A VET response to seeking help against harassment and digital violence
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A VET response to seeking help against harassment and digital violence

Not every situation of harassment begins with an obvious act of aggression. Sometimes it starts with comments, controlling behaviour, exclusion or attitudes that become normalised far too quickly. Then, they grow. They escalate. And they can develop into digital violence, sextortion or abuse that many people do not know how to report.

This reality gave rise to Pantalla Morada, a project developed by CIPFP Misericordia in Valencia and awarded second prize in the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet. It is a simple, replicable technological solution designed to provide immediate support, information and guidance in situations of harassment or violence.

The project, led by Lucía García, a tutor at the school and team leader, begins with a direct question: “Have you ever experienced any form of harassment?” From there, the team raises a reflection that connects with a reality familiar to many young people: “Perhaps you haven’t, but someone close to you almost certainly has.”

Pantalla Morada was created precisely to respond to the silence that so often surrounds victims. As the team states in its presentation, “violence has neither age nor gender”, although it particularly affects women, who in many cases remain silent “out of fear or because they cannot find an appropriate system for reporting it”.

A simple device for an urgent need

The proposal consists of an interactive screen installed in private and discreet spaces, designed so that anyone can access information and support without exposing themselves or attracting attention. In the solution proposed by the school, the screens would be installed in toilets, personal spaces where victims can interact with the device with greater privacy.

“With this project, we prioritise the victim’s privacy,” the team explains in the presentation video, adding that the screens would be located in “personal spaces that do not attract attention”.

One of Pantalla Morada’s main strengths is its feasibility. The project does not rely on major infrastructure or inaccessible materials, but rather on resources commonly available in educational environments. The team summarises it as follows: “Using only materials we can find in classrooms, we have easily managed to develop and propose a project that is entirely feasible to manufacture in educational institutions.”

The prototype consists of a Raspberry Pi board, an external touchscreen and its power supply. It also considers the possibility of integrating all the components into a single chassis manufactured using 3D printing. On the software side, it includes a multifunction interface designed in accordance with current regulations and capable of being updated in response to possible legislative changes.

“The hardware and software in our project are extremely simple and allow for rapid adaptation to any environment,” the team explains, also highlighting the possibility of continuously updating the tool as legislation changes.

Technology, privacy and inclusion

Pantalla Morada not only aims to provide an immediate response, but also to create a useful long-term resource. The team has developed a prototype to demonstrate that the solution can be implemented by following simple instructions and adapted to different environments, ranging from educational institutions to companies, shopping centres and other places where situations of abuse may occur.

Accessibility is also part of the design. The interface is intended to be easy for anyone to use and features large text to make it more accessible to people with visual impairments. In this way, the project connects violence prevention with inclusion and equal access to information.

The initiative also gives female students at the school a leading role. The team proposes that the assembly and installation of the screens be carried out by them, as well as the training sessions explaining how the system works across the school’s different vocational fields. This decision reinforces the project’s value within an awards programme that seeks to promote greater female participation in technical and technological fields.

In the team’s own words, Pantalla Morada aims to take “a small but important step in this fight”. The phrase captures the essence of the project: it is not presented as a single solution to a complex problem, but as a practical, feasible and accessible tool that can make it easier for people to ask for help.

The project focuses particularly on SDG 5, related to gender equality, while also contributing to other goals such as reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, responsible consumption, and peace, justice and strong institutions.

GIRO: mechanics developed through VET to support recovery after a mastectomy
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GIRO: mechanics developed through VET to support recovery after a mastectomy

Some projects begin with a technical question. Others begin with a human need. In the case of GIRO, the project developed by Centro Sagrado Corazón – Jesuitas Logroño and awarded first prize in the 5th edition of the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards, both come together from the very beginning: can Vocational Education and Training help improve the recovery of women who have undergone a mastectomy?

The team’s answer came from the Higher VET programme in Industrial Mechatronics, where students Verónica Martínez, Lilu González, Laura Castro and Itsaso Marauri, supported by their tutor Javier González, developed a technical solution with a very specific purpose: to design an adaptable arm exoskeleton, manufactured using 3D printing, to support the progressive rehabilitation of women who have overcome breast cancer.

The project addresses a complex reality. Following a mastectomy, many women may experience a loss of mobility, strength and independence in the arm. The team itself summarises the issue directly in the project presentation video: “After a mastectomy, many women lose mobility, strength and independence.” From this concern, the group posed the question that would shape the entire project: “What if we could help them through Vocational Education and Training?”

A technical solution designed with empathy

Before beginning the design process, the team wanted to gain a first-hand understanding of the problem. To do so, they met with rehabilitation specialists from the Spanish Association Against Cancer, a key step in understanding the physical consequences of this type of surgery and better shaping their proposal.

During their research, the students identified that, following such a delicate procedure, arm mobility can be affected by factors such as surgical sutures or pain. They also found that without appropriate rehabilitation, patients may develop lasting complications, including chronic pain, limitations in shoulder abduction and flexion, or conditions such as winged scapula.

Based on this information, the team designed an arm exoskeleton adaptable to each user, intended to support different stages of the recovery process. The system would operate using servomotors limited to the appropriate range of movement depending on each patient’s stage of rehabilitation, with the main purpose of supporting gradual recovery and helping restore mobility.

The proposal also includes a possible extension for cases of lymphoedema through the incorporation of a lymphatic drainage system based on the Boder method, designed to stimulate the lymphatic system, reduce oedema, eliminate toxins and help decrease inflammation.

GIRO therefore combines knowledge of mechatronics, design, 3D printing and motion control, but its value goes beyond its technical dimension. The project demonstrates how VET can apply its skills to a real need, connecting technology, health and patient support.

Technology with a purpose

The first prize in the VET Knowledge Transfer Awards recognises precisely this ability to transform learning into a solution with real impact. In this 5th edition, promoted by FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet, the awards focused on technological projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality.

GIRO is aligned with SDGs 3, 5, 8, 9 and 10, addressing issues related to health and well-being, equality, innovation, decent work and reduced inequalities. Beyond the list of goals, however, the project stands out for a simple yet powerful idea: using technology so that more women feel supported during a difficult recovery process.

“Because we want more women to feel strong and supported,” the team explains in its presentation. This sentence captures the human focus of a proposal that was created not only to solve a technical challenge, but also to help improve patients’ quality of life.

The experience has also prompted an important reflection among the students themselves: “Thanks to GIRO, we have discovered that technology with a purpose has much greater power.” This idea captures much of the project’s value: learning mechanics, programming or design not as an end in itself, but as a way of creating useful solutions for society.

With GIRO, Centro Sagrado Corazón – Jesuitas Logroño demonstrates how Vocational Education and Training can research, design and prototype solutions capable of moving beyond the classroom and addressing real-world problems. A project that turns mechanics into a tool for healing and reminds us, as the team itself states, that “VET can also transform lives.”

The 10th Dualiza Call for Proposals breaks records: one in ten VET centres in Spain submits projects
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The 10th Dualiza Call for Proposals breaks records: one in ten VET centres in Spain submits projects

  • 560 Vocational Education and Training centres have taken part in this edition, leading 357 innovative initiatives in collaboration with 729 entities
  • Andalusia, the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands are among the regions with the highest number of projects submitted
  • The call consolidates its role as a driver of innovation, collaboration and transfer in VET

The Dualiza Call for Proposals, promoted by CaixaBank Dualiza and FPEmpresa in collaboration with Fundación Deloitte, has once again reached a milestone in its trajectory after recording record participation figures in its tenth edition. A total of 560 Vocational Education and Training centres, out of the 4,099 across Spain, have submitted projects, 91% more than in the previous edition. This means that one in ten centres in the country has submitted initiatives to take part in this call, aimed at promoting educational innovation and collaboration with the productive sector.

In total, 357 projects led by VET centres have been submitted, with the involvement of 729 collaborating entities — including companies, public administrations, universities and technology centres — reinforcing the collaborative nature of the call as a key element in bringing training closer to the real needs of the labour market.

Strong presence of collaborative and networked projects

Of the projects submitted, 261 correspond to local initiatives, while 96 have been developed in networks between centres from different autonomous communities, a modality that continues to gain importance by fostering interterritorial cooperation and knowledge exchange.

By type of centre, participation is once again led mainly by public centres (286), followed by state-funded private centres (56) and private centres (15), reflecting the reach of the call within the Vocational Education and Training system.

Presence across the whole country

The call has recorded participation in almost the entire national territory. The autonomous communities with the highest number of projects submitted were the Valencian Community (41), the Canary Islands (39) and Catalonia (39), followed by Andalusia (35), Castilla-La Mancha (30), the Community of Madrid (29) and the Basque Country (28).

This territorial reach highlights the consolidation of the Dualiza Call for Proposals as a key tool for promoting educational innovation projects adapted to the needs of each environment.

What is the Dualiza Call for Proposals?

The Dualiza Call for Proposals is an initiative promoted by CaixaBank Dualiza and the Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa, in collaboration with Fundación Deloitte, to fund and promote innovative Vocational Education and Training projects developed in collaboration between educational centres and companies or other entities.

Its aim is to promote real collaboration between VET centres and the business sector, encouraging work-based learning, educational innovation and knowledge transfer.

Next steps

Following the closure of the application period, the projects will be assessed by a specialised committee, which will analyse aspects such as the quality of the work plan, the level of collaboration, innovation and the expected impact of each initiative.

The SiT International Bootcamp brings together the European textile ecosystem in Greece to promote sustainable solutions
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The SiT International Bootcamp brings together the European textile ecosystem in Greece to promote sustainable solutions

The European SiT – Sustainability in TCLF project held its international bootcamp on 26 and 27 May in Thessaloniki, Greece. This activity marked the closing stage of the pilot programme developed in Spain within the work package led by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona. The event brought together around 80 participants from the different countries involved in the project partnership, including companies, clusters, associations, Vocational Education and Training teachers, students, entrepreneurs and sector representatives.

The activity took place at WEHub in Thessaloniki, with organisational support from OECON Group, and revolved around three main themes: sustainability, digitalisation and entrepreneurship applied to the TCLF ecosystem, which includes the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sectors. The bootcamp combined collaborative work, idea development, proposal presentations and professional networking spaces among participants.

The first day began with a hybrid session broadcast via streaming, during which the work agenda, the SiT project and the composition of the international teams were presented. The hackathon then began, with five teams working on previously defined case studies through different stages: challenge definition, ideation, solution design, business model development and preparation of the final pitch.

Real challenges to transform the textile sector

During the hackathon, the teams addressed challenges linked to textile circularity and the reduction of environmental impact in different areas of the sector. One of the cases involved designing a circular system for sports kits, with the aim of reducing textile waste while maintaining brand identity, performance and commercial viability.

Another challenge focused on the sustainable management of hotel textiles, proposing solutions to reduce environmental footprint, comply with European regulations on textile waste and move towards models based on reuse, traceability, recycling and material recovery.

After the team work, participants presented their proposals to a jury in a hybrid session. Each team had a limited amount of time to defend its idea, explain the value of the proposed solution and receive the corresponding assessment, in a dynamic aimed at strengthening both entrepreneurial skills and the communication of sustainable projects.

The bootcamp continued on 27 May with a Patchwork Workshop, a practical activity in which participants worked with reused textiles and other available materials, using sewing machines and with the support of expert technicians. In parallel, a professional speed-dating session was held, linked to the fields of textiles, clothing, leather and footwear, with the aim of facilitating mutual knowledge and the creation of new connections among participants.

A winning proposal to respond to the sector’s challenges

The event also included the selection of the winning project, a proposal from Centro Integrado Donibane focused on the circular management of hotel textiles. The team presented a solution aimed at reducing the environmental impact generated by bed linen and other textile waste from the sector, combining the classification and monitoring of garments through artificial intelligence, the reuse and recycling of materials, and the development of a new sustainable fibre with a lower environmental impact.

According to Emilia María García Vera, representative of the winning team, “the project has allowed us to work on a real problem. We are not talking about distant ideas, but about solutions that are already necessary, because European regulations are moving towards models in which everything must be more recyclable and sustainable. For students, it is very important to discover new fibres and new textures, and to understand from the outset where the textile sector is heading.”

With this activity, the SiT project closes the Spanish pilot by strengthening the connection between Vocational Education and Training, companies and real challenges in the TCLF sector. The bootcamp made it possible to transfer the learning developed during the previous phases to an international collaborative working environment, consolidating an experience aimed at promoting more innovative and sustainable VET, closely connected to the green and digital transition.

SiT concludes Phase 3 in Spain with a training experience in the Italian fashion ecosystem
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SiT concludes Phase 3 in Spain with a training experience in the Italian fashion ecosystem

The European SiT project (Sustainability in TCLF) has completed Phase 3 in Spain, focused on Work-Based Learning, through the organisation of an international agenda in Italy aimed at Vocational Education and Training students and teachers from the professional field of Textiles, Clothing and Leather. This stage was once again coordinated by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona (CCIB), with the support and organisation of the Politecnico Calzaturiero in Vigonza, a leading institution in specialised technical training for the textile, footwear and leather goods sectors.

Following the completion of Phase 2 of the pilot programme in Spain, which focused on specialised training and the development of sustainable business plans, this third phase has made it possible to take a further step in connecting education and industry. The student mobility took place from 3 to 16 May 2026 and included a two-week face-to-face training programme in Italy.

During the first week, students worked on content related to knitwear, such as trends, materials, weaving techniques, machinery, printing, finishing and knitwear pattern-making. The second week focused on footwear and leather goods, covering aspects such as footwear construction, materials, prototyping, hand stitching, the manufacture of leather goods products and applied digitalisation.

In parallel, 12 teachers took part in a job shadowing stay from 3 to 9 May, aimed at gaining first-hand insight into the Italian Vocational Education and Training model and the relationship between training centres, companies and the industrial district. The programme included observation activities in knitwear, footwear and leather goods workshops, as well as content related to sustainability, transversal skills, 2D and 3D digital design tools — used to create and develop patterns, prototypes and products before manufacturing — and artificial intelligence applied to creativity.

An immersion in the Italian value chain

The experience combined training sessions, company visits and cultural activities linked to the productive identity of the region. During the first week, 15 students and 12 teachers took part in activities at the Politecnico Calzaturiero, visits to the Villa Foscarini Museum, Tessitura Bevilacqua and Mocenigo Palace, as well as to companies such as Henderson and OTS. The programme also included an event at Villa Pisani focused on the Riviera del Brenta and its relationship with design, beauty, culture and identity.

The second week, aimed at students, explored technical and sustainability-related content in greater depth through sessions on eco-design, sustainability, knitwear processes, footwear design and garment making. In addition, Villa Foscarini Rossi hosted a meeting on corporate sustainability, focused on eco-design, quality and durability as values within the Italian supply chain (ESG).

Thanks to this third phase of the project, students have been able to gain insight into real production processes, learn about different specialisations within the sector and understand how sustainability, digitalisation and innovation are transforming the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries. For teachers, the mobility represented an opportunity to observe applied training methodologies and explore possible transfers to the Spanish educational context.

Although Phase 3 has now concluded in Spain, the SiT project remains active in other participating countries. In the Spanish case, this stage strengthens the pathway initiated through online training and the projects developed in previous phases, consolidating an approach that connects learning, business and the green and digital transition.

Finally, the Spanish pilot of Work Package 4 of the SiT project will culminate with the international bootcamp in Greece, linked to Phase 2 and held during the week of 25 May. This final activity will bring together the people selected within the pathway developed in Spain and will serve as the closing stage of the process promoted by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona.

More than 1,100 professionals turn Santander into the major national meeting point for Vocational Education and Training
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More than 1,100 professionals turn Santander into the major national meeting point for Vocational Education and Training

  • The congress also hosted the presentation of recognitions to the educational centres participating in the 9th Dualiza Grants Call, an initiative promoted by CaixaBank Dualiza in collaboration with FPEmpresa, aimed at fostering innovation in Vocational Education and Training.

More than 1,100 VET teachers and professionals attended the 12th National VET Congress of the Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa and CaixaBank Dualiza Foundation this Thursday and Friday in Santander. Under the slogan “Building bridges: VET, a space of opportunities”, participants analysed the main trends, challenges and good practices currently facing Vocational Education and Training.

The opening ceremony was led by the president of FPEmpresa, Luis García; the director of CaixaBank Dualiza, Paula San Luis; the secretary general for VET, Esther Monterrubio; and the president of Cantabria, María José Sáenz de Buruaga.

During his speech, Luis García highlighted that “Vocational Education and Training is today a connected system that brings together centres, companies and territories to respond to the challenges of the future”. For her part, Paula San Luis stressed that “VET centres are drivers of territorial growth and spaces where real opportunities are generated for people and companies”. At institutional level, Esther Monterrubio pointed out that “Vocational Education and Training has become consolidated as a strategic national policy, key to improving employability and transforming the production model”. Finally, María José Sáenz de Buruaga underlined the role of VET as “a fundamental tool for economic development and job creation in the region”.

The first two keynote sessions were delivered by the minister for Education, Vocational Education and Training and Universities of the Government of Cantabria, Sergio Silva, in conversation with his director general for VET, Cristina Montes, and by the secretary general for VET of the Ministry of Education, Esther Monterrubio.

In their intervention, Sergio Silva and Cristina Montes addressed the evolution and consolidation of the Vocational Education and Training system in Cantabria, focusing on its growth in recent years and on the challenges posed by its future development. Both emphasised the need to continue strengthening collaboration between public administrations, educational centres and companies, as well as to make progress in the strategic planning of the system in order to adapt it to the needs of the productive sector. They also highlighted the importance of dual VET and of adequate funding to guarantee its quality and long-term sustainability.

For her part, Monterrubio argued that Vocational Education and Training has become consolidated as a strategic national policy, key not only to employability but also to the transformation of the production model. She underlined the progress made by the system in recent years and the need to continue promoting its quality, strengthening dual VET and adapting the training offer to changes in the labour market, especially in the face of challenges such as generational renewal and the continuous updating of skills.

In addition, social inclusion and emotional well-being were central themes during part of the first day, with interventions focusing on the role of VET as a tool to guarantee equal opportunities and support people beyond employability. In this regard, Daniel Rodríguez de Blas, from FOESSA Foundation, stressed that “Vocational Education and Training is one of the most effective levers for reducing social exclusion, provided that it guarantees real access for those who need it most”. Meanwhile, psychologist José Antonio Luengo highlighted that “there can be no learning without emotional well-being”, calling for stronger support for students as an essential part of the education system.

Attendees were also able to learn about different good practices developed in leading educational centres. In this context, Ixaka Egurbide, from IMH Campus, shared his centre’s experience in developing initiatives aimed at strengthening the connection between Vocational Education and Training and the productive environment, presenting projects that seek to adapt training to the real needs of companies and move towards more flexible and innovative models. For her part, Sonia Gil, from CIFP Pirámide in Huesca, presented various educational initiatives focused on methodological innovation and coordinated work among teaching staff, showing how collaboration between teaching teams and the updating of training practices help to improve students’ preparation for the challenges of today’s labour market.

The second day made it possible to further explore the impact of innovation on the education system, especially the growing role of artificial intelligence and the importance of soft skills in today’s labour market. In this regard, Carlos González Morcillo, university professor and academic director at UCLM, analysed the evolution of Artificial Intelligence and its direct application in education and Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Mónica Lázaro, head of talent acquisition and internal mobility at Indra Group, addressed the evolution of soft skills into so-called power skills, stressing that they are now the competencies that make the difference in professional development and employability.

The congress also hosted the presentation of recognitions to the educational centres participating in the 9th Dualiza Grants Call, an initiative promoted by CaixaBank Dualiza in collaboration with FPEmpresa, aimed at fostering innovation in Vocational Education and Training by supporting projects developed by educational centres in connection with companies and other local stakeholders. Through this call, proposals are promoted that improve the quality of training, strengthen students’ employability and help adapt VET to the current challenges of the labour market, encouraging collaborative work and the transfer of good practices between centres.

FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project
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FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa has completed in Spain Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT (Sustainability in TCLF) pilot programme, a new stage aimed at transferring the knowledge acquired during the initial online learning phase into real-life contexts.

This second phase has combined specialised training, active methodologies and project development linked to sustainability in the textile sector, consolidating the progress of the programme in Spain.

The SiT project is part of the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme and brings together partners from different European countries with the aim of promoting new green, digital, functional and transversal skills in the TCLF sectors (textiles, clothing, leather and footwear). In Spain, FPEmpresa leads Work Package 4, focused on the design and development of the training pilot.

Following an initial phase centred on online learning through a specialised MOOC, Phase 2 was developed under the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, encouraging the practical application of knowledge through activities connected to the current challenges of the sector. The programme included three training seminars, one online and two face-to-face sessions held in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a specific stage devoted to the development of sustainable business plans.

Three seminars connecting training and sustainability

The first session took place on 17 February in an online format under the title Circular Economy in the Textile Sector. It brought together 46 participants, including teachers, students and representatives of associated centres. The lecture, delivered by Paloma G. López, explored the evolution of the circular economy applied to the textile sector, eco-design in fashion and European sustainability regulations, while also presenting real examples of business innovation.

The second event was held on 13 March at IES Leonardo Da Vinci in Madrid and was attended by 103 people. The session, Textile Waste Management with Social and Environmental Impact, was led by Ana Gómez, who analysed the main challenges and opportunities in textile waste management, highlighting the role of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and the importance of the social and solidarity economy as a generator of employment and inclusion.

The phase concluded on 14 April at Institut Anna Gironella de Mundet in Barcelona, also in a hybrid format, with the seminar The Textile Industry and the EU Green Transition: Regulation, Innovation and New Business Models. The event gathered 50 in-person attendees and 25 online participants, and provided an opportunity to explore issues such as the circular economy, eco-design, the new European regulatory framework and the opportunities arising from the sustainable transition.

Overall, the three seminars delivered during Phase 2 attracted a total of 224 participants, reflecting the strong interest generated by this specialised training initiative focused on sustainability in the TCLF sector.

In addition to the specialised training, Phase 2 also included an entrepreneurial dimension through the development of business plans linked to the TCLF sector. A total of seven proposals were submitted, allowing students and participants to work on skills such as creativity, market analysis, innovation, sustainability, problem-solving and business vision, applying the project content to ideas with real growth potential.

With the completion of this stage, the project now moves forward towards new international experiences. Selected participants will take part in a bootcamp in Greece, while the programme will later continue with a Phase 3 focused on Work-Based Learning (WBL), including mobility activities in Italy aimed at company placements and professional shadowing opportunities for teachers.

FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet Recognise Innovation with the Winners of the 5th Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards
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FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet Recognise Innovation with the Winners of the 5th Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards

  • The call gathered 64 projects from 44 educational centres across Spain, confirming the continued growth of this initiative.
  • The winners, from centres in La Rioja, Valencia, Murcia and Barcelona, addressed challenges such as post-mastectomy recovery, rising cyberbullying, home accessibility for women with disabilities, and more sustainable alternatives to menstrual hygiene products.
  • In this edition, submitted videos reached more than 84,000 views and exceeded 22,000 likes, reflecting strong public impact and engagement.

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa and Esprinte Group have announced the winners of the fifth edition of the Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards, an initiative that highlights student talent and their ability to develop innovative solutions to real societal challenges.

This year’s edition featured a total of 64 projects from 44 educational centres across Spain, demonstrating the growing interest in initiatives that connect education with the productive sector. In addition, the fifth edition generated significant visibility, with more than 84,000 views and 22,000 likes on the project videos submitted by participating centres.

The Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards aim to foster both technical and transversal skills among students, while promoting gender equality in vocational fields where female participation remains limited. In this regard, all submitted projects addressed the challenge of designing technological solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with particular attention to SDG 5, focused on gender equality.

Projects Connecting VET with Societal Challenges

The jury assessed participants’ critical thinking in problem-solving, the development of technical skills across different vocational fields, and the promotion of innovation, proactivity, and teamwork as key pillars for continuous improvement.

The awards are endowed with €5,000 for first prize, €3,300 for second prize, and two third prizes of €1,850 each, shared between the educational centre, teachers, and participating students.

The winning teams of this fifth edition were:

1st Prize: Centro Sagrado Corazón Jesuitas Logroño.

2nd Prize: CIPFP Misericordia.

3rd Prize: IES Gerardo Molina.

3rd Prize: Institut Escola del Treball.

Centro Sagrado Corazón Jesuitas Logroño received first prize with a project focused on improving the recovery of mobility and strength in the arm of women who have undergone a mastectomy after breast cancer. Their solution proposes the design and prototyping of a low-cost functional exoskeleton, produced through 3D printing, aimed at facilitating rehabilitation and improving patients’ quality of life.

From CIPFP Misericordia, winners of second prize, the focus was placed on an increasingly common issue: the rise of cyberbullying, sextortion, and other forms of digital violence. To address this, the centre proposed an interactive device located in private spaces that offers immediate and confidential support, information, and guidance to those in need.

IES Gerardo Molina and Institut Escola del Treball were awarded the two third prizes. The first project focuses on improving the accessibility of household electrical panels for women with visual impairments or reduced mobility through a system with tactile Braille labelling and mobile alerts in case of incidents. Meanwhile, the project from Institut Escola del Treball addresses the drawbacks of traditional menstrual hygiene products with the design of a reusable menstrual cup incorporating a sensory ring capable of indicating pH changes through colour variations.

FPEmpresa holds its 2026 Annual General Assembly
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FPEmpresa holds its 2026 Annual General Assembly

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa, held its 2026 Annual General Assembly on 10 March 2026. During the meeting, member centres reviewed the work carried out over the past year and learned about the main lines of action planned for the coming period.

The session was held in a hybrid format, allowing participation both online through the Microsoft Teams platform and in person at IES Felipe Trigo in Móstoles (Madrid), with the aim of facilitating attendance for all member centres.

During the Assembly, several key points related to the Association’s activity were addressed, including the approval of the minutes from the 2025 Assembly, as well as an update on the number of member centres that are part of the FPEmpresa network.

One of the central moments of the meeting was the presentation of the 2025 Management Report, which outlined the main initiatives, projects, and activities promoted by the Association over the past year.

In addition, progress on the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan was reviewed, analysing the level of achievement of the established objectives and the lines of work that will continue to be developed in the coming years to strengthen the role of Vocational Education and Training and collaboration between educational centres and companies.

Financial management and planning for the new financial year

From a financial perspective, members reviewed the accounts corresponding to the 2025 financial year, as well as the budget forecast for 2026, which sets the Association’s priorities for the upcoming year. The 2026 Management Plan was also presented, outlining the main actions and projects that FPEmpresa will implement to continue strengthening the network of VET centres and its connection with the business sector.

The Assembly also included the approval of the Association’s Annual Document, as well as a final session for questions and remarks, where members were able to share proposals, reflections, and suggestions for the future of the organisation.

Eco-Digithon Spain concludes its second edition with a day strongly focused on innovation and sustainability
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Eco-Digithon Spain concludes its second edition with a day strongly focused on innovation and sustainability

On 17 and 18 March, the second edition of Eco-Digithon Spain took place, organised by FPEmpresa and Innogestiona Ambiental as part of the European project ENNE+ (Erasmus+). The event brought together VET students and educational centres in Madrid to share innovative proposals related to sustainability, digitalisation, and entrepreneurship.

The in-person session was held on 17 March at San Blas Digital – School of Digital Skills, following an initial phase carried out within the participating centres, where teams collaboratively prepared the materials and presentations for their projects.

During today’s session, 18 March, and after the jury’s deliberation, the winning projects of the second edition of Eco-Digithon were announced in a brief online session. The first prize was awarded to IES Francisco de Quevedo for its project PlastiScore Verified – Intelligent Plastic Packaging Counting Index, which received €1,000 in equipment for the centre, a €250 gift card for the coordinating teachers, and the opportunity to participate in the 9th edition of the Social Hackathon Umbria. The initiative focuses on the development of a scanning application capable of identifying and counting plastic packaging through an intelligent tracking index. The proposal aims to facilitate monitoring and measurement of this type of waste, providing a useful tool to improve its management and move towards more sustainable and responsible models in plastic use.

The remaining awards were as follows:

  • Second prize went to Salesianos Atocha for Arganzuela Conectada, which received €750 in equipment for the centre. This project aims to improve life in the neighbourhood through real data collected using technology. It stems from listening to local residents and identifying specific issues such as the loss of green spaces, construction noise, traffic pollution, and overtourism. To address these challenges, it proposes a network of IoT sensors to measure these conditions, anticipate problems, and support better decision-making by both citizens and institutions.
  • Third prize was awarded to IES San Blas for the project BeiOtA de San Blas, a smart garden powered by solar energy. The initiative seeks to apply real renewable technology and bring science and sustainability closer to primary school students through a STEM-based model. It received €500 in equipment for the centre.
  • Fourth prize went to Instituto Nebrija de FP for its project Green Campus, which received €300 in equipment for the centre. This initiative focuses on bringing together students from different training programmes to solve a real challenge: transforming a traditional educational centre into a Smart Campus.

The evaluation committee was composed of Patricia Mora (Director of Innogestiona Ambiental), Elena Argudo (Director of the Association of VET Centres FPEmpresa), Carlos de Olagüe (Madrid Regional Coordinator at FPEmpresa and Vice President of EfVET), Nuria Villareal (Head of Entrepreneurship at the Directorate-General for VET Centres and Special Regime of the Community of Madrid), Carmen Valdés-Hevia (Manager of Education and Knowledge at Fundación Repsol), and Gloria Iglesias (Manager of Education and Knowledge at Fundación Repsol).

Selecting the winning projects was not an easy task for the jury, as all proposals stood out for their innovation, quality, and strong conceptual development. The high level of the projects made the deliberation particularly complex, given the well-developed ideas and the relevance of their approaches.

Note: To consult the rest of the projects, please click here.

A space to learn, collaborate, and connect ideas

The in-person event on 17 March began with an institutional welcome and a presentation of the ENNE+ project, followed by two keynote sessions focused on entrepreneurship and sustainability in Vocational Education and Training. Specifically, Mónica Castilla Baylos, Head of Entrepreneurs and SMEs at the Directorate-General for Entrepreneurship – Madrid Emprende (Madrid City Council), delivered the talk How to Start a Business in Madrid? Meanwhile, Carmen Valdés-Hevia Temprano, Education Manager at Fundación Repsol, presented Learning to Decide, Learning to Transform: Sustainability in VET.

After a coffee break, the spotlight shifted to the participating teams, who presented their projects in a session that lasted throughout the morning. The event then continued with a dedicated space to identify synergies between proposals, where teams were able to explore each initiative in more depth, gather feedback from other participants, and open new opportunities for collaboration between centres and innovative ideas.

The session concluded with an evaluation moment, a “call for synergies” between projects, and the institutional closing of the event, accompanied by acknowledgements and a final group photo.