ERI SEE

Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe - ERI SEE participated in the 14th International Stakeholder Conference and the 30th Steering Group Meeting of Danube Region Strategy (EUSDR) Priority Area 9 “People and Skills”, held on 28–29 May 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Sandra Brkanović, Director of Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe - ERI SEE, participated as a speaker in the working group “Strengthening Apprenticeships: Bridging Skills and Labour Market Needs” and as a representative of ERI SEE at the Steering Group Meeting.
Maja Todorović, Head of the VET Department at the Institute for the Improvement of Education and Upbringing of Serbia and representative of the SEE VET Net network, participated as a speaker in the working group on public-private governance in VET.
The conference:
💡 Focused on skills, resilience and integration in VET and labour markets across the Danube Region
💡 Explored apprenticeships, work-based learning, upskilling and reskilling systems, and lifelong learning pathways
💡 Highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between education systems and employers
💡 Addressed occupational standards, recognition of prior learning and regional mobility as tools for tackling skills shortages
💡 Examined the role of VET and skills policies in supporting the green and digital transition

The Steering Group meeting was chaired by Roland Hanak from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Jürgen Schick from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Nataliia Atamanenko and Tetiana Iemets from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and Anna Gherganova and Ludmila Pavlov representing the Republic of Moldova. The meeting was moderated by Nadija Afanasieva from the Ukrainian Institute for International Politics.

During the Steering Group Meeting, ERI SEE:
💡 Presented its strategic priorities and project development plans during the current transition period
💡 Shared plans for new regional initiatives and strengthened cooperation with key partners including European Training Foundation and OeAD-GmbH – Agentur für Bildung und Internationalisierung
💡 Highlighted future work related to VET modernisation, quality assurance, adult learning, lifelong learning, and green and digital skills
💡 Contributed to discussions on future cooperation within the EUSDR framework and the Common Regional Market agenda.
💡 Provided an opportunity to exchange updates with key EUSDR PA9 stakeholders and partner organisations. Among the speakers were Gordon Purvis from the European Training Foundation (ETF) and Jürgen Schick from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education.

More SEE website:

ERI SEE Participated in the 14th International Stakeholder Conference and the 30th Steering Group Meeting of EUSDR Priority Area 9 in Sofia – ERI SEE Secretariat ERI SEE Participated in the 14th International Stakeholder Conference and the 30th Steering Group Meeting of EUSDR Priority Area 9 in Sofia May 29, 2026 The Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) participated in the 14th International Stakeholder Conference and the 30th Steeri...

A coordination meeting between Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe - ERI SEE and the ETF - European Training Foundation was held on 11 May 2026, focusing on strengthening cooperation in key areas of education, skills, and EU accession processes.
The meeting was coordinated by Gordon Purvis, ETF Country Liaison for Serbia and member of the ERI SEE Consultative Body, together with ETF colleagues Filippo Del Ninno, Lisa Rustico, Alessandro Brolpito, Olena Bekh and Wouter Van Damme.

During the meeting the ETF presented:
💡 work related to online job vacancies, labour-market intelligence, ESCO, skills anticipation and matching skills to labour-market needs.
💡 work in the field of adult learning including cross-country mapping and analysis of legal frameworks, governance, financing
💡 plans for further analytical and policy work in this area during 2026 and beyond
💡 work supporting innovation in teaching and learning
💡 the ETF initiatives: Scaffold: a card game to revolutionise teaching, , the READY model, Community of Innovative Educators, Teacher booster, FormA: a formative assessment toolkit, ETF micro-credential courses, DERF 2.0
💡 the ETF event in Brussels “Connecting the Dots” 27-29 May and dissemination webinar “Study on the Digital Competence of Teachers in Montenegro”, scheduled for 3 June 2026.
💡 topics related to quality assurance, Centres of Vocational Excellence, digital competences, artificial intelligence and broader European policy developments

The discussion explored: importance of aligning education and employment policies, strengthening skills intelligence systems and supporting upskilling and adult learning policies, challenges related to participation in adult learning, the impact of demographic changes, labour shortages, digitalisation and the green transition, validation of non-formal and informal learning.

The meeting confirmed continued alignment between ERI SEE and ETF and identified concrete follow-up actions for joint activities and regional cooperation.

More on the meeting is available on the ERI SEE website:

ERI SEE and ETF Hold Coordination Meeting on Future Regional Cooperation and Education Policies – ERI SEE Secretariat ERI SEE and ETF Hold Coordination Meeting on Future Regional Cooperation and Education Policies May 11, 2026 As part of the implementation of ERI SEE’s 2026 Work Programme and its strategic orientation towards strengthening cooperation with international partners, a coordination meeting between th...

Sandra Brkanović, Director of Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe - ERI SEE, participated as a speaker at the regional webinar “Visibility and value of skills in algorithmically managed work in the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, organised by ETF - European Training Foundation on 12 May 2026.
It was moderated by Branka Andjelkovic, while speakers also included Cristiana Burzio, representatives of the Infostud, Elvisa Drishti, Ph.D., Nermin Oruc and representatives of qualifications authorities from the region.

The webinar:
💡 Facilitated discussion on how algorithmically managed work and digital platforms are reshaping labour markets, skill demand, and education policies
💡 Placed emphasis on the changing visibility and valuation of skills in data-driven and digitally mediated work environments
💡 Presented aligning skills systems across the Western Balkans through strengthened regional cooperation
💡 Highlighted ERI SEE’s work on occupational and qualification standards, curricula, teacher training, lifelong learning, and work-based learning
💡 Showcased growing importance of digital, transversal, and adaptive competences in rapidly evolving labour markets
💡 Emphasised need to strengthen lifelong learning, upskilling/reskilling, and recognition of non-formal and informal learning
💡 Highlighted the importance of implementation capacity, investment in teachers, and regional exchange of practices

The webinar reinforced the role of regional dialogue in addressing shared challenges linked to digital transformation and the future of work.

The recording is available on 👉

ETF SLNE_ SEET Regional Webinar on Visibility and Value of Skills in Algorithmically Managed Work ETF Skills Lab Network of Experts_12.05.2026 - SEET Regional webinar - Visibility and Value of Skills in Algorithmically Managed Work in the Western Balkans ...

Director of theEducation Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe - ERI SEE Secretariat, Sandra Brkanović, participated in a series of working meetings in Zagreb (5-8 May 2026), alongside WorldSkills Croatia 2026 - one of the region’s leading vocational education and skills events in Southeast Europe.

The visit to Zagreb was organized as part of ERI SEE’s strategic activities and ongoing efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, policy dialogue and partnerships in vocational education and training, higher education and skills development by:

👉 Advancing discussions on new regional project initiatives, partnerships, and potential funding opportunities

👉 Focusing on priority areas: VET modernisation, quality assurance, work-based learning, adult learning, and alignment with European processes

👉 Initiating discussions on a regional skills competition model connected to WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills International

👉 Reinforcing cooperation with Croatian institutions, with emphasis on VET reform, higher education, and quality assurance

👉 Conductiong bilateral meetings with key partners, including Skills Austria,Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education - ASOO, Centre for Vocational Education and Training of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia

The visit contributed to ERI SEE’s broader strategic orientation for 2026, particularly in expanding regional networks and developing sustainable, jointly owned initiatives.

🔗 https://www.erisee.org/eri-see-director-visited-worldskills-croatia-2026-in-zagreb-for-regional-cooperation-and-project-development-meetings/

At the invitation of the Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia , Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe - ERI SEE Director Sandra Brkanović joined the “Dual Education” podcast hosted by Aleksandra Milić, discussing key developments in vocational and dual education across the region.

The discussion addressed:

👉 key topics related to vocational and dual education in Montenegro and the region

👉 the development of qualifications aligned with labour market needs

👉cooperation with employers and the role of work-based learning

👉 regional challenges in VET systems

👉 importance of aligning education with labour market demands.

👉 the role of ERI SEE in supporting education reforms through regional

👉 the role of Ms Brkanovic as Technical Delegate of Montenegro in WorldSkills Europe

👉 the importance of skills competitions for promoting quality and excellence in vocational education,

👉 the idea of a Balkan Skills initiative

The full podcast is available here:

Подкаст | Сандра Бркановић (ERI SEE) | ЕП 11 Подкаст о дуалном образовању бави се значајем сарадње између привреде и образовања и отвара питања која су данас важнија него икада, како за младе, тако и за...

🎓 Unlock new learning opportunities with the EBU Scholarship Programme

The ERI SEE Secretariat, in partnership with the European Business University (EBU), is proud to promote the EBU Scholarship Programme, an initiative expanding access to high-quality, career-relevant online education, supported by the Luxembourg Government. This opportunity is open to all learners aged 16+, reinforcing our shared commitment to inclusivity and lifelong learning.

💡 What’s on offer? A diverse portfolio of accredited courses, including:
• Business Management with AI Integration
• Entrepreneurship and Communication
• Data-Driven Research and Analytical Insights
• Financial Markets and Evaluation
• Women and Leadership
• Leadership and Change Management
• Hospitality: Front Office Operations (with AI considerations)
• Deep Learning with TensorFlow
• Natural Language Processing
• Introduction to Python with AI Integration
• AI for Leaders and Managers
• English Language Programmes (Beginner to Advanced Business English)
• Cyber Security Professional Certificate

💶 Accessible and affordable
While the market value of each course is €740, through this partnership learners can enrol with a commitment fee of just €25-€50.

🌍 Courses are delivered in English, with additional English language support available within the programme.

🚀 Each program/course starts on 04 May 2026, lasts 13 weeks. The application deadline is 01 May 2026.

👉 Take the next step in your professional development and apply here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceoPT3x_KrB9ToSl3G85yFqJJ-sqPSlgKjQa_xX98kipb_Ew/viewform

📩 For more information: [email protected]

ERI SEE participated in the regional conference “Bridging Futures: Internationalisation of Higher Education in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe”, held on 26–27 March 2026 in Skopje, co-organised by the Regional Cooperation Council - RCC and the World Bank, under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia.
The Conference discussions focused on:
👉 Strengthening internationalisation as a driver of quality, competitiveness, and system resilience
👉 Improving mobility and recognition of qualifications across the region
👉 Enhancing governance and quality assurance systems in line with European standards
👉 Strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions, industry and policymakers

The ERI SEE Secretariat was represented by Sandra Brkanović, Director of ERI SEE, who participated as a panelist in the Lab session on strengthening governance and quality systems for regional cooperation. Her contribution focused on advancing quality assurance and fostering a quality culture in higher education through regional cooperation and alignment with European frameworks.

📣 Join us for the "Integrating Sustainability Considerations and Standards for a Just Green Transition" webinar on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 11:00 CET via Zoom. 🌍

🌱 We are excited to introduce Ms. Prabha Dhavala as one of our distinguished speakers. She is a Sustainability Management Expert with IPC Internationale Projekt Consult GmbH.

Ms. Dhavala has extensive consulting experience in greenhouse gas accounting and sustainability reporting, working with a wide array of clients. She is skilled in conducting feasibility studies for renewable technologies and has developed detailed training materials, including programs for Training of Trainers on topics such as green finance and achieving net zero. 📚

🔗 Register now to secure your spot ➡️ https://bit.ly/3BeWxZN

📌 The official language of the webinar is English, with interpretation services available.

🌱

📣 Join us for the "Integrating Sustainability Considerations and Standards for a Just Green Transition" webinar on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 11:00 CET via Zoom. 🌍

🌱 We are pleased to announce that our featured speaker is Ms. Tina Šarić, Director of the Education Reform Initiative for South East Europe (ERI SEE).

Ms. Šarić will give a short introduction of the ERI SEE's publication: Education for Sustainable Development – How to Improve Environmental Performance in Schools, A Practical Handbook for Educators and the motivation behind it.

📌 Ms. Šarić emphasizes the critical role of education in sustainable development: "We recognize the importance of schools in raising awareness about sustainable development. This is why we developed a publication with theoretical and practical aspects supporting teachers, principals, associates, external evaluators and others in building environmentally responsive and responsible communities from an early age."

🔗 Register now to secure your spot ➡️ https://bit.ly/3BeWxZN

📌 The official language of the webinar is English, with interpretation services available.

📣 Join us for the "Integrating Sustainability Considerations and Standards for a Just Green Transition" webinar on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 11:00 CET via Zoom. 🌍

🌱 We are happy to announce Ms. Ermelinda Mahmutaj as one of our speakers. She is an Expert in Sustainable Development and the author of ERI SEE's publication, "Education for Sustainable Development – How to Improve Environmental Performance in Schools (A Practical Handbook for Educators)."

Ms. Mahmutaj holds a PhD in conservation biology from the University of Tirana. Furthermore, she engages as Executive Director of Environmental center for Development Education and Networking (EDEN) and is a coach in the Conservation Coaches Network (CCNet) at the European level. With over 20 years of experience, she has designed and participated in numerous international projects and research initiatives focused on the environment, sustainable development, good governance, and conservation. 📚

In her own words: “Educators have a unique opportunity to shape their students to recognize and act in line with SDGs from a very early age towards their adulthood, becoming proactive citizens responsive to the main issues defined by the SDGs! Sustainability is a global challenge and a responsibility of present and future generations.”

🔗 Register now to secure your spot ➡️ https://bit.ly/3BeWxZN

📌 The official language of the webinar is English, with interpretation services available.

🌱