Background
Within the framework of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), the European Commission prioritised economic development programmes that:
- address skills gaps in vocational qualifications,
- enhance employability through improved TVET systems, and
- support job creation and self-employment opportunities, with a strong focus on strengthening Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
ARCHIPELAGO was designed as a regional action under the EUTF for the Sahel and Lake Chad region. It was developed by sequa in cooperation with EUROCHAMBRES, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and CPCCAF, the network of Francophone chambers in Africa and Europe.
Overall Objective
The overall objective was to enhance the employability of the workforce within existing and future MSMEs and to strengthen the entrepreneurial capacities of business leaders.
Specific Objectives
- To improve local employment opportunities and youth employability.
- To develop local education and TVET resources tailored to private sector demand.
Implementation Approach
The programme launched two Calls for Proposals to identify, support, and finance relevant partnership projects contributing to the programme objectives.
Each partnership project had a duration of 20 to 32 months and a budget ranging from EUR 400,000 to EUR 600,000. In total, 20 projects were selected and contracts signed in the following countries:
- Burkina Faso (2 projects)
- Côte d’Ivoire (2)
- Ghana (2)
- Cameroon (4)
- Mali (1)
- Mauritania (2)
- Niger (1)
- Senegal (4)
- Chad (2)
The 20 funded projects were implemented by international consortia comprising 45 African and 40 European partners. The interventions focused on employment creation across a broad range of economic sectors, including agriculture, agro-processing, hospitality, construction, electricity, solar energy, textiles, port logistics, and crafts.
The primary target group consisted of young people and vulnerable groups with limited employability or unemployed individuals, with particular attention to women and returning migrants (final beneficiaries).
Additional target groups included formal and informal (in the process of formalisation) MSMEs; chambers and business associations; training centres; companies organising dual training schemes; and organisations supporting the socio-professional reintegration of returnees.
Institutional Partnership Approach
ARCHIPELAGO was based on an institutional partnership model: European chambers and business associations partnered with African chambers, associations, and training institutions to deliver labour market-oriented skills development in close cooperation with the private sector.
Training delivery combined classroom-based vocational education in training centres with work-based learning components. By strengthening demand-driven skills development systems, the programme contributed to socio-economic stabilisation in the target countries.
Results and Impact
The programme achieved significant and measurable results:
- 7,130 young people trained in dual vocational training (40% women)
- 3,000 individuals trained in entrepreneurship
- 11,500 direct beneficiaries and 46,000 indirect beneficiaries
- 1,800 company directors sensitised on TVET and work-based learning
- New or revised TVET programmes developed and improved
- 60 new relevant services developed and delivered by Business Support Organisations (BSOs)
- 800 MSMEs involved in identifying skills gaps
30 training providers and 20 BSOs mobilised, trained, and strengthened to enhance TVET service delivery
