147 million kuna granted for strengthening Stem skills in primary schools and the development of regional science centers for primary schools and education in the STEM field

The Minister of Regional Development and Funds of the European Union, Nataša Tramišak, granted today, July 22, 2022, 19 contracts with the amount of 147.680.522,74 HRK (19.610.985,03 EUR) within the framework of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area for the period 2014. to 2021, as part of the Local Development and Poverty Reduction program.

85% is financed from the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, while the rest is provided from the state budget.
The ceremonial awarding of the contract was held at the Hotel International in Zagreb. There were the Minister Tramišak and the ambassador and the authorized person of the Kingdom of Norway in the Republic of Croatia, Nj.E. Haakon Blankenborg and State Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Education Tomislav Paljak.
They welcomed everybody. The Ministry Tamiršek stressed how important it is to strengthen the capacity of institutions for primary education in the Republic of Croatia in the field of STEM education. The final goal is improving STEM skills for teachers and other educational workers and to improve STEM skills for students as well as synergistical activities in using information and communication technology in raising and educating.
"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. Extraordinary results can be achieved. 61 primary schools will be involved, and the project activities will strengthen the capacity of 872 teachers and 4.921 pupils, said the ministry Tamiršak

The Ministry said the ultimate beneficiaries of these projects are children. This is the general goal of the financial mechanisms of our donors and the Government of the Republic of Croatia. There is no better way to strengthen social and economic cohesion than to invest for children and to have better future.

There are 19 awarded contracts under the call "Strengthening STEM skills in primary schools and the development of regional science centers for primary school education in the STEM area". The 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.

Bearers of future project activities who have signed Grant Agreements are

• Primary school of the victims of Sibinj, Sibinj
• Diocese of Požega
• Elementary school Josip Kozarac, Soljani
• Ivan Goran Kovačić Elementary School, Cista Velika
• Elementary school Zrinski, Nuštar
• Elementary school Vrgorac, Vrgorac
• Elementary school of Josip Kozarac, Semeljci
• Elementary school of Josip Kozarac, Lipovljani
• Vladimir Nazor Elementary School, Budinščina
• The city of Zadar
• Elementary school, Varaždin
• Elementary school of Antun and Stjepan Radić, Gunja
• Vladimir Nazor Elementary School, Đakovo
• Elementary school Stari Jankovci, Stari Jankovci
• Elementary school Dalj, Dalj
• Osijek-Baranja County
• City of Šibenik
• Split-Dalmatia county
• City of Ludbreg

Izvor: https://eeagrants.hr/za-jacanje-stem-vjestina-u-osnovnim-skolama-i-razvoj-regionalnih-znanstvenih-centara-za-osnovnoskolski-odgoj-i-obrazovanje-u-stem-podrucju-dodijeljeno-147-milijuna-kuna/