The European Union and Central Asian countries are deepening their cooperation in education and skills development to promote sustainable growth, innovation, and shared prosperity. This commitment was reaffirmed at a high-level meeting of the DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Young People in Central Asia) programme, held in Turin on 30–31 October 2025. DARYA, a €10 million EU-funded initiative implemented by the European Training Foundation (ETF), strengthens policy dialogue and collaboration on skills between the EU and Central Asia. The meeting brought together deputy ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, along with EU officials and social partners, to review progress and plan future initiatives.
EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, highlighted that the partnership aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, emphasizing that the initiative aims not only to build infrastructure but also to create people-to-people connections and opportunities. He noted that Global Gateway represents the EU’s long-term commitment to promoting sustainable development, regional connectivity, and mutual prosperity. Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, stressed that strengthening skills is essential for realizing the potential of new economic corridors like the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. ETF Director Pilvi Torsti added that DARYA has already achieved significant results by linking education and labour markets, building trust, and providing evidence-based foundations for future policy action.
National delegations shared how DARYA is supporting education and labour system reforms in their respective countries. Kazakhstan is focusing on developing human capital and connecting skills with sustainable investment. Kyrgyzstan is advancing qualifications frameworks to align education and employment policies and support youth job creation. In Turkmenistan, DARYA has become a platform for inclusive youth development and vocational education reform, while Uzbekistan is prioritizing skills training and inclusive access for young people as part of broader national reforms.
Participants also visited Italian examples of successful skill-building initiatives, such as Apro Formazione and the Ferrero factory in Alba, to study how investment and training can complement each other. Discussions on the EU’s Global Gateway strategy underscored that education and human capital development are central to sustainable investment and regional connectivity. With a €12 billion investment package for Central Asia announced at the EU–Central Asia Summit, the initiative aims to combine infrastructure development with job creation and social progress.
As the DARYA programme reaches its mid-term milestone, the Turin meeting reaffirmed its importance as a cornerstone for EU–Central Asia cooperation on skills. The next phase will focus on strengthening regional skills partnerships and frameworks aligned with the Global Gateway initiative. By linking education, employment, and investment, DARYA is helping to create a new generation of skills partnerships that turn shared ambition into shared opportunities for youth and communities across Central Asia.
