LEBANON — The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) announced the selection of five Lebanese universities to participate in the EUSEEDS project, funded 89% by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED program.

EUSEEDS, Enable, Upgrade and Spread Employability, Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills, aims to boost youth employability, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. It will create or revive university centers to support students, recent graduates, and marginalized groups.

The selected universities in Lebanon include Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Zahle, University of Venice in Zahrani, Cnam Higher Institute of Applied and Social Sciences in Tripoli and Baalbek, Beirut Arab University in Beirut, and Notre Dame University in Barja and Deir el Qamar.

A total of 24 universities across five countries applied. AUF said the selection process considered the impact of the project, the universities’ capacity, and commitment to sustainability.

The EUSEEDS centers will provide training and guidance to improve students’ professional skills, enhance digital competencies, and encourage entrepreneurship.

The initiative also aims to integrate marginalized groups into higher education and the workforce.

AUF and its partners said the project reflects a commitment to inclusive and innovative higher education in Lebanon. They have already begun supporting the universities, building the capacities of the centers, and developing their activities.

By focusing on employability and digital skills, AUF hopes to strengthen the link between education and the labor market, helping students and graduates to succeed in a challenging economic environment.