18 November 2026 - 21 November 2026
Paris, France
EVBB Annual Conference: Europe’s VET Strategy in Action
Registration open until 16 Nov 2026
About
The EVBB Annual Conference 2026 is the flagship gathering for European VET leaders, funded project practitioners, policymakers, and institutional partners shaping the future of vocational education and training across Europe.
This year's conference comes at a defining moment for the sector, as work on a new EU VET Strategy moves forward. Under the theme "Europe's VET Strategy in Action," join us for three days of policy, partnerships and networking — exploring what the strategy means for institutions, national systems, and organisations across Europe.
Whether you want to understand the direction of European VET policy, exchange experiences with peers and decision-makers, or discover opportunities to support your organisation's next project, this is where strategy turns into action.
Why This Matters Now
Three days in Paris, built around the people and conversations shaping the future of VET. Join European VET leaders, national policymakers, funded-project practitioners and institutional partners for a conference that's as much about who you meet as what you hear: an evening cruise on the Seine, hands-on Implementation Labs where you help shape real outcomes, a study visit inside a Paris VET institution, and the kind of networking that turns into your next project partnership.
The EU's VET Strategy is taking shape this year — and this is where the sector gathers to talk through what it means, together, against the backdrop of one of the world's most iconic cities.
What's Included
We've brought together a curated lineup of speakers representing VET across Europe, ready to lead the policy conversations shaping the sector's next chapter. But a conference ticket gets you far more than a seat in the room.
Our conference brings you a Wednesday evening cruise on the Seine, an opportunity to meet fellow participants before the sessions begin, followed by a full day of EU policy sessions and panels on Thursday, delivered with simultaneous interpretation. You'll have the opportunity to join one of five Implementation Labs, contributing directly to a measurable outcome for 2030, and on Friday, a study visit to a working VET institution in Paris to see the strategy applied in practice. Throughout the event, one-to-one B2B matchmaking meetings offer the chance to build the partnerships behind your next project.
Need more detail on using Erasmus+ funds, or a visa invitation letter and other travel documents? Contact us at events@evbb.eu — full details in the FAQ.
Conference Journey
Three days, every perspective in the room.
You'll leave with a clear, practical understanding of what Europe's evolving VET Strategy means for your institution, and with new partnerships across one of the largest VET networks in the world, ready to support your next project. Every session is accessible in your own language, and the event is hosted in partnership with AFPA and the French Ministry of National Education, placing you at the center of the sector's most credible policy and practice network.
A look back at EVBB Annual Conference 2025!
Before you register, take a look at what happened last year: the sessions, the people, the energy. It's a good taste of what to expect this November. We can't wait to welcome you to Paris for 2026!
Find below frequently asked questions.
How to pay?
Two payment routes are available, and you choose at the end of registration.
By card
Pay immediately through the platform. Your place is confirmed the moment payment clears and you receive a receipt automatically.
By invoice or bank transfer
For organisations whose finance rules do not allow card payment. Select "Pay by invoice" and provide your billing entity and address, VAT number, and any purchase order or supplier reference. We issue the invoice within five working days. Payment is due within thirty days of the invoice date, and in all cases before 5 November 2026.
Your place is held from the moment your registration is submitted; it is confirmed when payment is received.
Bank details
Account holder: Europäischer Verband Beruflicher Bildungsträger · IBAN: DE21 3702 0500 0001 7960 00 · BIC: BFSWDE33XXX · Bank: Bank fuer Sozialwirtschaft · Reference: your invoice number and surname, so that we can match the payment.
Questions about invoicing
Write to events@evbb.eu with your registration reference. We can complete supplier registration forms and quote purchase order numbers on the invoice.
Mobility fund guidance
Some participants may be eligible to use Erasmus+ mobility funds to cover travel and participation costs. This depends on the internal rules of your organisation and approval from your Erasmus+ coordinator.
If you intend to use Erasmus+ funding, you are encouraged to inform the organisers in advance so that the necessary supporting documents can be provided.
What is included in the participation?
Participants will enjoy hosted catering moments throughout the event, including the Seine networking cruise and welcome reception on Wednesday evening, and the gala reception later in the programme. Additionally, lunch on 19 November will be provided for participants.
Please note that the dinner on 19 November is not included and will be at participants' own expense.
Do I need to book my own accommodation?
Yes, participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
A list of recommended hotels across different price ranges is provided in the Info Pack for your convenience. Participants are advised to book early due to high demand.
How do I get to Paris and move around the city?
Paris is served by two main international airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), located about 25 km northeast of the city centre, and Orly Airport (ORY), about 15 km to the south.
From the airports to the city centre you can travel:
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by RER train (RER B from CDG or the Orlyval and RER B combination from ORY, approximately 30 to 45 minutes, around €13–15),
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by taxi or ride-hailing app (approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic, with fixed taxi fares to central Paris of about €45–65),
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or by car rental, available directly at both airports.
Within the city, the extensive Paris Métro, RER, and bus networks provide convenient access to most destinations. Central districts are highly walkable, particularly along the Seine and in historic neighbourhoods. The Île-de-France Mobilités app and Google Maps are reliable for local navigation.
How do participants benefit from attending the event?
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Be part of the first major sector event after Europe's new VET Strategy, and help turn it into action.
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Get a clear, practical read on what the strategy means for your institution.
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Meet the people who make VET work: European leaders, national systems, and the practitioners on the ground.
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Build the partnerships your next project needs, across one of the largest VET networks in the world.
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Follow every session in your own language, with simultaneous interpretation.
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Experience Paris, hosted with AFPA and the French Ministry of National Education.
What should I bring?
As the event takes place in November, participants are advised to bring:
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Warm layers and a waterproof jacket or coat
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Comfortable, weather-resistant shoes for walking and site visits
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An umbrella and other rain protection, as showers are common
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Smart-casual attire for sessions and networking activities
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Personal documents and any required medication
Temperatures in Paris in November are typically cool, so dressing in layers is recommended for comfort throughout the day.
Visa and Invitation letters
Travelling from outside the Schengen area
Participants who need a Schengen visa should start the process as early as possible. Appointment waiting times in some countries run to several weeks and consulates do not accelerate applications for conferences.
Letter of invitation
EVBB issues a formal letter of invitation to registered participants whose payment has been received or whose invoice has been issued. The letter confirms your registration and sets out the purpose, dates and location of the event.
To request one, write to events@evbb.eu with: your full name exactly as in your passport, passport number, date and place of birth, nationality, your organisation and role, your intended dates of travel, and the consulate where you will apply.
Deadlines
Request by 30 September 2026. We cannot guarantee letters requested after 15 October 2026.
What the letter does and does not do
The letter supports your application. It is not a sponsorship, a guarantee or an undertaking of financial responsibility, and the decision rests entirely with the consulate. If your visa is refused, the cancellation policy applies; send us the refusal notice and we will treat the case sympathetically.