RCF Continuous Support to Human Development in WB6
In 2025, the Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) has continued to play a pivotal role in advancing human development across the Western Balkans by supporting sustainable, forward-looking initiatives in vocational education and training (VET) and regional cooperation. Through strategic engagement with partners such as the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), the RCF has contributed to strengthening skills ecosystems, fostering equitable access, and accelerating sustainable growth.
Building on these efforts, in March 2025 the RCF participated in the ‘From Vision to Impact: Regional Cooperation for Quality Education and Training – EQET SEE Closing Conference’ held in Belgrade.
In turn, ERI SEE actively took part in the RCF’s Annual Regional Conference in 2025, titled Smart Balkans: Shaping Skills for a Sustainable, Competitive Future – Navigating VET in a Digital and AI World. On 8 October, Budva welcomed over 300 participants — both on-site and online. The event gathered businesses, VET providers, policymakers, and partners from the WB6 and the EU to discuss how vocational education can respond to digital transformation, the growing influence of artificial intelligence, and the green transition. Participants exchanged inspiring practices, shared challenges, and explored forward-looking ideas shaping the future of skills in our region.
Earlier in the year, RCF launched the renewed Net4VET platform, designed to enhance visibility, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among VET stakeholders in the region of the WB6. The Knowledge Hub has been created and constantly enriched throughout the year with resources (including the ones published by ERISEE) that offer practical insights into national approaches to dual education and help align training with labour market needs, tackling green transition, digital transformation and gender equality and social inclusion through cooperative forms of VET. In addition, platform presents the awarded partnerships of enterprises and vocational training providers and their innovative practices. Hot Topics presents the trends in skills development and recently brought insights about artificial intelligence and the link between environmental responsibility and competitiveness.
In 2025, the Regional Challenge Fund also launched its Fourth Call for Applications, offering substantial funding to strengthen skills development and boost business competitiveness across the Western Balkans. In partnership with many organizations including ERISEE, through the RESET project, the Regional Challenge Fund actively promoted its Fourth Call as an opportunity for WB6 consortia to design and implement training programmes supporting the green transition, using the project’s newly developed materials and engaging stakeholders and potential applicants through a series of joint onsite and online events held from April to June 2025. The response was remarkable: 187 applications were received from all six WB economies.
Following a rigorous eligibility check and in line with available funding, the selection panel shortlisted 86 applicants to proceed to the next stage. These 86 consortia are now competing for prestigious RCF grants that will enable them to modernize training infrastructure and equipment, better align with industry needs, and address emerging challenges such as digitalization, ESG requirements, and the green transition.
The ongoing engagement between the ERI SEE and the RCF underscores a shared vision: to enhance the quality, social and environmental sustainability, and relevance of vocational education and training across the region. Looking ahead, both organisations will continue to strengthen cooperation through joint initiatives and strategic platforms that support human development and broaden opportunities for learners, educators, and enterprises.
