems, fostering closer links between education and industry, and improving access to skills development opportunities. Given the global nature of textile value chains, initiatives such as EVETTI can help promote shared sustainability standards, responsible production practices and skills development beyond the EU, while creating opportunities for European education providers, industry stakeholders, public institutions and other stakeholders to engage in international cooperation and capacity-building activities.

EVETTI was implemented through close cooperation between vocational education providers, universities, industry organisations and civil society partners from Europe and Uganda. The consortium combined expertise in textile education, curriculum development, digital learning, entrepreneurship and community engagement, supporting knowledge exchange across different ecosystems and global regions. Knowledge transfer was facilitated through joint project meetings, research activities, curriculum development processes and training initiatives. Project results were disseminated through a dedicated website, social media channels and stakeholder engagement activities.