Inter-Continental Collaboration in Sign Language Interpreter VET Education

Project name: Inter-Continental Collaboration in Sign Language Interpreter VET Education

Project acronym: SignUnity

Funding scheme: Erasmus+ Capacity building in the field of Vocational education and training

Partner countries: Croatia – Germany – Estonia – Ghana – Ethiopia – Kenya

Project duration: January 2026 – December 2027

Project budget: 377.448 €

Learning Library is part of the consortium implementing the project.

The project “SignUnity: A Continental Collaboration in Sign Language Interpreter VET Education” aims to develop a standardized curriculum for sign language interpreters, aligned with VET (Vocational Education and Training) standards. The curriculum will enhance linguistic skills in sign language, interpreting techniques, and ethical standards specific to the profession. The project addresses the shortage of qualified interpreters and limited access to quality education in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. By creating this curriculum, the project seeks to improve interpreter employability, enhance accessibility to training, and promote the social inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Key deliverables include a specialized curriculum and a manual on ethical guidelines, both developed as interactive digital tools for use across Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Collaboration between higher education institutions, vocational training providers, and deaf organizations will ensure the curriculum meets labor market needs and equips interpreters with the necessary knowledge and skills. The project’s ultimate goal is to create a new generation of skilled interpreters, improving their professional capabilities and contributing to the inclusion of deaf individuals in society.

Based on the needs analysis, the project SignUnity is designed to address these challenges directly. It includes a detailed assessment of the specific skills required for the profession of sign language interpreters, laying the foundation for meaningful and lasting improvements.

Objectives include:

1. Promoting learning mobility and collaboration: The project develops and implements a VET program for training current and future sign language interpreters, enhancing their skills to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals while fostering inclusivity and cross-border collaboration
2. Encouraging non-formal learning and innovation: By integrating modern digital technologies such as virtual reality and interactive platforms, the project offers flexible, non-formal learning opportunities and realistic interpreting practice.
3. Facilitating staff mobility for capacity building: The project promotes staff exchanges among participating organizations, supporting the sharing of best practices and enhancing professional skills in sign language interpreting.
4. Providing access to modern digital learning tools: Participants benefit from state-of-the-art digital platforms, enabling flexible, high-quality training and equal access to educational resources across borders. Digital technologies improve the availability of educational materials, enabling participants from various countries to engage equally in learning activities, regardless of geographical or resource-related challenges.