Under the guiding question of how the skilled crafts sector can shape international cooperation to be future-proof in times of shrinking budgets, representatives from skilled crafts organisations, politics, business, and international projects gathered at the GIZ representative office in Berlin on 18 and 19 June 2026. Jointly organised by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses (ZDH) and the Agency for Business and Economic Development within the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the network meeting “Skilled Crafts International 2026” provided participants with a platform to discuss current developments, labor migration, international project work, as well as the future of development cooperation and international cooperation in vocational education and training.
Strategic Exchange and Political Commitments in Challenging Times
In light of global transformation processes and budgetary consolidation, the central focus was on how effective cooperation can be maintained despite falling budgets. The stakeholders present emphasized that the profound expertise from the German skilled crafts sector remains indispensable for sustainable development cooperation. To fully leverage this potential in the future, participants advocated for the continued appropriate consideration of the skilled crafts sector in the program and budget planning of federal ministries.
An important signal for planning security was set in this context by Benjamin Knödler from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ): He assured that no further funding cuts would be made to the chamber and association partnerships (KVP) as well as the vocational education and training partnerships (BBP), and that the “HandwerksfondsPlus” (Skilled Crafts Fund Plus) would be preserved. In addition, participants gained insights into the new BMZ skilled labor alliance “WeFair” that was presented by Dr. Merle Kreibaum (BMZ).
Benjamin Knödler (BMZ) and Stefan Schneider (BMBFSFJ) during the interview. Picture: ZDH, Camargo Klasen
Ten Years of the SCIVET Co-Ordination Unit and the “Internationaler Meister”
This year’s meeting was marked by a double anniversary, highlighting the professionalization of international work within the skilled crafts:
Ten Years of the SCIVET Co-Ordination Unit: For a decade, the SCIVET Co-Ordination Unit within the ZDH has served as the central point of contact and interface for international cooperation in vocational education and training in the skilled crafts sector.
Ten Years of “Internationaler Meister” Continuing Education: Also for ten years, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) Frankfurt-Rhein-Main has been specifically qualifying craftspeople for assignments abroad. More than 100 graduates have successfully completed this further training since then, carrying German vocational education and training expertise into projects worldwide.
Broad Networking and Technical Impulses
The relevance of direct, partnership-based dialogue was reflected in the wide range of represented institutions. In addition to the ZDH and its SCIVET Co-Ordination Unit, organizations such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), sequa gGmbH, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), GOVET, and the Senior Expert Service (SES) actively contributed to the debates.
Concrete focus areas were developed through specialist presentations, a high-level panel discussion, and practical workshops:
- Securing Skilled Labour and Migration: Discussions on structured labor migration and the sustainable recruitment of foreign skilled workers.
- Vocational Education and Training as a Contribution to Sustainable Development: Technical presentations by the BMZ and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) illustrated how vocational education and training can establish sustainable structures in partner countries.
- Practice-Oriented Workshops: Working groups addressed concrete operational topics such as occupational safety and health in partner countries, the concept of the “MaintenanceUnit”, and the importance of the textile crafts sector in developing countries.
Impressionens from the Network Meeting 2026. All pictures: ZDH, Camargo Klasen
Cooperation at Eye Level as a Key to Success
Both in the panel discussions and during the informal networking breaks, it became clear that partnership-based exchange at eye level forms the foundation of successful international work. The interaction between various actors – from experienced retired experts to active business owners and institutional partners – ensures the quality and broad impact of the projects. The participants drew a positive conclusion: The network meeting demonstrated that the skilled crafts sector possesses the necessary agility and practical competence to successfully help shape global challenges in vocational education and training, even under changing framework conditions.
The participants of the Meeting in 2026. Picture: ZDH, Camargo Klasen
