22 Jul HRK 147 million allocated for strengthening STEM skills in primary schools and the development of regional science centers for primary school education in the STEM field
The Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds, Nataša Tramišak, awarded 19 agreements with a total value of HRK 147.680.522,74 (EUR 19.610.985,03) within the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area for the period 2014-2021, as part of the Local Development and Poverty Reduction programme.
Of the stated amount 85% is financed from the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, while the remaining amount is provided from the state budget.
At the ceremonial awarding of the agreements, held at the Hotel International in Zagreb, together with Minister Tramišak, those present were greeted by the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway in the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Haakon Blankenborg and State Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Education Tomislav Paljak.
In her welcoming speech, Minister Tramišak emphasized that it is important to strengthen the capacities of primary education institutions in the Republic of Croatia in STEM teaching with the ultimate goal of improving the STEM skills of teachers and other educational workers, and improving the STEM skills of students as well as synergistic activities that will include the use of information and communication technologies in education.
“Extraordinary interest of primary schools, civil society organizations and educational institutions for the funds available through this Call has been recorded. We received a total of 116 project applications with a total value of 106.8 million euros, which is almost five (5) times more than the Call value. Through the implementation of the awarded agreements, extraordinary results will be achieved, the implementation of which will involve 61 elementary schools, and through project activities, the capacities of 872 teachers and 4.921 students will be strengthened,” emphasized Minister Tramišak.
The Minister said that the ultimate beneficiaries of these projects are children, and this fits perfectly into the general goal of the financial mechanisms of our donors and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, because there is no better way to strengthen social and economic cohesion than to invest in a better future of children.
Through the 19 awarded agreements within the framework of the Call “Strengthening STEM skills in primary schools and the development of regional science centers for primary school education in the STEM area” support will be provided to strengthen the capacity of primary school education institutions in the Republic of Croatia in STEM teaching by modernizing space and acquiring STEM equipment for schools.
The following promotors of future project activities have signed the Grant Agreements:
- Primary School Sibinjskih žrtva, Sibinj
- Požega Diocese
- Primary School Josip Kozarac, Soljani
- Primary School Ivana Gorana Kovačića, Cista Velika
- Primary School Zrinskih, Nuštar
- Primary School Vrgorac, Vrgorac
- Primary School Josipa Kozarca, Semeljci
- Primary School Josipa Kozarca, Lipovljani
- Primary School Vladimira Nazora, Budinščina
- City of Zadar
- Primary School, Varaždin
- Primary School Antuna i Stjepana Radića, Gunja
- Primary School Vladimira Nazora, Đakovo
- Primary School Stari Jankovci, Stari Jankovci
- Primary School Dalj, Dalj
- Osječko-baranjska County
- City of Šibenik
- Splitsko-dalmatinska County
- City of Ludbreg