CELF will take the lead on an EU-funded project aimed at increasing young people’s interest in vocational education in the Fehmarn Belt region while contributing to the green transition. The project, Den Dobbelte Omstilling i Grænselandet (DDOG) (Double Transition in the Border Region, ed.), is supported by nearly 8 million Danish kroner from the EU’s Interreg Deutschland-Danmark fund.
The goal of the DDOG project is to improve the quality and relevance of vocational education by making digitalization and circular economy central elements of the curriculum.
Sustainability and digitalization
The project will involve approximately 450 students and 340 teachers from both Denmark and Germany. Students will participate in cross-border exchanges and innovative digital learning programs that integrate sustainability and technological insights into practical education. Additionally, a comprehensive database of teaching materials on circular economy will be created and made available to all participating schools.
– We are pleased to launch the DDOG project, which will not only enhance the quality of vocational education but also strengthen young people’s interest in pursuing a skilled education. The project holds significant potential for ensuring a qualified workforce with a focus on digitalization and sustainability, says Kathrine Monsrud Ekelund, Danish chair of the Interreg Committee and a member of the regional council in Region Zealand (Social Democrats).
CELF as coordinator
CELF plays a key role as project coordinator, serving as the link between Danish and German partners, including Køge Business College, Zealand Academy of Technologies and Business, and several vocational schools from Schleswig-Holstein.
In addition to technical skills, DDOG emphasizes intercultural understanding and language proficiency, which are crucial in a region where cross-border collaboration is becoming increasingly integrated. This strengthens companies’ access to qualified labor and enables students to work in an international environment.
– CELF’s leadership in this project is essential to achieving the results we aim for. By focusing on education that combines digitalization and sustainability, we are creating a unified and cohesive labor market in the Fehmarn Belt region, says Stefan Leyk, German chair of the Interreg Committee.
Investment in the future
The project is part of the Interreg Deutschland-Danmark program, which promotes sustainable development and cross-border collaboration. The DDOG project is expected to have a lasting impact by making vocational education more relevant and inspiring, while simultaneously bolstering the green and digital transition.
