The GROW Project (Construction Waste Remediation and Recycling Vocational Training in Sub-Saharan Africa) has officially commenced following a successful virtual kick-off meeting that brought together European and African partners to launch a transformative initiative aimed at addressing construction waste challenges while creating green jobs in Nigeria and Mozambique.
The GROW Project (Construction Waste Remediation and Recycling Vocational Training in Sub-Saharan Africa) has officially commenced following a successful virtual kick-off meeting that brought together European and African partners to launch a transformative initiative aimed at addressing construction waste challenges while creating green jobs in Nigeria and Mozambique.
Funded under the European Union’s Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training programme, the project seeks to strengthen vocational training systems by equipping young people, construction workers and educators with green, digital and entrepreneurial skills required to manage construction and demolition waste sustainably. By focusing on practical skills development and labour market relevance, GROW aims to support a more resilient and environmentally responsible construction sector.
The kick-off meeting provided a platform for partners to align on project objectives, implementation strategies and expected outcomes. Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering innovation in the construction industry, promoting circular economy practices and expanding access to decent employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women.
Speaking at the meeting, the project coordinator, Isabel Gonçalves of MQ Research and Development noted that the construction sector remains one of the largest contributors to waste generation in sub-Saharan Africa. She added that the sector also offers significant potential for job creation and economic growth if managed sustainably. According to her, the GROW Project is designed to turn construction waste into an opportunity by building relevant skills, supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening collaboration between vocational institutions, industry and government.
The 24-month project, scheduled to run from January 2026 to December 2027, will modernise technical and vocational education and training curricula, build the capacity of instructors and managers and pilot an innovative vocational training programme in both Nigeria and Mozambique. It will also promote work-based learning through internships, job fairs and support for micro-entrepreneurship focused on construction waste recycling and material recovery. At least 30 per cent of project beneficiaries will be women, reinforcing the project’s strong commitment to gender inclusion.
GROW brings together a diverse consortium of partners from Europe and Africa, including vocational training institutions, universities, public authorities and private sector actors. Through cross-border collaboration and structured knowledge exchange, the project aligns with EU Global Gateway priorities, national development strategies in Nigeria and Mozambique and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
As implementation begins, partners will undertake skills needs assessments and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure demand-driven training and long-term sustainability. The GROW Project is expected to reduce the environmental impact of construction activities, strengthen vocational education systems and create pathways to decent green jobs for young people across sub-Saharan Africa.