Call page with all its documents.
Application Grant Guideline.
Minimum amount 300.000, maximum 2.000.000, not more then 80% of the eligible costs, and if 50% if applicant is an international (intergovernmental) organisation.

The thematic programme Investing in People for 2007-2013 pursues a broad approach to development and poverty reduction, with the general aim of improving human and social development levels in partner countries in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals. It is based on Article 12 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI)3, and is detailed in the Strategy Paper for the Thematic Programme 2007-20134.

Under the theme ‘Education, knowledge and skills’, Investing in People focuses, among other policies, on technical and vocational education and training, so as to improve access to education for all children and, increasingly, for women and men of all ages, with a view to increasing knowledge, skills and employability on the job market, contributing to active citizenship and individual fulfilment on a life-long basis.

Earlier programming for TVET under Investing in People was covered by a call for proposals, in 2008, supporting the institutional functioning of demand-driven TVET for both the formal economy and informal economy, in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2009, the call for proposals will aim at addressing the training gaps and needs of people working in the informal economy in low-income countries.

Specific objectives
Actions should cover the following specific objectives:
• Development of flexible training methods, curricula and activities, capable of responding to demand in informal labour markets and to the learning capacity and learning patterns of workers in the informal economy (modular and short courses, for instance);
• Promotion of a participatory approach in the design and implementation of TVET services, involving representatives of workers and employers;
• Promotion of strengthened links between the informal economy and the formal education and TVET system (e.g. recognition of qualifications and skills acquired outside formal institutions);
• Support for scaling up of actions leading to the development of sustainable training systems and mechanisms targeting the needs of workers in the informal economy;
• Exchange of good practice on demand-driven TVET for the informal economy, including needs assessment and information system practices, at local, national or transnational level.
Expected results:
• Flexible training activities capable of responding to demand in informal labour markets and to the learning capacity and learning patterns of actual or potential informal workers developed and implemented on larger scale;
• Involvement of appropriate representatives of workers and employers in the design and implementation of training activities promoted;
• Strengthened links between the informal economy and education and formal TVET institutions (and policy makers) supported (e.g. recognition of qualifications and skills acquired outside formal institutions);
• Relevant experience and good practice in demand-driven TVET addressing the training needs of the informal economy identified and exchanged;
• Information on local informal labour markets (including the most relevant professional skills and possible areas of improvement for self-employment activities and micro-/small enterprises) improved.

The list of priority countries can be found on page 5 of the guidelines.