The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a grant of 1.2 million euros to support the successful implementation of the Connected Schools program in Serbia. This project will enable the Project Implementation Unit to develop the necessary practices, knowledge and skills within ministries and among students, teachers and education administration to achieve good quality results and get the most out of the project. This financing complements the EIB’s € 65 million loan signed in 2020 to improve digital skills and competences in more than 1,500 schools in Serbia.

The project enables first-hand training in digital fields for teachers and students across Serbia, while creating the conditions for the digital transition and the Serbian economy. It is also aligned with the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans to ensure that all sectors benefit from digital opportunities, contributing to a sustainable, climate neutral and resource efficient economy, and better governance and public services for them. citizens. This investment is part of the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI), which aims to scale up support to the Western Balkans to boost economic growth, vital infrastructure and social cohesion.

Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova, Head of EIB Activities in Serbia, said: “In light of the digital revolution that is changing global economies, we are pleased to be able to accelerate this process in the Western Balkans and help the region to take a step ahead in a new digital age. Digitization is essential for jobs, long-term stability and increased resilience to crises. Every investment in this sector creates many benefits for the development of connected, competitive, knowledge-based, sustainable, innovative and successful businesses. By ensuring the implementation of best practices and the maximum use of EIB funds previously allocated in the Connect Schools project, we are helping generations of students acquire the necessary digital skills and competences, which will change the future landscape. economy of the country. “

Tatjana Matić, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Government of Serbia said: “The Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications is actively working on the development of infrastructure that should bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas of our country. country. the “Connected Schools” project, a local wireless Internet network has already been installed in 930 schools. We plan to cover more than 1,800 schools during the implementation of the project, which will create the conditions for a systematic digitization of the education system in Serbia. Digital skills are important not only for the daily communication and personal development of every Serbian citizen, but also for the advancement of digital businesses, entrepreneurship and overall economic growth, ensuring everyone the same opportunities to benefit from the new possibilities of the digital age. ‘Connected schools’ will enable teachers to deliver even more effective results in the field, and our children to acquire skills that will allow them the same choices their peers have in developed digital economies. “

Emanuele Giaufret, Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, said: “This project will further help ensure that schoolchildren can fully reap the benefits of rapid digital transformation. Our commitment and Serbia’s commitment to the digital agenda as a whole – not just through this project – will ensure that citizens have the skills to meet the demands of the new economy and help modernize public administrations, to strengthen cybersecurity and increase connectivity. It’s great that we can tackle all of this right from the school stage to the kids’ age. It’s good to be connected. “

In 2020, the EIB Group invested € 125 million to improve digital capabilities in Serbian schools and among small and medium-sized enterprises. For more information on the Connected School project, please visit the following link: https://www.eib.org/en/ stories / serbia-digital-education.