Swakopmund: A NAKOPA-funded partnership between the Swakopmund Municipality and Germany's City of Gie‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¸en has reached a major milestone with the launch of a 'meeting island' prototype at Hanganeni Park and the advancement of accredited solar energy training for local youth. The meeting island is designed as a shared public space that promotes community interaction, learning, and inclusive use.
According to Namibia Press Agency, project manager Janina Brendel, speaking at the launch on Thursday, stated that the initiative aims to strengthen inclusive and vibrant public spaces while creating meaningful, practice-oriented learning opportunities for young people. The two-year cooperation, running until May 2026, focuses on vocational education, renewable energy skills, particularly solar energy, and intercultural cooperation on equal footing. Brendel noted that the project contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
She highlighted that the first milestone was achieved in 2024 when trainees and officials from Swakopmund visited Gie‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¸en, where the first meeting island prototype was built at a production school as a learning and testing model. 'Through continuous exchanges and joint planning, we have reached the point where a meeting island is now installed here in Swakopmund,' Brendel said.
Currently, nine trainees are enrolled in solar equipment installation and maintenance training, having attained Level 1 certification and progressing to Level 2 under assessment by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA). COSDEC Swakopmund Centre Manager Denis Chipandeka emphasised the need for sustained funding to ensure the long-term success of the solar equipment installation and maintenance course introduced through the partnership. Chipandeka warned that skills development centres face severe financial limitations, which could hinder progression to higher qualification levels.
He explained that advancing trainees to Level 3 requires investment in compliant workshops, safety infrastructure, tools, and equipment, noting that current facilities do not yet fully meet occupational health and safety standards. 'Sustained investment is essential to ensure this programme becomes a lasting success rather than an unfinished vision,' he said.
Swakopmund Mayor Suamma Kautondokwa stated that the project demonstrated how trusted partnerships can yield tangible results. On behalf of the trainees, Victoria Ndaameekele expressed that the project has transformed theoretical learning into real-world application, broadening perspectives and opening opportunities in the green economy.
NAKOPA (Partnership Projects for Sustainable Local Development) is a German funding programme that facilitates cooperation between municipalities in Germany and the Global South to implement local sustainability projects.