IPA Component IV – Human Resources DevelopmentEuropean Union Programme for Croatia

This project is funded by the EUROPEAN UNIONContact information:

The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) is a pre-accession programme for the period 2007-2013 which has replaced the previous CARDS, Phare, ISPA and SA-PARD programmes. The main goals of this programme are: providing assistance in institutional capacity building and the rule of law, human rights including constitutional rights, minority rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, ad-ministrative and economic reforms, economic and social development, reconciliation and redevelopment, as well as regional and cross-border cooperation.

IPA Component IV Human Resources Development con-tributes to strengthening economic and social cohesion, and the priorities of the European Employment Strategy in the field of employment, education, vocational training and social inclusion.

“The European Union is made up of 27 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, re-sources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlarge-ment of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, de-mocracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms.The European Union is committed to sharing its achieve-ments and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders”.

The European Commission is the EU’s executive body.

MAIN PROJECT PARTNERAgency for Vocational Education and TrainingLastovska 23, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

PROJECT MANAGERKrunoslav NemčićExpert Associate for Planning of ProjectsPhone: +385 (0)1 62 74 671E-mail: krunoslav.nemcic@aso.hr

PROJECT OFFICEImplementation of New CurriculaLastovska 23 10 000 Zagreb, CroatiaPhone: +385 (0) 1 62 74 696

PROJECT TEAMCarsten SchmidtTeam LeaderE-mail: carsten.schmidt@aso.hr

Efstathios DimitropoulosKey ExpertE-mail: efstathios.dimitropoulos@aso.hr

This programme is implemented by EPRD – Office for Economic Policy and Regional Development in coop-eration with University of Jyväskylä, European Profiles SA and Chronos Info.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the EPRD led consortium and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Implementation of New CurriculaProject duration is from April 2010 to October 2011

Main project partner:

A project implemented by: in consortium with:

EPRD - Office for Economic Policy and Regional Development

European Profiles SA University of Jyväskylä Chronos Info

Agency forVocational Educationand Training

Project background

The project is a part of a wider modernisation process of Vocational Education and Training system (VET) in line with the objectives set by the Development Strategy of the Vo-cational Education System in the Republic of Croatia 2008 – 2013. Capitalising on the work already undertaken within CARDS programme this project will reinforce the innovative capacities of VET schools and enable them to be engaged even more in being the key promoters of VET innovations.

Growing relevance of Vocational Education and Training calls for a more active role of VET schools and promotion of school-based innovations. Therefore it is needed to increase VET schools motivation and initiative as well as level of their participation in the process of identifying necessary chang-es and improvements.

Overall objective

Overall objective of the reform to which this project is con-tributing is to reinforce the overall modernisation and flex-ibility of the vocational education and training in Croatia so as to improve its labour-market relevance and responsive-ness to structural changes in Croatian economy in compli-ance with the EU acquis in relevant fields.

Project purposes

To foster introduction of the new, high-quality curricula Æand related systemic approach to the development of innovative culture in the VET schools in line with the needs on the labour market at the local and/or regional level;

To develop capacities of the AVET and the VET schools Æfor successful preparation and implementation of grant scheme and projects.

Expected results

Efficient planning and implementation of VET school Æbased innovations and the pilot-activities related to the on-going grant scheme

Essential elements of the Strategic framework for Æthe VET school-based innovations are identified and prepared for putting in place;

Practical tools necessary for efficient planning and Æmonitoring of the VET school based innovations and the pilot-activities related to the on-going grant scheme “Implementation of new curricula” are devel-oped in line with the specific needs at the national / regional level;

Tailor-made capacity building solutions for VET Æschools aimed at the efficient introduction of VET-school based innovations;

The grant beneficiaries are familiar with the principles, Æmechanisms, regulations and procedures concerning the IPA and capable to cope with them;

Targeted assistance to the Agency for Vocational ÆEducation and Training (AVET) in the implementation / monitoring of the IPA grant scheme for the VET schools is ensured.

Project activities

VET schools in Croatia and the Agency for Vocational Education and Training (AVET) will have the main role in activities of the project.

Within component 1:

The project-work will also include representatives of dif-ferent stakeholders who will through working group develop Strategic framework that will define a wider scope of eligible school-based innovations and the mechanisms and recommendations for their recogni-tion and implementation.

The project will identify and convey existing know-how on innovation from VET schools that already have ex-perience and good results in regard to this issue. Once developed, Strategic framework will be discussed and evaluated within broader group of VET schools and rel-evant stakeholders.

Within component 2:

Group of experts will complete training enabling them to assist VET schools (grant beneficiaries) during the implementation of their projects within the on-going grant scheme “Implementation of new curricula”. Also, within the project a help-desk will be established as a support for the above mentioned VET schools.

Results of all projects will be disseminated to the expert and wider public.

IPA Component IV – Human Resources DevelopmentEuropean Union Programme for Croatia