European Union – ENPI Programme
GEORGIA – Quality Enhancement and Capacity Building Support Programme in VET Sector of Georgia
This project is one of a number of initiatives within the on-going reform programme for the Georgian VET sector. Its overall objective is to support the VET sector reforms aiming at improving the VET system in Georgia by developing of resources and quality assurance schemes to meet the requirements of VET target groups, stakeholders and the labour market demand.
The specific objectives of the project are to:

1. Strengthen the relevance and quality of VET provision to different target groups (including vulnerable groups)
2. Strengthen capacity of stakeholders involved in VET education, particularly, VET institutions to manage/develop high quality VET provision, as well as policy makers (MoES) and its agencies) in designing and monitoring responsive policies.

The project is concerned with changing attitudes and perceptions of VET. It will contribute to the cultivation of a culture of quality in the VET sector and a commitment to continuous improvement in standards and outputs.
IFOA, as leading partner, is in charge of the overall management of the project activities and achievement of the expected results.
Project value: 1.168.200€
Duration: 09/2012 – 12/2013

Italian Ministry of Labours and Social Policies in cooperation with the European Union
MOLDOVA: Training of Trainers
foa won the tender published by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies aiming at professional training of trainers working in Moldovan training centers for adolescents in social disadvantage.
As part of the Thematic Programme Cooperation with third countries in the areas of Migration and Asylum, the European Commission published the Restricted Call for Proposals 2009-2010 EuropeAid/128764/C/ACT/Multi and the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, DG Immigration and Integration Policies, signed with the EC the Grant Contract for the implementation of the project “Addressing the Negative Effects of Migraton on Minors and Families Left Behind” in partnership with the Moldovan government and IOM Mission to Moldova.
In the context of a bilateral exchange with the competent authorities in the Republic of Moldova and in view of the attenuation of social disadvantage of children and adolescents, left alone in the country due to emigration abroad of Moldovan parents for work reasons, the project, besides further activities, foresees the implementation of training courses for trainers working in Vocational Training Centers in Moldova in order to update and increase the training offer.
Ifoa is in charge of training of trainers activities for 60 professionals from Moldovan Training Centers in specific productive sectors identified according to the Moldovan Labour market needs.
Main activities:

1. Theoretical and practical training of trainers;
2. Preparation and distribution of training materials to Moldovan trainers;
3. Testing.

The training of trainers will focus on the following three professional profiles:

• Tailor;
• Cook, confectioner, baker;
• Internal floor layer.

Project value: € 77.578
Duration: 07/2012 – 31/10/2012

European Union – ENPI Programme
ALGERIA: Recruitment of Support Unit for the project “Support for the employment sector in Algeria”
The overall project objective is to improve the promotion and regulation of the employment through strengthening the institutional capacity of ANEM (Algerian National Agency for Employment).
The specific objectives are: 1. To develop and implement a new reliable and efficient strategic information system within ANEM; 2. To strengthen ANEM competences at the national level through capacity building of its staff and the technical and administrative reorganization of its structures; 3. To facilitate, for both ANEM and Algerian Ministry of Employment and Social Security (MTESS), the adoption of an objective-based budget in line with the action plan axes under their respective competences; 4. To enhance the cooperation between ANEM and the Ministry of Employment in order to enable MTESS to participate actively in the institution of organisms for employment control and promotion as foreseen in the action plan; 5. To improve the information services for the final users on the services provided by ANEM through a coherent and effective communication plan.
Results:
1) the effectiveness of ANEM is increased;
2) the synergies between ANEM and MTESS in improving the promotion and regulation of employment, are strengthened.
Project value: € 3,388,134
Duration: 18/06/2012 –17/12/2014

European Union – ENPI Programme
LEBANON – Vocational Training and Employment Project, Agro-food at Qab Elias
Long and short-term technical assistance to support the creation of a comprehensive and replicable training model in the Agro-food Vocational School in Qab Elias, to be opened by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The school will offer BT level (Baccalaureate) and continuous education for agro-food industry workers and for the unemployed.
The technical assistance provides mainly the following expertise:

• Management of technical education and vocational training programmes
• Human resource management (in the agro-food sector)
• Professional training (in the agro-food sector)
• Labour market and employment strategies design and management

The TA supports the following institutions: Directorate General of Vocational Training, Syndicate of the Lebanese Agro-food Industries, Agro-food Vocational School in Qab Elias and National Employment Office.
Project value: 2.400.000 €
Duration: 01/2008 – 08/2011

European Union – Previous MEDA Programme
ALGERIA – Support to the programme for the reform of vocational education and training
The aim of the project is to adapt vocational education to the needs of enterprises and to create the best work opportunities and requalification in the labour market, targeting 800 social partners representatives and 80 Managers. The main activities of the project can be grouped in 3 mainstreams: 1) strategic pilot phase 2) start-up and functioning of the vocational education system related to the labour market demand 3) support in the identification of vocational measures matching the main Algerian economic sectors training needs.
Project value: 4.009.000 €
Duration: 12/2002 – 06/2010

European Union – Previous MEDA Programme
LEBANON – Improvement of employability of young Palestinian refugees- Technical assistance to VET providers working with Palestinian refugees
The project aims at supporting the modernisation and extension of VET provider’s capacities (Sibline training centre and other 4 with various branches in the area) in order to provide adequate training to Palestinian students for improving their employment perspectives. This is achieved mainly by upgrading existing courses, improving management, organisation and skills of staff and instructors, modernising equipments and training materials.
The project also supports the counselling, career guidance and placement services of UNRWA and other VET providers in order to support a better access of VET and higher education graduates to the labour market. This is achieved through the training of staff through the design and implementation of an adequate information system and guidance and placement methods and tools.
The specific objective is to increase the employability of young Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
The project has 3 fields of action: Upgrading and expanding VET delivery; Modernisation of counselling and placement service; Reinforcement of Palestinian students’ access to higher education.
Project value: 1.400.000 €
Duration: 08/2005 – 08/2008

European Union – Previous TACIS Programme
ARMENIA – Support to the Development of an Integrated VET System
The programme’s overall objective was to support the Armenian government, through the Ministry of Education, in the development of a high quality VET system contributing to an increased participation of the graduates and the workforce in the change process and resulting in better perspectives for their economic and working life. The project was organised along three components corresponding to the project targets:

• Improved quality and relevance of VET policy and strategy;
• Improved quality of VET institutions;
• Improved capacity to respond to employment and labour market needs.

The results to achieve were for Component 1: National policy and strategy developed, policy makers trained; Component 2: A sustainable national VET network established, university pedagogical programme for VET teachers developed, national policy and strategy for VET pre- and in-service teacher training developed; Component 3: Regional competencies in labour market matters created, new curricula and standards developed and implemented.
Project value: 2.500.000 €
Duration: 01/2004- 01/2007

European Union – Previous MEDA Programme
MOROCCO – Support to the programme for the reform of professional education and training
Provision of the management and consultancy expertise to the Programme Management Unit and the Support to enterprises for the reform of thevocational education and training system in Morocco in order to better meet the labour needs of local SMEs. The team was composed of: 1) a PMU in charge of identifying needs in curricula development, trainers training and purchasing of didactic equipment; validation of requests from local Training Centres; supervision of tendering cycle; monitoring of implementation of activities; budget and financial management; 2) Training Advisors in charge of identifying training needs inside local SMEs; developing training plans to satisfy the identified needs; assisting the reinforcement of professional associations to better support the SMEs and develop services, especially in the training field.
Economic sectors covered: Industry, Agriculture, Transports, Tourism, Civil and Public Works, Fishery, Services.
Project value: 3.900.000 €
Duration: 06/1999 – 12/2004

European Union –Previous TACIS Programme
ARMENIA – Establishment of an Accountancy Training Centre
Establishment of a technically and financially self-sustainable accountancy Training Centre providing post- graduate courses for students and professional training for trainers and practitioners to introduce the IAS – International Accounting Standards and the ISA – International Standards of Auditing. Tasks included: curricula developmentbased on ACCA syllabus for a 2 year post-graduate diploma in accounting and for professional short term courses; training courses to 700 practitioners, 150 students and 20 trainers in accountancy; design and delivery of a pilot distance education project; production of 11 didactic packages (English and Armenian language); support to the long-run activities of the Centres in terms of institutional building and enhancement of financial systems.
Project value: 1.750.000 €
Duration: 01/1998 – 08/2001

European Union –Previous TACIS Programme
UKRAINE – Support to the implementation of an accounting reform for enterprises
The project had two macro-objectives: a) support to the Ministry of Finance on how to implement the accounting reform through the development of new institutional and legislative regulations and the introduction of International Accounting Standards (IAS) and the development of Ukrainian Accounting Standards (UAS) in 6 pilot Companies; b) testing of new standards into six pilot enterprises. Main activities undertaken: policy advice to Ministry of Finance staff to develop UAS; advisory services and training on IAS to 6 local enterprises; organization of a study tour in Europe to accounting institutions and private companies for 20 Ministry of Finance staff; organization of training seminars and workshops; development of ad hoc and focused didactic guides to IAS.
Project value: 1.500.000 €
Duration: 12/1998 – 05/2000