Since 21 September 2023, the L3S Research Centre has been a partner in the ConnActions project.

ConnActions is a four-year project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the bilateral cooperation between Germany and Italy in the field of dual vocational education and training. The project is coordinated by the German-Italian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Italy). ConnActions pursues the exciting goal of establishing five German-Italian networks, each with its own thematic focus. These networks are not just think tanks; they design joint work programmes and activities in the field of dual vocational training. In each model network, different groups of Italian and German actors from the public and private sectors will work together.

One of these networks is the “GENUSS Network”, of which the L3S Research Centre is a member. The “GENUSS Network” was selected by the Support and Monitoring Committee in the professional field “Eno-Gastronomy and Tourism”. In addition to the L3S, the consortium includes six other German partners such as the IFBE (Institute for Vocational Education and Adult Education) of the Leibniz University of Hanover, the BBS2 Wolfsburg, the IGS List in Hanover, SlowFood Hanover, the Gartensaal restaurant of the city of Hanover and the DIK (German-Italian Cultural Society Hanover) as well as 18 Italian partners, including the Santachiara and Gallini Institutes in Voghera and the APOLF Institute in Pavia.

The aim of the cooperation is to compare and exchange good practices between the German model of dual vocational training and sustainable student companies and training activities in Italy, especially in the fields of food, tourism and sustainable development. ConnActions thus brings together expertise, needs and challenges from both countries in order to initiate and grow together a long-term cooperation between the groups involved.

The activities will officially start with the launch event on 28-29 November 2023 and will last for three years until July 2026.