EU Eager to Boost Cooperation with Central Asia in Regards to Human Resource Development

Reborn for the Future: EU's Transformative Education Initiative in Central Asia

Let's dive into the heart of the European Union's (EU) groundbreaking endeavor, the DARYA project, a 10 million euro (roughly US$11.4 million) educational initiative that storms Central Asia with the powerhouse of human capital development. Launched in 2022, DARYA, short for Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia, symbolizes the unstoppable flow of ideas, growth, and cross-border connection, mirroring the very essence of a river.

Pilvi Torsti, the director of the European Training Foundation (ETF), emphasizes that while infrastructure projects shine bright in EU-Central Asia relations, human capital investment could be the most transformative force in the long run. With the ETF's 30-year journey in Central Asia, she expresses the importance of steady, long-term connections and transformative education and training systems.

"Welcome to the DARYA project, the EU's epicenter of human capital development. As the first initiative of this size, we're bringing years of ETF's knowledge and experience to the table," Torsti enthused during a meeting with Central Asian journalists in Brussels on June 10.

While DARYA's work is still unfolding, Torsti highlights two strategic objectives that will spur its efficiency. First, she aims to boost the quality and inclusivity of educational systems, promoting inclusivity in a holistic approach to education, training, and employment across Central Asia. Second, she feels compelled to bridge the gap of participatory dialogue on the national, regional, and Central Asian-EU levels, opening avenues for collaboration and stimulating discussion.

As a seasoned journalist herself, Torsti underlines the significance of incorporating the skills component and capacity building into projects by design, including those massive digital and green transition projects, to secure their sustainability.

Beyond the DARYA project, the ETF supports an ambitious vocational education and training reform in the region, offering a platform for continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling. The SCAFFOLD program, which focuses on training teachers and trainers in the green and digital sectors, has already made strides in Kazakhstan. This year, 50 new schools are set to join the program, highlighting a zealous commitment to better equip the future workforce for the next industrial revolution.

In a joint statement following the EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand in April, EU and Central Asian leaders confirmed their dedication to deepen cooperation in education, guidance, and skills development. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the historic importance of the EU as a science and education partner, proposing an Erasmus+ for Central Asia program to develop professionals in crucial fields such as artificial intelligence, water resource management, and biotechnology.

The DARYA project is a keystone in a broader effort to strengthen EU-Central Asia ties by fostering human capital development, spurring education reforms, and bolstering skills development. By empowering the future generation, the EU aims to ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for Central Asia.

Insight: The DARYA project builds on three key services: monitoring and analysis, knowledge and foresight, and policy advice[1]. The project focuses on enhancing the quality and inclusivity of education, promoting regional cooperation, and transforming vocational education and training systems through internationalization, education reforms, and the establishment of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs)[2][3]. The project also relies on collaborative activities such as peer learning visits, seminars, and the use of assessment tools like ISATCOVE[4][5].

The DARYA project, led by the European Union, is aimed at fostering personal growth and career development by enhancing the quality and inclusivity of education systems across Central Asia.
In line with this goal, the project seeks to bridge the gap in participatory dialogue on national, regional, and Central Asian-EU levels, stimulating discussion and promoting skills training for digital and green transition projects.
Beyond the DARYA project, efforts are being made to strengthen education and skills development, such as an Erasmus+ for Central Asia program proposed by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to develop professionals in fields like artificial intelligence and biotechnology, thereby contributing to job-search opportunities in the future.

EU Eager to Boost Cooperation with Central Asia in Regards to Human Resource Development