VOCO wins Best Digital Award for innovative virtual learning solutions

On October 25, the Estonian Academy of Sciences honored the most outstanding Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects. These best initiatives have significantly advanced education and youth development, emphasizing the value of international collaboration.

Tartu Vocational College (VOCO) received special recognition—the Best Digital Award—for its pioneering approach to international cooperation. During the pandemic, VOCO launched a virtual mobility program in vocational education, enabling students from Europe to acquire new skills through video-based learning. Whether baking a Danish carrot cake or mastering a Spanish-style haircut, students engaged in rich, hands-on experiences. This initiative has since evolved into a hybrid learning model, providing an international collaborative experience even post-pandemic and engaging numerous students from VOCO and other institutions.

Andrei Atškasov, Head of the Project Team at VOCO, accepted the gold digital award for the college’s innovative solutions and inspiring flexibility.

Golden Apples were awarded to the best cooperation projects and promoters of Erasmus+ priorities, while Golden Pears celebrated the top youth projects. The winners of the European Innovative Teaching Award were also recognized, and four long-standing partners received special thanks for their invaluable contributions.

Photo by Karoliine Aus