RESET National Events: May–June 2025 Building bridges for sustainable energy learning
From April till June 2025, twelve national events took place in all six Western Balkan economies within the framework of the Renewable Energy Services in Education and Training – RESET project. RESET is implemented by the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) as part of the broader Green Agenda: Decarbonizing the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The events focused on promoting renewable energy in the context of education. All events included expert insights on labor market trends and the role of education in the green transition, with brief reflections on gender aspects in the energy workforce. The events also introduced regional teaching and learning materials (TLM) developed within the project — Installation and Maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Installation and Maintenance of Electrical Energy Equipment in Wind Power Plants. During the events, the participants had the opportunity to hear about the funding opportunities through presentations by the Regional Challenge Fund (RCF), and to discuss the possibilities for promoting VET programmes for renewable energy. The events were attended by representatives of adult education providers or secondary education institutions.
In Albania, two events were organised. The first, held online on 29 May, gathered adult education providers and the second, taking place in Tirana on 10 June, gathered representatives of secondary VET schools. The events were moderated by Ms Ejvis Gishti and included presentations by Ms Emanuela Shkupi, renewable energy expert, on national energy developments, and by Igli Bisha, who presented the TLMs. The experts guided the participants through national priorities and the newly developed teaching and learning materials, with a focus on how schools and adult education providers can contribute to the promotion of green careers.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the events were held on 11 April in Banja Luka, gathering adult education representatives and on 24 June in on-line format, gathering VET schools. The events were moderated by Mr Dušan Sarajlić, while Mr Zdravko Perić, renewable energy expert, gave presentations on labour market needs in the energy sector and Ms Marina Braletić (one of the authors of the TLM) on the structure and use of the regional TLMs. The final sessions of the events were focused on recommendations for promoting green professions.
Two events were also organized in Kosovo*. The first was, on 28 May, was an online session for adult education providers, and the second, on 13 June, was organized in person in Priština for secondary VET schools. Both were moderated by Valbona Fetiu Mjeku and featured contributions by Bukurije Hoxha, renewable energy expert, who discussed policy developments and gender aspects of energy sector employment, and by Astrit Rexha and Ryve Prekorogja, who provided practical suggestions for student outreach and career guidance. The TLMs and Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) Call were also presented. The events encouraged participants to share ideas on linking classroom content with energy sector needs.
In Montenegro, the in-person event took place on 27 May in Podgorica targeting the schools, and the on-line event took place on 4 June for adult education providers. Moderated by Ms Sandra Brkanović, the events opened with remarks from Mr Mladen Perazić (Chamber of Economy, Montenegro) and Marina Papović (ERI SEE). Aleksandar Macura, renewable energy expert, spoke about renewable energy trends and workforce needs, with a reflection on gender inclusion, while Marina Braletić presented the TLMs and their practical relevance. The second event also hosted Mr Sven Dominković, whopresented the RCF Call, outlining eligibility and funding procedures.
In North Macedonia, the online event, targeting adult education institutions, was held on 30 May, while the second one, organized in-person, took place on 5 june, targeting the representatives of schools. Both were moderated by Mr Čedomir Dimovski, with expert presentations by Ms Svetlana Nikoloska, a renewable energy expert, who presented labor market developments in the energy sector, and by Ms Marina Braletić who presented the regional TLMs to the audience. Gender representation in the sector was briefly discussed. The RCF was presented during the first, online, event.
In Serbia, two RESET events were held in May. The first was an online event on 22 May for adult education providers, and the second one, organized face-to-face, took place in Belgrade 23 May and gathered representatives of secondary education focusing on energy sector. The events were moderated by Ivana Ms Čvorović Plavšić, while Mr Aleksandar Macura addressed current trends in renewable energy and gender aspects of workforce development, which was followed by presentations of the TLMs by Ms Marina Braletić. The RCF Call was also presented in detail by Ms Jelena Manić Radojčić. During the events, the participants discussed how schools and adult education providers can support the growing demand for green skills.
National events held in the period from April till June 2025, as a part of the RESET project, strengthened cooperation between education and the energy sector across the Western Balkans, informed the audience about the relevance of the renewable energy sector and its connection to the education and training trends, promoted the practical use of teaching and learning materials for renewable energy, and encouraged inclusive, future-oriented education systems that support the region’s transition to a green economy.
