The Supporting the Development of 21st Century Competencies project aims to enhance 21st century skills through the development of STEM clubs in primary schools and UNICEF innovation clubs in youth centres. The project includes trainings for teachers, mentorship in implementing STEM projects, organising science & innovation events, and providing mentoring support to the innovation clubs. Special emphasis is placed on the inclusion of vulnerable groups, both in schools and in UNICEF innovation clubs.
Project Information
Source of funding: UNICEF
Project duration: 01/2025 – 04/2027
Contact: Mladen Šljivović – msljivovic@cpn.rs
Coordinator
UNICEF Serbia
Partners
Centre for Education Policy, Serbia
Center for the Promotion of Science
Project Description
The main goal of the project is to improve 21st century skills by establishing digital technology libraries and learning clubs in schools, as well as innovation clubs in youth centres. In the segment of the project focused on empowering schools to organise STEM clubs, activities will include teacher training, mentorship in further work on STEM projects, and the development of a network of school projects. The focus is on horizontal exchange among schools, innovative approaches to learning, the use of equipment for implementing STEM projects, and education about climate change.
In the segment of the project related to supporting innovation clubs, the focus is on a mentoring support, developing new non-formal educational programmes, and strengthening collaboration among various stakeholders. Through training, mentoring sessions, and digital exchanges, youth workers and young people will gain new skills and knowledge. In addition, science and innovation events and campaigns are organised to promote science and technology.
The Role of CPN
The Center for the Promotion of Science, within the school empowerment segment of the project, conducts teacher training, coordinates horizontal exchange among participating schools, and provides mentoring support to those schools. In the segment of the project focusing on UNICEF-supported innovation clubs, the Center shall coordinate mentoring support, development of new non-formal educational programmes for the innovation clubs, and the organisation of 11 science and innovation events and workshops in youth centres across Serbia.