prijava
SARAJEVO, February 11 (FENA) - The Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) has announced the first call for Expressions of Interest to support investments in dual education projects, open to applications from the six Western Balkan countries.
At the national conference for BiH today, RCF presented through a webinar the possibilities and advantages of the Fund, the first financial mechanism of its kind whose goal is to improve the employability of young people and strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the region. The funds that will be invested in supported programs range from 150,000 to 600,000 euros, and a total of 18.8 million euros will be allocated for these purposes at the level of the entire region.
Director of the Office of the Development Bank of Germany (KfW) in BiH Adam Drosdzol said that KfW, on behalf of the German Government, established the RCF, which provides employment opportunities. The Fund finances cooperative training programs between vocational education institutions and companies. It is an innovative instrument, driven by demand and takes into account the needs of companies in terms of expertise and skills.
Drosdzol added that the application process will be based on certain criteria where institutions and companies enter into a kind of consortium, i.e. partnership.
“The project is designed to be open in terms of new initiatives and I am optimistic that good applications will be successful and attract new investments,” added Drosdzol.
Vice President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH and member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber Investment Forum (CIF) Ahmet Egrlić said that CIF Western Balkans represents 400,000 companies and a market of 18 million inhabitants with the aim of a single market, removing all barriers, i.e. speeding up the flow of goods, people and money.
Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH in the Sector for Education Adnan Husić reminded that the Council of Ministers of BiH about ten days ago adopted a new strategic document for the field of vocational education and training.
“The adoption of that document is another step on the path of BiH towards EU integration, since its adoption was one of the conditions for acquiring the candidate status set by the European Commission in the analytical report with the Opinion on BiH's application for EU membership,” Husić added.
RCF, as pointed out, aims to strengthen the quality and relevance of vocational education and training for the labor market by financing investments in equipment and infrastructure for training providers involved in cooperative education and training activities with partner companies.
Today's webinar gathered representatives of international organizations and initiatives, regional organizations, public institutions in charge of vocational education and training, chambers of commerce, vocational education and training institutions and companies.
(FENA) A. B.
