WITH: empowerment, innovation and sustainability

Tuesday 17 December 2024

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WITH promotes the empowerment of young women and the improvement of professional skills in the tourism and hospitality sector. During the last week of November, the project held its final meeting and conference in Cape Town, South Africa, marking the culmination of its impactful journey.

WITH and the challenges of the tourism sector

Launched to address critical challenges in the tourism and hospitality sector, the WITH project centred on four main objectives:

  • Equipping VET Professionals: Enhancing the skills of vocational education and training (VET) professionals to deliver programmes aligned with labour market demands.
  • Empowering Women: Providing young women and girls with the personal and entrepreneurial skills necessary for successful careers and ventures in the tourism and hospitality industry.
  • Linking Education and Employment: Strengthening connections between vocational education and the labour market by offering experiential learning opportunities.
  • Promoting Sustainable Tourism: Raising awareness of sustainable tourism practices, supporting women entrepreneurs to drive environmental and social change.

The meeting in Cape Town

The final meeting in Cape Town brought together project partners to reflect on the initiative’s achievements and share insights into the challenges encountered. Discussions centred on the sustainable impact of the project and ways to integrate its outcomes into future initiatives.

The final conference

The final conference, integrated into the 2024 AWIEF (Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum) conference, attracted a diverse audience, including policy makers, industry leaders, educators, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Sessions featured discussions on best practices in VET, strategies for empowering women in entrepreneurship, and integrating sustainability into tourism enterprises. Key highlights included:

  • Sharing Innovative Practices: Presenting methodologies and tools to enhance vocational training.
  • Celebrating Women’s Success: Highlighting stories of women who had successfully launched careers or businesses thanks to the project’s support.
  • Fostering Sustainability: Exploring ways to embed sustainable practices in tourism, ensuring economic growth aligns with environmental and social goals.

The collaborative spirit of the conference inspired attendees, who expressed enthusiasm for applying the project’s lessons in their own contexts.

A lasting legacy

As the WITH project concludes, it leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, innovation, and sustainability. By addressing critical gaps in skills development, gender equity, and sustainable practices, the project has made a lasting impact on the tourism and hospitality industry. Its outcomes will continue to inspire future initiatives and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable growth in the sector.

About the project

WITH – Boosting Women Entrepreneurship Education in Tourism and Hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa is a project funded by Erasmus + Capacity building in the field of VET.

Partners

For further information

Read more about the project, visit https://withproject.eu/, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, X and YouTube.

Contact Liliana Cipolla: liliana.cipolla@cesie.org.

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