First UNESCO-UNEVOC Global OER Grant Programme

UNESCO–UNEVOC has launched its Global Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant programme which provides five grants up to 5.000 US-Dollar to institutions that develop, adapt or curate Open Educational Resources (OER) to promote practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

With the Global OER Grant Programme UNESCO-UNEVOC aims to promote OER and motivate the global TVET community to develop OER and related initiatives and practices. A study commissioned by UNESCO-UNEVOC in 2018 on the use of OER in TVET found that the OER concept was still widely unknown among TVET stakeholders. At the same time it was seen as highly promising for improving access to high-quality TVET. The call for proposals is directed to institutions (e.g. TVET schools, training providers, teaching and learning centres, teacher training institutions, libraries, OER working groups, etc.).

What type of projects are covered?

The OER/OEP must concern a subject area linked to Technical and Vocational Education and Training. UNESCO–UNEVOC explicitly welcomes the development of resources not only for formal education streams, but also for informal settings. The grant may be used for, but is not limited to:

  • Creation of new OER for TVET including textbooks, online courses, curricula, animations, multimedia resources etc.
  • Adaptations, localizations and repurposing of existing OER on the basis of existing resources, for example adaptations and translations of existing OER, including textbooks, online courses, curricula, animations, multimedia resources etc.
  • Creation or introduction of platforms for sharing of OER/OEP
  • Turning existing (closed) resources into open resources

OER training can be part of the proposal, but ultimately there needs to be a tangible output with an open license that contributes to open educational practices in TVET. Although this call for proposals is only issued in English, UNESCO–UNEVOC encourages the creation of resources and open practices in other languages.

The Global OER Grant Programme is open for institutions only. Individuals with innovative ideas are welcome to partner with local institutions, as payments can only be made to institutions (including NGOs). Preferably, the implementation is carried out in cooperation or with support of a UNEVOC Centre. A selection committee comprising of Robert Schuwer (Fontys University, Netherlands), Ben Janssen and other international partners will evaluate proposals.

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