EU- Micronesia
Modernising teachers’ and students’ trainings for the motivation towards blue and green careers in the Federated States of Micronesia
The Future of Micronesia: Educational Innovations for a Blue and Green Economy
The project aims to kickstart a reform of the education system in Micronesia through modern teacher training that prepares a new generation of students for successful careers in ecology and sustainable economics. The modernisation of higher education is built on the introduction of flexible digital courses and innovative micro-credentials, making quality education accessible even to young people in the most remote island communities. This process is complemented by the establishment of strong partnerships between universities and the business sector, ensuring better employability for graduates and supporting the country’s smooth transition toward a modern blue and green labor market.
Why EU-Micronesia Matters
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is among the countries with the highest environmental vulnerability index in the world. Despite Pacific island nations contributing only 0.03% to global emissions, they face direct threats such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and typhoons. The EU-Micronesia project is crucial because:
Addressing the Skills Gap: The region lacks professionals equipped to tackle climate change in key sectors such as fisheries, agroforestry, and coastal resource management.
Overcoming Geographical Barriers: Access to higher education is limited for students from remote islands. The project introduces digital learning and micro-credentials, making education accessible from anywhere.
Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods: The "Blue" and "Green" economy sectors are the backbone of survival for families in remote areas and constitute a significant part of the country’s GDP (Agriculture 15%, Fisheries 9%).
Who We Are
We are an international consortium of academic institutions, government bodies, and the private sector from Europe and Micronesia, joining forces under the Erasmus+ program:
Coordinator: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia).
Academic Partners: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy) and College of Micronesia-FSM (Micronesia).
Expert Partners: Igor Vitale International srl (Italy) and Micronesia Justice Initiative (Micronesia).
Governmental Partner: National Department of Education (Micronesia).
Together, we work to modernize the education system in line with the priorities of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the goals of the European Green Deal.
What We Do
Over a 36-month period, the EU-Micronesia project implements concrete steps to transform higher education in Micronesia:
Teacher Education Reform: We are modernizing initial and continuous teacher training to better guide students toward careers in the environment and oceans.
Digital and Flexible Learning: We are creating an interactive platform and an ecosystem of 12 micro-credentials, allowing students from remote islands to gain professional skills in "blue" and "green" professions.
Connecting with Practice: We are building an alliance between universities and businesses. We are introducing innovative career guidance services and internship models to facilitate the transition from school directly into the sustainable economy workforce.
Capacity Building: We conduct hands-on training directly in Micronesia (Pohnpei, Yap) and in Europe (Slovakia, Italy) for teachers, students, and representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises.