The Villum Foundation has granted 17 million DKK to EuroSkills 2025 to support a collaboration with the organization Divérs. This partnership aims to enhance the focus on diversity within vocational education throughout Europe. As a result, EuroSkills Herning 2025 will become more than just an educational event – it will serve as a platform for lasting change within the skills movement.
EuroSkills 2025 is committed to create lasting changes within the skills movement, with a heightened focus on key areas such as the green transition. The grant from the Villum Foundation and the collaboration with Divérs add another vital focus: Promoting diversity in vocational education. These dual priorities – sustainability and diversity – were key considerations in the foundation’s decision to provide funding. Villum Foundation Program Director Agi Csonka explains:
“EuroSkills Herning 2025 strengthens interest in vocational education, and its focus on sustainability aligns well with Villum Foundation’s values. We are pleased to contribute to making young skilled professionals leaders in the green transition. With a special focus on diversity, we also support efforts to encourage more people to choose vocational education, which benefits both Denmark and Europe.”
The funding is warmly welcomed by EuroSkills 2025, which looks forward to collaborating with Divérs. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Chairman of EuroSkills 2025, shares his enthusiasm:
“The Villum Foundation’s generous grant makes me particularly proud because it enables us to host a world-class event while collaborating with Divérs to spotlight diversity in vocational education and industries before and during the event. Diversity in workplaces is a passion of mine, and this partnership provides a unique opportunity to introduce Divérs’ methods to more European countries. This way, Denmark’s hosting of the largest educational event in Danish history takes on a new dimension and leaves an international mark on the push for greater diversity in vocational education.”
EuroSkills Herning 2025 Provides a European Network for Divérs
Divérs works to ensure equal opportunities for all and has worked with the Boss Ladies project since 2018, which encourages more women to pursue technical vocational education where they remain underrepresented. Through collaboration with EuroSkills 2025, Divérs will expand on its methodologies from the Boss Ladies initiative. The grant will support the establishment of a European network consisting of ten female skilled athletes who will serve as role models for young women in their home countries. Alongside, the Boss Ladies role models will participate in various events highlighting diversity, both at the competition venue at MCH Messecenter Herning and in the Skills Village where participants stay during the event. Additionally, Divérs aims to use the event to launch an international collaboration on the diversity agenda, ensuring it continues even after the event concludes.
“The grant from the Villum Foundation enables us at Divérs to bring the diversity agenda to a European stage. We understand the importance of community, especially for minorities in educational institutions or workplaces, and we look forward to creating a supportive network for women across Europe. It’s equally important to emphasize that no one’s opportunities to win medals at EuroSkills Herning 2025 should be limited just because they’re women. This is why we’re so proud of the grant, which strengthens our efforts to put diversity firmly on the European agenda,” says Nina Groes, Director and founder of Divérs.
The Villum Foundation is optimistic about Divérs’ potential to make an impact on a European scale.
“Villum Foundation already supports the Boss Ladies project in Denmark, where their initiatives have led some vocational schools to nearly double their intake of women in technical education. It will be exciting to see these experiences expanded into a European context, as there is also a great need for skilled craftsmen and women across Europe,” concludes Agi Csonka.
Published: 05.12.24