Germany adds €3.5 million to Regional Challenge Fund for dual education
The German government has pledged an additional €3.5 million and appointed KfW to implement the Regional Challenge Fund for dual and vocational training across the Western Balkans.
Branko Azeski, acting president of the Chamber Investment Forum (CIF) for the six Western Balkan countries, has been notified through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (department for Southeast Europe) that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany will provide an additional €3.5 million to the Regional Challenge Fund and has commissioned the German development bank KfW to implement the activity, to be finalised with a financing agreement.
The announcement continues Germany’s long-standing partnership with the Fund: over the last five years the German government supported the Regional Challenge Fund through four open regional calls, enabling distribution of a total €83.4 million in grants to 126 projects across the region.
Previous calls and allocations
The four regional calls financed by Germany were allocated as follows: first call — €14.38 million in grants awarded to 37 consortia; second call — €12.2 million to 27 consortia; third call — €7.29 million to 16 consortia; and fourth call — €12.6 million to 38 consortia.
The Chamber Investment Forum initiated and leads the process of designing and implementing these projects. Chambers play a central role in the dual education model by linking employers — who define present and future labour needs — with educational institutions, which must train qualified and skilled staff.
The Regional Challenge Fund, set up at the initiative of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and financed via KfW, aims to boost the competitiveness of enterprises in the six Western Balkan economies by funding investments in equipment and infrastructure for dual and vocational education projects developed in partnership between vocational training institutions and companies. Grants are awarded through a competitive regional challenge.
Within the programme, North Macedonia has received support across the four grant rounds for 17 consortia: 12 vocational schools, 5 faculties and 88 companies/organisations, with a combined funding total of €7.63 million.
With the new German contribution of €3.5 million, KfW will be responsible for implementation and the process will be formalised through a financing agreement that defines the next steps for disbursement and project selection.
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