The Communications Manager of the Association of Portuguese-Speaking National Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) took part in the “Regional Erasmus+ Cluster Meeting and Contact-Making Seminar 2026 for Sub-Saharan Africa”, held on 19 and 20 May, in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together representatives from academic institutions, youth organisations, international networks and European and African bodies involved in education, youth, innovation and international cooperation.
The event, organised by the European Commission as part of the Erasmus+ programme, was held under the theme “Developing skills for the future” and focused on skills development for the future, pedagogical innovation, employability, academic mobility and strengthening cooperation between Africa and Europe.
ACOLOP’s participation provided an important opportunity for institutional networking and the establishment of new strategic partnerships, enabling it to strengthen links with universities, youth organisations, vocational training bodies and potential partners for future Erasmus+ applications.
During the seminar, topics such as the validation of skills, innovation and research, teaching methodologies, youth employability and the development of digital skills were discussed – areas directly in line with ACOLOP’s mission to promote youth, education, social inclusion and cooperation within the Portuguese-speaking world.
The participation also served to highlight the project Sporting Unity, funded by Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges, as a concrete example of the positive impact of the international cooperation carried out by ACOLOP.
Sporting Unity brings together African and European partners and promotes intercultural dialogue, education through sport, social inclusion and the development of young people’s skills, demonstrating ACOLOP’s ability to participate in international consortia and lead collaborative initiatives in the Euro-African region.
ACOLOP’s presence in Dakar strengthens its international standing and paves the way for new opportunities for cooperation, mobility, training and the development of international projects relating to youth, education and sport for development.
