ERI SEE and ZUOV Hold Partnership Meeting on Strengthening Regional Cooperation
As part of the implementation of ERI SEE’s 2026 Work Programme and its continued efforts to strengthen cooperation with education authorities and relevant institutions across the region, Sandra Brkanović, Director of the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), met with Zlatko Grušanović, Director of the Institute for Improvement of Education and Upbringing (ZUOV), on 20 April 2026. The meeting was also attended by Maja Todorović, Head of the Centre for Vocational Education and Adult Education within ZUOV.
During the meeting, participants discussed the successful cooperation between ERI SEE and ZUOV, as well as opportunities for further strengthening joint activities at the regional level. The participants agreed that the cooperation achieved so far has delivered very positive results, particularly through projects and regional initiatives coordinated by ERI SEE over previous years, and expressed their shared commitment to continue and further enhance this cooperation in the future.
Special attention was given to future initiatives in the field of vocational education and training, the sharing of experiences among institutions, and stronger networking of relevant educational stakeholders across the region.
The participants also exchanged views on the importance of closer cooperation and networking among educational institutions in South Eastern Europe, especially in the context of current challenges and ongoing education reforms. Particular emphasis was placed on digitalisation in education and the exchange of good practices in this field, considering its growing importance for the quality and accessibility of education.
The meeting also included discussions on potential joint project activities in which ERI SEE and ZUOV could participate as partners, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and developing innovative approaches in education.
In addition, the participants discussed the possibility of organising a regional event bringing together directors of educational institutions, which could serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and good practices on various current topics in education, including digitalisation, management of educational institutions, quality assurance, and other challenges faced by education systems in the region.
Concrete next steps were agreed upon in order to further strengthen institutional cooperation, involve ZUOV more actively in regional activities, and jointly contribute to initiatives supporting the modernisation of education systems and stronger regional connectivity.
