European Training Foundation Director in Central Asia for the first time to support education of youth
3 December 2024 – Since yesterday, ETF Director Pilvi Torsti has been in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss the Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia (DARYA) project. Over two days, Director Torsti is meeting high-level policymakers and stakeholders to explore strategies for inclusive education and skills development in the region. Following that, she will travel to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for a high-level meeting with Deputy Ministers of Education and Labour from Central Asian countries.
This visit to Central Asia represents an important moment for the DARYA project, the European Union’s first regional initiative aimed at promoting education, youth employment, and skills development in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It is also the first time that an ETF Director has visited the region, marking a new strategic phase in the ETF’s long-standing collaboration with Central Asia.
DARYA: A flagship EU-Central Asia initiative
The DARYA project aligns with the European Union’s Central Asia Strategy, launched in 2019, highlighting the importance of the role of education as a platform for cooperation between the EU and Central Asia. Funded by the European Union and implemented by the ETF, this initiative supports communities, especially women and young people, in adapting to global challenges through skills development and employment opportunities.
“DARYA demonstrates the EU’s and ETF’s commitment to inclusive development in Central Asia,” said Pilvi Torsti. “By equipping young people with the skills they need, we aim to promote sustainable growth and strengthen the resilience of communities in the region.”
Astana, 2-3 December: Supporting inclusion policies in the region
In Astana, Director Torsti met with Gani Beisembayev, Minister of Education; Akmadi Sarbassov, Acting Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and Vice Minister of Labour and Social Protection Biakhmetov. Discussions focused on promoting inclusive education systems to bridge skills gaps and on enhancing opportunities for youth employment through targeted initiatives. Furthermore, they discussed strengthening regional cooperation to address labour market challenges. These objectives will be further explored in meetings with regional policymakers, EU representatives, and international organisations.
Tashkent, 4-5 December: Strengthening dialogue to design the way forward
In Tashkent, the ETF Director will participate in a High-Level Group meeting, facilitating dialogue among Deputy Ministers of Education and Labour from Central Asia, EU officials, and international organisations such as the EBRD, ADB, and UNICEF. The agenda includes addressing complex policy challenges and promoting sustainability to tackle emerging trends.
Key participants include:
- Terhi Hakala, European Union Special Representative for Central Asia
- Kongratbay Sharipov, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Uzbekistan.
Background
DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia) is a five-year EU-funded project (2022–2027) with a €10 million budget. It aims to:
Locally: Stimulate post-pandemic recovery by improving the quality and inclusiveness of education, training, and labour markets.
Globally: Promote regional cooperation and mutual dialogue among Central Asian countries.
The European Training Foundation (ETF), headquartered in Turin, Italy, is the EU agency supporting reforms in education, training, and labour markets across 28 partner countries, particularly in the context of EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies.
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Press Office: Daria Santucci, +39 366 9639638, [email protected]