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The Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) enhances the sustainable competitiveness of enterprises in six Western Balkan economies on their path to the EU single market by funding vocational education and training (VET) institutions. It aims to address business needs for specific skills in collaboration with companies. The fund is financed by the governments of Germany and Switzerland, and investments are made in VET programs jointly designed by companies and VET providers from the region.
Dr. Ralf Rojš, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Podgorica, expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of the project, indicating that the Embassy will continue to provide support, just as it has in the past.
“I am proud that these projects are funded by the German Development Bank. Providing information technology resources is crucial for this school. It’s an initiative that requires time, but it opens many opportunities for the entire Montenegrin economy. Within this project, software and applications can be developed, and these are things that citizens use in their everyday lives,” Rojš noted.
Ersan Spahić, director of the Vaso Aligrudić Secondary Electrotechnical School, expressed gratitude for the valuable donation, noting that this school will now be one of the best-equipped in the country.
“Imagine what an investment this is for Montenegro and what it means for our children to receive equipment that is currently among the most advanced in the world. I think this is the perfect moment to promote the school in the best possible way and for the students to understand that only knowledge and hard work can lead to a better economy and improved living conditions,” Spahić stated.
Balša Ćulafić, project coordinator for RCF from the Chamber Investment Forum and coordinator for international cooperation at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, congratulated the grant recipients and reminded everyone that the delivered equipment is a result of the implementation of a project from the first call of the Regional Challenge Fund (RCF).
“Of the 508,000 euros that the Vaso Aligrudić School received, about 350,000 euros are allocated for equipment, 115,000 euros will be used for construction work, and around 10,000 euros will be spent on various types of materials needed for conducting the training sessions. The equipment we delivered today is valued at 140,000 euros, and I hope that we will soon be able to create conditions for delivering the rest of the equipment,” stated Ćulafić.
We remind you that three new projects aimed at improving skills in Montenegro have received letters of intent for funding after the Fund recently selected the winning projects in the third cycle of its program. It is expected that a new call for grants from the RCF will be opened in the fall, inviting all vocational education and training institutions in Montenegro to apply with project proposals designed in partnership with companies. All information about the call, its requirements, and deadlines will be available on the project’s website and social media channels in due course.
