VET EcoLume project activity in Chile: Learning Library contributing to the future of sustainable VET education
Last week, Learning Library had the privilege of participating in the International VET Provider Pilot Training under the VET EcoLume project, held in the vibrant city of Santiago de Chile from 12-18 January 2026. As an Estonian VET and learning innovation organisation, our involvement in this training marked an important milestone in strengthening our international role in developing sustainable, future-oriented vocational education and training.
Co‑funded by the European Union, VET EcoLume brings together education providers, researchers and practitioners to address one of the most overlooked environmental challenges of our cities, light pollution, and to connect it with sustainable energy use, technical education and green VET innovation.
Building a shared understanding of light pollution
The first part of the training focused on developing a common knowledge base around light pollution and its wide-ranging impact on urban environments, ecosystems and energy systems. Experts and educators explored how excessive artificial lighting affects biodiversity, public health, energy consumption and climate sustainability.
For Learning Library, this phase was especially valuable in linking scientific knowledge with practical learning design. Together with other international partners, we worked on identifying educational approaches that translate complex environmental topics into accessible learning tools for VET providers and adult education institutions. The focus was not only on theory, but on developing transferable methodologies that can be realistically implemented in training centres, vocational schools and non‑formal learning environments.
International partner collaboration
A key moment of the week was the international partner meeting on 14 January, bringing together partners from Chile, Germany, Colombia, Estonia and Croatia. This meeting created space for strategic alignment, reflection and planning of the next project phases.
The consortium reviewed the progress achieved so far and strengthened cooperation structures that are essential for building a curriculum that is both:
- scientifically credible,
- pedagogically accessible,
- and adaptable to different national VET systems.
From Learning Library’s perspective, this international collaboration is one of the strongest values of the project. It enables the co‑creation of learning solutions that are not developed in isolation, but shaped through diverse educational cultures, technical expertise and local realities.
From theory to real‑world application
An important transition during the training was the shift from classroom learning to field observation and site-based learning. Participants began applying documentation tools and observation methodologies directly in the urban environment of Santiago, testing how theoretical concepts function in real city conditions.
Looking ahead
The Santiago training represents the beginning of a longer journey. VET EcoLume is moving forward with the development of training curricula, practical toolkits and educational models that will support VET providers in addressing sustainable lighting, energy responsibility and environmental protection.
For us in Learning Library, this project is not only about light pollution, but it is about shaping future‑ready vocational education that equips learners with the skills, knowledge and values needed for sustainable cities and resilient societies. Through strong international cooperation, practical learning design and shared vision, VET EcoLume is helping redefine how sustainability becomes a core competence in vocational education and training: in Estonia, Europe and beyond.
