Bethlehem, Palestine – July 10, 2025
The VET4Social Impact project has taken a significant step forward with the successful convening of its first Advisory Group meeting in Bethlehem, Palestine. This inaugural session marked a pivotal milestone in the implementation of our initiative, which aims to enhance vocational education and training and drive meaningful social impact across communities.
Hosted by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the meeting gathered key stakeholders and institutional representatives from the local VET ecosystem. BCCI Project Leader welcomed the participants and underscored the Advisory Group’s vital role in providing strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the project remains responsive to local needs.
The session featured a comprehensive presentation of the VET4SI project, including its objectives, targeted beneficiaries, expected outcomes, and its overarching vision of leveraging VET to promote inclusive social development. Particular emphasis was placed on addressing current socio-economic challenges by linking training programs to tangible social benefits.
Participants from a range of institutions – including the Directorate of Tourism and Antiquities, business incubators, vocational training centers, and tourism institutes – expressed strong alignment with the project’s vision. Their feedback highlighted several shared priorities:
- Bridging existing gaps between vocational training and community impact.
- Fostering institutional collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Ensuring inclusivity, particularly by engaging youth, women, and marginalized populations.
- Learning from successful case studies to enhance project relevance and scalability.
Throughout the meeting, the Advisory Group demonstrated a clear commitment to co-creation and participatory planning. Members agreed to appoint focal points for ongoing coordination, hold quarterly meetings, and document best practices and lessons learned to guide future actions.
The session concluded with unanimous enthusiasm and optimism about the path ahead. The partners reaffirmed their dedication to building a collaborative, inclusive, and impact-driven VET model. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled soon to refine the implementation roadmap and finalize upcoming activities.
The VET4Social Impact project continues to build momentum, laying a strong foundation for lasting change through partnership, innovation, and community-centered training initiatives.
