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About Stripes

In Lebanon, communities are affected by humanitarian, economic and governmental crises that threaten their livelihoods. Unemployment numbers are high and increasing, particularly among young people. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) can make a meaningful contribution to socio-economic development in the country by providing urgently needed, relevant skills for the labour market.

By establishing STRIPES Centres the project aims to enhance T-VET’s capacity to develop and implement work-based learning programmes linking skilled graduates to the labour market. The objectives are to:

Develop

the institutional context and organisational capacity needed for the STRIPES centres to thrive.

Strengthen

the operational capacity of the STRIPES centres by delivering training on:

employability skills;
anticipatory systems for the T-VET institutions to develop future labour market responsive curriculum;
recruitment and internship coordination and mentoring and coaching.

Establish

two physical STRIPES centres and installing the tools necessary for inclusive digitisation.

Provide

training to digitise courses and to create an online STRIPES platform that links T-VET graduates to the labour market with intention to scale.

The project provides tailor-made training, workshops, study visits, co-design, training of trainers sessions supporting the establishment of the STRIPES centres and enabling the centres to play an interface-like role between the T-VETs, its students (internships) and graduates (employment), and the labour market. Additional expected outputs are: institutional policy documents & protocols; manuals, online platform, website. Ultimately, STRIPES aims to contribute to a positive image of T-VET education among students as well as stakeholders.

Testimonials

Jorn Dormans

Project coordinator, CIS-VU

I am thankful for this opportunity to work with such great partners in the STRIPES project. Together we hope to contribute to a positive discourse within TVET sector in general and more specifically in Lebanon. Globally TVET education is on the uprise as unemployment rates are high and there is a skill gap between education and the labour market. Learning by doing or work-based learning as a general principle gives many benefits including gaining first-hand work experience and having a higher chance of acquiring a job. I believe that TVET education, like other forms of education, should receive equal attention and it is due time that the workforce who is practically skilled gets the recognition they deserve in all its forms and diversity.

Ali Lwies

Area manager, Development and Regeneration Association INMAA

STRIPES project holds the potential to significantly enhance the Vocational Education and Training system in Lebanon by addressing several key areas, and mainly in our intervention’s area and its impact over our targeted beneficiaries. The implementation, hereby has the potential to modernize and strengthen vocational education, making it more responsive to the needs of both students and the labor market, in which it will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country by empowering individuals with relevant skills and qualifications for meaningful employment. Not to mention, in alignment with our vision, STRIPES will be institutionalized the same as the other INMAA ‘S facilities, regarding services provided.

Ahmad Dahrouj

Khoubourat HR program manager, IRADA

In response to Lebanon’s crises impacting youth and education, the STRIPES project enhances Technical and Vocational Education (T-VET). It tackles rising unemployment by equipping graduates with skills needed for the job market. STRIPES achieve this through establishing 2 specialized centers, connecting graduates with employers, and updating curriculums to address the skills gap present among T-VET graduates. This project aims to improve the perception of T-VET, making it a more attractive option for youth. By aligning with national policies, STRIPES project aims to contribute to sustainable livelihoods and supports a smooth transition for youth into meaningful employment, fostering Lebanon’s economic growth.

News

July 2, 2024

VU Amsterdam Team Welcomes Lebanese Colleagues for the EU-Funded STRIPES Project

Last week, the VU team welcomed colleagues from Lebanon and Slovenia as part of the EU-funded STRIPES project. This initiative builds on previous efforts, including the ‘Brighter Futures’ project (2020-2023), during which VU Amsterdam collaborated with CIS College, Lebanon’s largest Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) institution, and INMAA, an educational non-governmental organization (NGO). IRADA and Berytech are involved in the partnership as representatives of the Lebanese private sector. IRI UL from Slovenia offers its expertise in university-industry collaboration to support Lebanese organizations. The collaboration seeks to ensure that vocational education aligns with industry needs, thereby improving employment opportunities for graduates.

April 25, 2024

Yara Kabalan wins STRIPES logo competition

Yara Kabalan, a graphic design student at CIS Group Lebanon, won the STRIPES logo competition with an elegant and meaningful design. The competition, launched on February 21, saw over 20 entries, narrowed down to 6 by the CIS College’s department of arts committee. Yara’s logo, summarizing teamwork, employment, the physical center, and training aspects, was chosen through a voting process involving project partners. Her passion for visually expressing concepts shone through, and she dreams of becoming a professional in fine arts. This win contributes to the STRIPES project’s brand identity and its impact on the community.

April 11, 2024

STRIPES project consortium kick-off meeting

The three-day kick-off consortium meeting of the STRIPES project took place remotely during the thrid week of Februrary 2024 (13th, 14th and 16th). initiated in December 2023, the STRIPES project includes partners from Lebanon (CIS College, INMAA, IRADA in Berytech), the Netherlands (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), and Slovenia (IRI UL). Despite the lack of face-to-face interacion, the meeting maintained high quality. We dedicated time to getting to know each other and also engaged in planning, idea-sharing, and discussions about project’s direction.

Partners

EU - Lebanon cooperation

The STRIPES project includes five partners: VU Amsterdam (Netherlands), INMAA (Lebanon), IRADA (Lebanon), IRI UL (Slovenia), and CIS College (Lebanon), with an associated partner, Berytech (Lebanon).

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Centre for International Cooperation – CIS-VU

The VU Centre for International Cooperation (CIS) is VU Amsterdam’s central hub for international cooperation since 1955. Together with partners globally, CIS coordinates programmes and projects in capacity sharing, education, research and outreach to create value from knowledge, contributing to the sustainable future of planet and people.

CIS College

CIS College, a leader in Lebanon’s vocational education since 1991, serves over 30,000 students across 26 branches. Offering diverse programs and collaborating with NGOs, CIS College links graduates to the job market.

Development & Regeneration Association – INMAA

INMAA is a Lebanese NGO focusing on healthcare, education, emergency response, and food security. It operates four healthcare facilities, a school, and extends services including vocational training and psychosocial support, prioritizing marginalized groups and individuals with disabilities.

Federation of Businessmen for Support and Development – IRADA

IRADA, established in 2013, represents 250 Lebanese businesses across sectors, fostering community development through programs like KHOUBOURAT, Taalam, and Tafawwaq, focusing on job matching and career support at no cost.

Institute for Innovation and Development of University of Ljubljana – IRI UL

IRI UL believes innovation stems from uniting diverse perspectives in R&D, project management, counseling, and education, fostering a collaborative, creative environment across multiple disciplines.

Berytech (Associated Partner)

Berytech fosters a dynamic ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Lebanon, supporting startups and SMEs in technology and innovation. It connects stakeholders, influences policy, and aims to create jobs in the region.