POLICY ASSESSMENT CROATIA
Policy Entry 1
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
Regulation on the conditions of exercising students’ rights to state scholarships in STEM
Policy Type (National/Regional):
National
Year of Adoption:
2023
Responsible Authority:
Ministry of Science and Education
Policy Scope:
Elementary and Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training
Key Objectives:
This policy regulates the conditions for the awarding of state scholarships to full-time students in biotechnical, technical, biomedical and natural science degree programs. These scholarships are primarily aimed at STEM teacher students, who are given preference over other STEM students who earn points in mathematics according to their state graduation rate. Users of state STEM scholarships may not finance their studies from other public sources, with the exception of students participating in international exchange programs.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
The policy in question facilitates the study of STEM students, especially STEM teacher students, while Croatia is facing a declining number of STEM teachers. Students who want to become STEM teachers are obliged to accept the job offer made by the relevant ministry. If they reject the offer, they must return their entire scholarship.
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
The policy does not explicitly promote gender equality. The only exception relates to students with disabilities (60% functional impairment of the organism or 3rd degree of functional impairment), who are entitled to additional points when scholarships are awarded.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
No.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
The state committee for awarding scholarships (7 members in total, including three student representatives appointed by the Croatian Student Assembly) evaluates the applications, draws up a ranking list and examines possible complaints, while the universities provide the Ministry with information on students in STEM subjects.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
The state committee for awarding scholarships oversees the application and reward process, while the responsible ministry checks whether the scholarship holders have successfully completed their studies and accepted the job offers in public educational institutions.
Monitoring Indicators:
Scholarship applicants are assessed according to the level of academic success in mathematics for the first year of study, while the assessment points for the higher years of study are calculated as the sum of the average number of ECTS earned during the program (no more than 60 in one year) and the average of all grades earned by the student during the program compared to the average grade of the program at the institutional level.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
Yes: STEM (teachers) students receive EUR 600 for one academic year (the scholarship is paid continuously for the entire course of study), while other STEM students receive EUR 300 per academic year (the scholarship only covers one academic year).
Impact Description:
The main purpose of this policy is to motivate students to enroll in STEM studies, especially STEM teacher studies, as Croatia is facing a serious problem of a shortage of STEM teachers. The Ministry is trying to reduce the number of missing STEM teachers by offering direct employment to students who have completed a STEM teaching degree. By co-financing the education of STEM students, Croatia is trying to attract young experts to live and work in Croatia.
Link to Source Document:
https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2023_06_70_1167.html
Policy Entry 2
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
Digital Croatian strategy for the period until 2032
Policy Type (National/Regional):
National
Year of Adoption:
2023
Responsible Authority:
Croatian Parliament
Policy Scope:
All segments of digital ecosystem: infrastructure, technology, science and education, innovations and market.
Key Objectives:
Harness the power of digital technologies to enable the development of a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and resilient economy and society. Accordingly, in the next decade, Croatia should create the conditions for the application of advanced technologies such as 5G/6G, AI, machine learning, cloud computing, big data and blockchain technologies in the public and private sectors. Advanced technologies will enable qualitative processing and use of data, which will lead to more efficient work of public institutions, personalization of public services and better cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
Strengthening competitiveness through greater promotion of the ICT industry and support for start-ups/scale-ups (with a focus on ICT training through scholarships and tax breaks for foreign ICT experts), digitalization of public administration, expansion of electronic broadband communication networks and development of digital skills and digital jobs. A particular focus is on the protection of natural resources, as ICT is a major consumer of electrical energy and a producer of electronic waste. The digital infrastructure is being developed according to the principle of synergy between green and digital transformation.
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
The policy does not explicitly address gender equality.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
Yes, the policy promotes the increase of ICT experts in the labor market and explicitly states that in 2021, 80% of ICT experts are male and only 20% are female. It is proposed to promote activities that lead to the employment of a larger proportion of female experts.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
The Ministry of Labor, Pensions, Family and Social Policy, the Ministry of Science and Education and the State Central Agency for the Development of the Digital Society will make the necessary investments to expand the capacity of Croatian higher education institutions, introduce new study programs, increase the quotas for existing study programs in STEM subjects and increase the number of students enrolled in high schools with a focus on mathematics. The stakeholders will also develop programs for young researchers that promote individual careers, internships in a real sector, international exchanges and support for start-ups and pin-offs of young researchers.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
The Strategic Planning Coordinator is responsible for collecting, analyzing and comparing the indicators used to evaluate the successful implementation of the strategy. The mid-term evaluation is scheduled for 2027 in order to identify possible drawbacks in the implementation of the strategy and prepare any necessary changes. The final evaluation will be carried out in 2033 to determine whether the strategy has achieved its objectives.
Monitoring Indicators:
Human capital is monitored by DESI in two sub-categories (skills of internet users and advanced skills and development), the percentage of ICT experts employed, the level of digital skills of individuals, expressed as a percentage.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
The funding is assessed according to the specific objective: developed and innovative digital economy requires approximately EUR 303 million, for the digitalization of public administrations approximately EUR 515 million, for the development, availability and use of broadband networks approximately EUR 311.1 million and for the development of digital skills for life and work in the digital age approximately EUR 286 million, i.e. a total of EUR 1,415.1 billion.
Impact Description:
Increase the development of human capital from an initial 51.8 % to 70 %, which would place Croatia among the top five EU countries, increase the number of ICT employees from the current 3.6 % to 8 % in 2032, increase the percentage of digital skills among citizens from the current 63 % to 80 % in 2032. Expansion, availability and use of broadband networks from the current 48.1 % to the EU level of 95 %. The digitalization of public administration is to be increased from 53.6% to 85.6% and the integration of digital technologies from 40% to 66%, with investments in the ICT sector to be increased from 4.5 to 13% of GDP.
Link to Source Document:
https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2023_01_2_17.html
Policy Entry 3
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
National gender equality plan for the period until 2027
Policy Type (National/Regional):
National
Year of Adoption:
2023
Responsible Authority:
Government of the Republic of Croatia
Policy Scope:
The policy aims to improve the position of women in the labor market, particularly in terms of harmonizing their private and professional responsibilities, and to protect women from all forms of violence. In order to increase the percentage of women in employment, the state plans to reduce undeclared work, train women to better adapt to new jobs and worker mobility, create new jobs and motivate start-ups, and reduce the percentage gap between the employment of men and women in certain sectors of the economy.
Key Objectives:
The policy aims to increase the proportion of women who would otherwise not choose traditionally male professions, while only 31.5 of female students are enrolled in industrial, technical and craft educational institutions in 2021/2022. The policy also aims to increase the number of female students in STEM degree programs, while the latest available data shows that only 32% of STEM graduates were female, in ICT only 21% and in civil engineering only 18% of graduates were female. To achieve these goals, it is important to develop digital skills and technologies and digitally transform the labor market.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
The policy focuses primarily on STEM education and STEM professions, while all indicators collected confirm the extremely low proportion of female students and female employees in these fields. By adapting the curricula in primary and secondary education, the state is trying to improve the digital literacy of all students and thus increase female students’ interest in STEM education and employment. By introducing social and legal measures, the state is also trying to improve the balance between personal and professional obligations for women, giving them more time to continue their education and/or requalify.
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
Yes, the policy explicitly states that all measures and suggestions for improvement are aimed equally at male and female actors.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
Although the policy primarily promotes the better inclusion of women in the labor market, it also highlights areas where there is a lower proportion of male students/employees: for example, there is a lower proportion of male students in the social sciences or the fact that women are better paid in two sectors of the economy: Water Supply and Construction.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
Yes, the working group for the development of the National plan for Gender Equality for the year 2027 consists of representatives from the State Administration, the Central State Office, the Government Office, the Regional Committee for Gender Equality, the academic community and civil rights associations.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
The public will be familiarized with the policy through the central government portal of “e-consultation”, where the representative of the working group defined above will act as an intermediary between the public and the government representatives. The working group will prepare the public consultation report and moderate the policy, the final version of which will be submitted to the state for adoption.
Monitoring Indicators:
Number of visits to the website of the Office for Gender Equality, number of copies of the National Plan distributed, number of public presentations of the National plan, number of press releases on measures implemented, evaluation of the communication action plan implemented.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
Yes, the Action plan, which will be implemented until 2027, was co-financed with EUR 28 882 826 million from budget users and an additional EUR 7 668 922 million from the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Croatian Health Insurance Institute.
Impact Description:
The National plan for Gender Equality has been adopted with full public support. The state administrative bodies implement the measures of the National Plan and systematically invest material and human resources in its implementation. Gender equality is considered one of the highest values of the constitutional order of the Republic of Croatia and the basis for the interpretation of the Constitution.
Link to Source Document:
Policy Entry 4
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for Croatia for the period from 2021 to 2030
Policy Type (National/Regional):
National
Year of Adoption:
2025
Responsible Authority:
Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition
Policy Scope:
Energy sector, Green jobs
Key Objectives:
The main objectives of this policy are defined in five main areas: Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security, Internal Energy Market and Research, Innovation and Competitiveness and include: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of renewable energy sources and comprehensive electro-energetic connectivity with greater resilience to climate change. This policy will help to plan and implement a low-carbon development strategy until 2030 and will enable Croatia to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the “Ready for 55” legislative framework.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
This policy is primarily focused on the green energy sector by implementing a wide range of measures in the five areas mentioned above: Decarbonization aims at reducing greenhouse gasses and increasing the elimination of the sink; Energy efficiency aims at energy renovation of multi-family buildings and systematic energy management in the public sector, among others; Energy security takes into account the preparation and publication of reports on the state of security of electricity supply; Internal energy market includes preparation and implementation of development plans for the electricity transmission network; Research, innovation and competitiveness includes the green and digital transition of the Croatian economy, increasing the employability and education of individuals and improving entrepreneurial competitiveness.
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
Gender equality is not explicitly mentioned in the policy.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
The policy is written in a general tone and no gender-specific goals are emphasized.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
The National Parliament is regularly updated through workshops and thematic meetings. Local and regional bodies were involved in the preparation of the National Plan and all accompanying strategic documents used for the preparation of the Plan, but also in the process of e-consultations for the general public. The representatives of the regional energy agencies were also consulted before a draft of the plan was sent for e-consultation. In addition to national stakeholders, the plan was also discussed with other EU countries and the European Commission.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
The Commission for the Cross-Sectoral Coordination of Policies and Measures for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation summarizes data on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. To improve regional self-regulation, the system for training officials on climate policy and the application of climate proofing is being developed. The National Centre for Climate Change Adaptation will be appointed to improve all necessary capacities for the implementation of the Plan and accompanying strategies.
Monitoring Indicators:
A system will be established to calculate the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by measure, to monitor the reductions achieved and to issue warnings in the event of deviations from the planned targets. The system should also record the planned emission reductions and the person responsible and warn them if the measures are not on track, which may result in the need to purchase emission units. The system should also show the emission reductions and investments per measure and provide insight into the cost of emission reductions per measure implemented.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
The projection of the required investments up to 2030 amounts to EUR 45 billion. The implementation of the measures will be realized through the financing or co-financing of projects from 1) public funds in the form of funds earmarked in the city or municipal budgets of local self-government units, 2) private funds and 3) national and international sources of financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, which include loans and grants (i.e. European Regional Development Fund, European Cohesion Fund, Innovation and Modernization Fund, etc.).
Impact Description:
Investments in business infrastructure, primarily focused on the green and digital economy as the backbone of the future development of the territory concerned, in particular in the context of the decarbonization process and the abandonment or replacement of obsolete technologies that the replacement of obsolete technologies based on fossil fuels with high greenhouse gas emissions; development of business infrastructure in the agricultural and food sectors; promotion of research and innovation activities through investments in a highly developed research, development and innovation sector; investment in improving the circular economy; Implementing programs focused on future skills; implementing programs aimed at developing skills and employment opportunities in the region; developing the ICT industry as a driver for high value-added job creation and increasing employment opportunities for those workers who have lost their jobs due to the transition, etc.
Link to Source Document:
https://ravnopravnost.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/NPRS%202027%20APRS%202024/Nacionalni%20plan%20za%20ravnopravnost%20spolova,%20za%20razdoblje%20do%202027..pdf
Policy Entry 5
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
Smart Specialization Strategy until 2029
Policy Type (National/Regional):
National
Year of Adoption:
2023
Responsible Authority:
Ministry of Economy
Policy Scope:
The research, scientific and business sector.
Key Objectives:
The policy aims to improve the innovative impact of research and the capacity to strengthen economic competitiveness. The research sector must produce ground-breaking and influential knowledge that can generate knowledge spillover effects. Interaction between science and business must be intensified to promote technology transfer and develop innovation. The business sector needs to increase its capacity and efficiency for R&D and non-R&D based innovation to strengthen competitiveness.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
Scientific excellence will be improved by providing more funding, developing the capacities of young researchers and supporting scientific infrastructure. Cooperation between science and industry will be improved by supporting their cooperation (financially) and improving the uptake of research and development results. Innovation efficiency will be improved by supporting ecosystem start-ups, improving the skills needed for innovation, supporting the digitalization and green transformation of companies and increasing the market reach of innovation products. Common enablers for achieving these goals include: personalized health, smart and clean energy, smart and clean transport, sustainable and circular food, adapted and integrated wood products, and digital products and platforms.
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
Gender equality is not explicitly mentioned in the policy.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
The policy is written in a general tone and no gender-specific goals are emphasized.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
Yes, entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers provide program designers with the necessary data to develop specific and meaningful actions to improve change in priority areas. The communication tool between policy makers and stakeholders is the EDP (Entrepreneurial Discovery Process). Questionnaires were sent to industry and scientific organizations to collect data on opportunities and project ideas within thematic areas (common preconditions as described above), followed by workshops to define a plan for the development of the transformation.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
A new practice of conducting a survey during the application phase will be introduced for applicants. When applying for the program, applicants must accept reporting requirements that apply regardless of whether or not they have received a grant. Post-implementation surveys are planned in advance and conducted annually. It is planned that the surveys will eventually be machine-readable, which will minimize the administrative costs of processing responses.
Monitoring Indicators:
Improving scientific excellence: number of project-funded publications (Q1 and Q2 papers); number of project proposals submitted after project completion; % of public universities and research institutes that have signed new program agreements. Developing the capacities of young researchers: number of project-based collaborations, number of young researchers hired after the project, number of PhD students who graduated as a result of the project. Strengthening the research infrastructure: number of research positions created in the participating institutions; number of researchers whose working conditions have improved; number of activities completed as part of the organizational reform. Improvement of cooperation between industry and research and other areas of improvement: Number of collaborative research projects signed after project completion; number of technology transfers; number of intellectual property applications; number of process innovations implemented (in the areas of digitalization and green transition); number of students graduated or awarded scholarships in STEM and ICT; number of overqualified people.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
The funds are planned and will be allocated accordingly: Improving scientific excellence will be co-financed with EUR 94 million; developing the capacities of young researchers will be co-financed with around EUR 38 million; strengthening scientific infrastructure will be co-financed with around EUR 269 million. The improvement of cooperation between industry and research will be co-financed with around EUR 443 million. Funds of around EUR 573 million are earmarked for improving innovation efficiency. These funds are provided from various sources: Croatian Science Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia, Croatian Financial Services Agency.
Impact Description:
The main goal of this policy is to create a competitive, intelligent and ecologically acceptable Croatian economy that benefits all its inhabitants. In order to achieve this overarching goal, three important milestones must be reached: improving scientific excellence and thus better input for cooperation between research and business, and consequently increasing innovation efficiency. The industrial transformation of Croatian regions will be implemented through a personalized healthcare system, smart and clean energy, intelligent and environmentally friendly transport, sustainable and circular food, adaptable and integrated wood products, and digital products and platforms.
Link to Source Document:
Policy Entry 6
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
National Development Action Plan of ecological agriculture in 2023-2030.
Policy Type (National/Regional):
National
Year of Adoption:
2023
Responsible Authority:
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Policy Scope:
Agriculture (ecological agriculture and aquaculture), Energy sector
Key Objectives:
The main objective is to create a sustainable, competitive and high quality Croatian organic agriculture and aquaculture sector, supported by effective management of natural resources. This is to be achieved by: Improving information and awareness of stakeholders in the organic agriculture and aquaculture system; Encouraging the participation of a larger number of producers; Strengthening the organic agriculture and aquaculture value chain; Supporting research and development activities; and Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity, soil, water and air from agricultural pollution.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
Several measures are being implemented to achieve the above objectives: Education, advice and informational support for organic producers; encouraging agricultural producers to convert from conventional to organic production; facilitating the path of organic products from producers to consumers by promoting promotion, distribution and sales through tourism; promoting research and innovation with the aim of a faster green and digital transition. Ultimately, promoting the development of organic agriculture and aquaculture will contribute to preserving the environment, mitigating climate change and ensuring biodiversity and animal welfare.
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
Gender equality is not explicitly mentioned in the policy.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
The policy is written in a general tone and no gender-specific goals are emphasized.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries involved several key stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of the national plan: questionnaires were conducted among conventional and organic producers and food buyers; national and regional workshops were prepared with the participation of representatives of public institutions, county and regional development agencies; and close cooperation was established with experts from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Zagreb and the Faculty of Agro-Biotechnical Sciences in Osijek.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
Establish a working unit within the Ministry of Agriculture to lead the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Development of Organic Agriculture 2023-2030. Establishment of a commission to monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Development of Organic Agriculture 2023-2030. The Ministry of Agriculture will monitor and report on the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Development of Organic Agriculture 2023 – 2030.
Monitoring Indicators:
The evaluation will be carried out by internal and external experts after half of the term and after implementation, who will carry out an evaluation: Agricultural land under organic management; organic production of arable crops; organic production of permanent crops; organically reared cattle; organic production and processing of products of animal origin; Number of organically certified farms.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
Under the Common Agricultural Policy for the aforementioned period, the allocation for the Republic of Croatia from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund amounts to EUR 2.6 billion and from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to EUR 2.1 billion, with the specific areas of funding being determined by the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan. Under the Common Fisheries Policy 2021-2027, a total of EUR 243,687,047 was allocated to and Republic of Croatia. An additional EUR 6.3 billion will be made available under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. The total financial resources for the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Development of Organic Agriculture 2023-2030 amount to EUR 718,226,728, of which EUR 258,311,277 is allocated in the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia for 2023 and in the projections for 2024 and 2025, while the remaining funds in the amount of EUR 459,915,451 will be included in the total expenditure of Section 060 of the Ministry of Agriculture when preparing the budget for the following three-year periods until 2030.
Impact Description:
This policy is intended to achieve several effects: Increasing the level of information and awareness of producers about organic agriculture and aquaculture; Establishing an effective education system that promotes awareness among children and youth; Establishing and updating a database on organic production and processing in Croatia; Supporting the conversion to organic production; Increasing the market production of organically certified seed/planting material, especially for field and vegetable production; Promoting the use and care of organically certified seed/planting material; Strengthening the production, storage and processing capacities and organic human resources of producers and modernizing production and processing technology; uniting organic producers and promoting organic products; promoting the placement of organic products in tourism and gastronomy; developing labels for Croatian organic food; implementing the school program; conducting research and educational activities relevant to the development of organic production; Reducing greenhouse gases, increasing biodiversity and preserving soil, water and air.
Link to Source Document:
https://poljoprivreda.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/pristup_info/zakoni_propisi/zakoni_poljoprivreda/ekoloska/NAP%202023-2030_compressed.pdf
Policy Entry 7
Country:
Croatia
Policy Title:
Educational Development Plan of the Istria County until 2030
Policy Type (National/Regional):
Regional
Year of Adoption:
2024
Responsible Authority:
Istrian County
Policy Scope:
Primary education, higher education and lifelong learning with the aim of improving the general conditions for pupils, students and teachers (creating new jobs at all three levels of education).
Key Objectives:
Introduction of civic education in elementary school (with topics such as sustainable development, human rights, discrimination and equality) and the optional course School and Community (project- and research-based teaching and learning); Implementation of a project “Institutionalization of Homeland Education” (preservation of Istrian homeland identity), in-service training of teachers and professional staff in elementary school “Development of teachers’ competences in identification, promotion and assessment of gifted students”, employment of school psychologists in elementary school; implementation of the project “Read your Way to Better English” – Oxford College Press Digital Library; and extended stay program.
Relation to Green/Deep/STEM:
Solving the problem of the shortage of professionals in elementary school, especially math and physics teachers, professionals (speech therapists, psychologists, pedagogues, pedagogical rehabilitators and physiotherapists), administrative and technical staff and support staff; Profiling lifelong learning as an appropriate response to the rapid changes in the labor market, in particular through the introduction of micro-qualifications that help to eliminate the discrepancy between employment needs and the actual percentage of employees (in the ICT sector, there are 132 vacancies in 2022, but only 73 employees; in the field of professional, scientific and technical occupations, there are 476 vacancies in 2022 and only 182 employees).
Gender Equality Focus (Yes/No):
Gender equality is not explicitly mentioned in the policy.
Inclusion of Gender Targets:
The policy is written in a general tone and no gender-specific goals are emphasized.
Stakeholder Engagement (Yes/No):
The public institution “Regional Coordinator of Istria County for European Programs and Funds – Coordinatore regionale della Regione Istriana per i programmi e fondi europei” coordinated the development process in cooperation with the County Administration for Education, Sports and Technical Culture and engaged external experts. Particularly noteworthy is the active participation of representatives from pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, universities, adult education centers, local authorities and civil society organizations. During the development of the education development plan, numerous meetings and workshops were held at which the drafts of individual parts of the document were analyzed and supplemented.
Data Collection Mechanisms:
On-site meetings and workshops with representatives from preschools, primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions, adult education centers, local government agencies and civil society organizations.
Monitoring Indicators:
Improvement of infrastructure conditions: Number of primary and secondary school buildings and dormitories rebuilt, adapted and/or renovated, number of primary and secondary schools and dormitories for which furniture and equipment were procured; Improvement of access to education for children: number of children with developmental disabilities admitted to the primary and secondary school system with trained assistants; number of scholarship holders from the Istria region; Introduction of new and modernization of existing curricula: Number of pre-approvals granted for the introduction of new curricula; Improvement and development of higher education and scientific institutions and popularization of science and technical culture: number of professors and educators with new technical skills in STEM fields; Ensuring the quality of educational staff: conducting trainings for educational staff to acquire new skills and competences; Strengthening counseling and career guidance activities: Number of people with acquired skills; Preservation and development of Istrian identity within the education system: number of home festivals held.
Funding Available (Yes/No):
The county budget, local government budgets, the state budget and funds from EU programs, such as the Just Transition Fund, will be combined to ensure sufficient resources to implement the measures set out in this plan. The exact amount of funding required is not explicitly stated in the plan.
Impact Description:
Improving the equipment of specialized classrooms, offices and laboratories in educational institutions; improving access to education for members of national minorities; improving the education system for developing the competencies of children with developmental disabilities; improving the quality of study programs, scientific research activities and results achieved; improving the dissemination of scientific results and professional knowledge at international, national, regional and local levels and popularizing science and technical culture; motivating employees in the education system and future employees and strengthening cooperation with key stakeholders; strengthening the lifelong learning system; developing local identity and preserving intangible heritage.
Link to Source Document:
https://www.istra-istria.hr/media/filer_public/d3/c9/d3c90eaa-5eb9-40f7-81f1-aca7fffafed0/nacrt_plana_razvoja_obrazovanja_istarske_zupanije_do_2030.pdf