On April 19th, the ORGANIC ECOSYSTEM and HELIOS projects met virtually in order to explore possible cooperation actions and synergies between both of them. Eng. Alaa Wahbe from the National Agricultural Research Center of Jordan (NARC), partner of HELIOS based in Jordan, attended the meeting representing the project. 

HELIOS project has as objective to tackle the challenge of reducing the high rates of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training), unemployment and prominent skills mismatch, which is still present in the Mediterranean region. Curricula for skills courses are often not based on a strategic analysis of the local economy and/or consultation with local enterprises in order to determine sectors of potential growth capable of absorbing new trainees. Therefore, HELIOS aims to focus on the Blue and Circular Economy (BaCE), identified as an economic sector with great potential for regenerative economic growth among NEETs. The project will provide innovative approaches to targeted and adapted training courses for skills that meet the specific needs of the labour market in the area of BaCE and the needs of NEETs, based on direct interaction with local institutions.

During the meeting, it was also stated that the HELIOS project aims toward enhancing capacities in the organic agriculture sector. On the one hand, local economies will be enriched thanks to the increase of labour workforce trained consistently with actual business needs, upgrading of professional skills of vulnerable unemployed people, and professional mobility across the Mediterranean region. On the other hand, it is expected that low skilled people will increase their chance to find employment. In addition, a stronger link between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and the needs of local enterprises will be established.

The meeting also made room to an open discussion between participants who were interested in both projects. Finally, it was agreed that further cooperation will be made between the two projects in the future to support their results.

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