Final ceremonies of the "RaSTEM" program
- Trokut
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Diana Mudrinić and Ivana Vudrag participated in the final ceremony of the “Local Development and Poverty Reduction” Program, held in Zadar on April 7, 2025.
More than 9,000 students participated in STEM workshops and programs, four regional science centers were established with 50 educational programs, and 34 schools and centers for the education of children with disabilities were equipped — just a part of the results of the “Local Development and Poverty Reduction” Program, whose final event took place in Zadar.
Trokut is one of the four established regional development centers in Croatia, aimed at education and the promotion of STEM sciences.
Dedication to work, innovative ideas, motivation, and efforts to achieve the program’s goals marked this initiative, jointly implemented by teachers, students, regional science centers, and their partners, all under the guidance of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
The program focused on improving the competencies of teachers and educational professionals and developing teaching models in entrepreneurship, with the aim of enhancing the knowledge, skills, and competencies of students in rural and deprived areas. It was funded through the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms 2014–2021. As part of the program, over 2,300 educational professionals improved their skills and competencies in STEM, information and communication technologies, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship.
"Equal education opportunities are the foundation for building a successful and fair society. That’s why we implemented a range of projects across Croatia through this Program, aimed at modernizing infrastructure, acquiring modern technology, and strengthening elementary education. With this and similar programs, we are encouraging the development of knowledge and skills needed for the jobs of the future and ensuring that our children, with the same standards as their peers across Europe, are prepared for the labor market throughout their schooling," said Domagoj Mikulić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
The total value of the Program is €32.2 million, of which 85% is funded through the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms, and 15% through national co-financing.
As part of the event, an exhibition of projects carried out within the Program was presented, which can be viewed until April 11 in front of the City Library in Zadar. The three most successful projects, selected through online voting by users and the general public, were also announced.
Out of more than 1,700 votes, 27% went to the project “Smart Village Opportunities” by Mijat Stojanović Elementary School in Babina Greda, implemented in collaboration with the donor partner, Brundalen Elementary School from Norway.
As a result of the project, the school was equipped with new technological tools, including LEGO robots, 3D modeling equipment, and devices for STEM education.
Second place went to the project “Tesla’s Classroom” by Sibinjske Žrtve Elementary School from Sibinj, in partnership with the Nikola Tesla – Genius for the Future Association and the Open Computer Workshop “We’re All Against,” as well as donor partner GeoCamp Iceland ehf from Iceland. One of the key outcomes of the project was the adaptation of a classroom for STEM teaching, equipped with new furniture, computers, and interactive tools. A photovoltaic power plant was installed on the school roof. In the school yard, a gazebo and greenhouse were built for planting herbs, enabling outdoor classes and encouraging students’ environmental awareness.
Third place was awarded to the project ATTEND – “Support for Achieving Equal Educational Opportunities for Students with Developmental Disabilities”, implemented by CARNET with partners from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) and the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences (ERF) of the University of Zagreb, and donor partner the City of Reykjavik. Project results include increased access to assistive technology for 89.3% of students with disabilities, training for 1,324 professionals and 2,170 students, equipping institutions, and developing new methodologies for working with children with developmental disabilities.
Trokut will continue its collaboration with all participants of the program and will focus its efforts on further promoting education in STEM through organized educational activities for students of all age groups, as well as continuing cooperation with teachers and professors.
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