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The Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development in Higher Education (NICHE) Project

Year of Implementation: 2017

Background

The Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development in Higher Education (NICHE) addressed critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education within Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Recognizing that young adults (18-30 years) in informal vocational training often lack access to RHE, the project developed an institutional framework to integrate SRHR into TVET curricula. Implemented across five key municipalities – Tamale, Sagnarigu, Kumasi, Accra, and Winneba, the initiative specifically targeted post-secondary TVET institutions serving vulnerable youth populations.

Strategy​

he project adopted a two-pronged capacity development approach:

  1. It equipped 12 staff and students from six TVET institutions with skills in Health Needs Assessment methodologies, enabling them to conduct systematic evaluations of young people’s SRHR requirements. Participants received training on Youth-Friendly Health Services (YFHS) standards and RHE curriculum development, with particular emphasis on adapting content for informal vocational settings.
  2. The initiative established systems for sustainable implementation, including a 5-member Technical Advisory Board to provide ongoing policy guidance. The strategy emphasized practical application, supporting beneficiaries to:
    • Conducted comprehensive needs assessments of SRHR challenges in TVET environments
    • Developed context-specific SRHR policies based on empirical data
    • Created prototype RHE curricula, “Ready Steady”, tailored to informal vocational training contexts
    • Established monitoring frameworks for ongoing program evaluation

Key Highlights


The NICHE project achieved several critical milestones:

  1. Built institutional capacity in six TVET centers across five municipalities to address youth SRHR needs
  2. Developed Ghana’s first SRHR policy framework specifically designed for informal vocational training settings
  3. Created prototype RHE curriculum modules adaptable to various TVET disciplines
  4. Established sustainable support structures through the Technical Advisory Board
  5. Trained a core group of 12 SRHR champions who continue to implement and scale the approach
  6. Generated baseline data on SRHR knowledge gaps among TVET students to inform future programming

The project bridged the divide between vocational training and health education by establishing a replicable model for addressing SRHR needs in non-traditional educational settings, ultimately contributing to safer learning environments and better health outcomes for Ghana’s TVET students.