About VVOB in Ecuador

VVOB – education for development partners with Ecuador’s Ministry of Education to strengthen secondary technical education since 1988. VVOB strengthens institutional systems, trains teachers, and aligns technical education with the world of work, contributing to Ecuador’s education policies and reforms for over a decade. Today, Ecuador is one of the first countries where VVOB realises its global flagship Skilling for Sustainable Futures, supporting teachers, school leaders and learners in preparing for a greener and more inclusive future. 

Four young people are examining cacao plants outdoors, with one holding a sign.

The Context in Ecuador

Ecuador’s youth face both challenges and opportunities. The country is highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, while many graduates struggle to find decent work. At the same time, Ecuador’s agricultural, tourism, and construction sectors hold enormous potential for sustainable livelihoods. Through VVOB’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education, VVOB strengthens secondary technical education, making it more relevant, equitable, and resilient. From pilots of workplace learning in tourism and construction, VVOB has supported the implementation of restorative practices that create safe and inclusive school communities. Building on this foundation, VVOB’s current work focuses on equipping teachers, school leaders, and learners with the skills, confidence, and support to succeed in a changing world. 

Our Solution

VVOB works with the Ministry of Education, universities and technical institutions to integrate sustainability, entrepreneurship, digital skills and career guidance into teaching and learning. 
We are skilling for sustainable futures, through: 

  • Supporting teachers and school leaders to deliver gender-responsive, climate-smart and future-oriented education. 
  • Connecting technical education with the world of work, especially the agri-food sector, through partnerships and workplace learning. 
  • Strengthening continuous professional development and career guidance so that innovation in teaching reaches classrooms nationwide. 

Evidence of Success

VVOB – education for development places professional development at the heart of its collaboration with Ecuador’s Ministry of Education. Through the Escuela VAMOS platform, by July 2025, VVOB reached 4,888 people enrolled, of whom 749 are teachers or school leaders from agricultural schools. These accessible online courses strengthen practice, promote continuous learning and serve as a model of professional development which empowers educators across Ecuador.  

As part of Escuela VAMOS, VVOB designs and uploads massive open online courses (MOOCs) to the Mecapacito platform, the Ministry of Education’s national Moodle-based learning management system created in 2016 to expand teacher training at scale. Through Mecapacito, more than 1.5 million public school teachers access professional development programmes in different domains. By contributing MOOCs, VVOB is strengthening this system-wide effort, providing open access to school leaders and teachers across the country. Together, our partnership is delivering scalable online training resources that effectively respond to educators’ needs. 

Beyond professional development, VVOB contributes to broader education and youth policies. VVOB supports the inclusion of the Ministry of Education in the Inter-institutional Committee for Youth Employment (AgroJoven), a key step in shaping Ecuador’s first Agricultural Policy for Rural Youth. This policy develops in an intersectoral and integral way, ensuring that education plays a central role in guaranteeing the full integration of rural youth into sustainable agri-food systems. 

Building on these achievements, VVOB and the Ministry of Education establish systems and partnerships with universities and the agri-food sector to expand professional development and career guidance nationwide. To ensure continuity, three dedicated working groups meet regularly to exchange lessons from the field, reflect on progress, and co-create strategies to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of the programmes. 

"I am very excited that my school is being innovative and taking part in the benefits of the VAMOS program, where authorities, teachers, and students will strengthen training in the workplace processes and enhance project-based learning."

Solange Alvarado, Docente de Unidad Educativa Guare

The Opportunity

Ecuador is strengthening its education system, so young people graduate from school better prepared for employment and for life. VVOB supports this effort as Ecuador becomes one of the first countries where the global flagship Skilling for Sustainable Futures is implemented. VVOB empowers teachers and school leaders by developing leadership skills and active teaching practices, while also strengthening career guidance and project-based learning. By partnering with the Ministry of Education and the agri-food sector, VVOB creates the conditions to scale these innovations.

Partners

Guided by our values of quality, integrity, respect, commitment, and innovation, we partner with national institutions to create lasting change. These include: 

  • The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture
  • Universities and teacher training institutions–Universidad del Pacífico, Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Universidad de Cuenca and Universidad de las Américas.
  • Civil society organisations and expertise partners – Grupo Faro, Fundación Esquel, and FIDAL
  • Development cooperation partners–GIZ and FAO
  • The private sector, including agri-food enterprises – SAC Agro 

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