The construction sector is expanding rapidly in Nigeria and Mozambique, driven by urbanisation, infrastructure growth and increasing demand for housing and public works. This growth creates employment opportunities, but it also generates large quantities of construction and demolition waste, much of which is not properly sorted, reused, recycled or valorised. Existing systems often face weak recycling infrastructure, limited enforcement, lack of specific training, low awareness of circular construction practices and insufficient links between TVET providers and industry.

GROW responds to this challenge by strengthening vocational education and training in sustainable construction waste management. The project builds on previous EU-funded green VET initiatives and focuses specifically on construction and demolition waste, combining technical CDW management, circular economy, digital monitoring tools, green entrepreneurship and public-private cooperation. The needs assessment confirms that CDW management is relevant but still insufficiently structured in both countries, and that training should combine practical skills, environmental awareness, health and safety, digital tools and
market-oriented competences.

The project also integrates gender and social inclusion, targeting women, unemployed youth, informal workers and other underrepresented groups, with a minimum 30% female participation target across training and pilot activities.