When the Erasmus+ programme officially launched its student pilot in February 2026, it marked the beginning of months of intense learning for the learners in Ghana, Angola and São Tomé and PrÃncipe. The programme included a carefully curated curriculum co-designed to reflect both the project’s circular economy methodology and the realities of local labour markets in the three countries.
In Ghana, the recruitment process was led by Presbyterian Relief Services and Development (PRSD) and Ramseyer Technical Institute. More than 500 applications were received, and the institute chose learners based on their educational background, prior exposure to waste or environmental activities, and demonstrated commitment before selecting 50 learners.
Those 50 learners have now completed the first phase of their training at the Ramseyer Vocational & Technical Institute (RVTI) in Ghana. Over the course of the programme, students were introduced to foundational concepts of the green and circular economy, including e-waste recycling and responsible disposal, fabric waste recycling and upcycling innovation, and practical strategies for extracting value from waste.
“At RVTI, we are proud to be nurturing environmentally conscious and solution-driven individuals who are ready to drive change in their communities and beyond,” the institute noted, reflecting a sentiment that runs through the programme’s broader ambition: that equipping young people with circular economy skills is not just an educational intervention, but a contribution to more sustainable waste management systems across West Africa.
The cohort also went on an educational visit to the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) and Unijay Fashions. During this visit, learners were exposed to real-world processes such as waste sorting, plastic recycling, compost production, material recovery, textile waste management, and environmentally sustainable production.
With the first phase of the programme completed, students will move on to preparing final projects and group work under the guidance of their certified trainers. Their ideas from this project are expected to strengthen their employment chances in the labour market and form the groundwork for locally rooted green micro-enterprises.
The CircuWasteVETAfrica Learner’s programme is a vocational pilot training that is taking place in Ghana, Angola, and São Tomé and PrÃncipe, with 150 learners enrolled across the three countries.
