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TVET System Strengthening in Bosnia and Herzegovina


The Project will improve the governance of technical and vocational education and training, its financing and the collaboration between public and private sector. This will contribute to education and training programmes that meet labour market needs. As a result, economic growth, employment, and social cohesion as well as alignment with EU standards is stimulated. Switzerland will engage with actors who are willing to reform and provide its expertise with dual apprenticeship systems.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Other
Vocational training
Education
Sector not specified
Vocational training
Education policy
01.05.2023 - 30.11.2028
 CHF  3’303’000
The project in brief
Background Improving Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to align with EU standards and address the labour shortages which increasingly affect economic development. As the EU has opened conditional EU accession negotiations, the country faces challenges in its multi-tiered governance structure, hindering effective TVET reforms. Despite strategic plans, progress has been limited, with the EU noting a lack of significant progress. The administrative complexity of the country with 12 sub-ational TVET systems, results in a fragmentation of the stakeholder landscape and a lack of coordination. The private sector’s concerns over the skills gap and its impact on economic competitiveness highlight the need for better coordination and stronger engagement between education and labour markets. TVET is also gender-biased with young women underrepresented with a share of only 30% of students. Based on its on-going, long-term cooperation in the sector, combined with highly sought after Swiss expertise on dualTVET systems, Switzerland provides added value to the important issue of TVET governance and financing together with interested local public and private sector partners.
Objectives The overall goal is to strengthen TVET governance and coordination based on evidence-based policy making and in line with European quality assurance principles.
Target groups The target group includes education authorities, TVET schools, employers and their associations/chambers. TVET students are the end bene ficiaries of the Project
Medium-term outcomes
  • Education authorities across the country, that are committed for change, fulfil their roles and responsibilities more effectively and bring policy to practice for inclusive dual-oriented TVET and system financing reforms.
  • Businesses are proactively engaging with governments on dual-oriented TVET reforms.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Strengthened policy framework for dualoriented TVET at cantonal and entity level
  • Improved Capacities for dual-oriented TVET Evidence Based Policy Making
  • Strengthened capacities for application of quality assurance in line with European standards
  • Sustainable implementation of dual-oriented TVET
  • Dual-oriented TVET Business Dialogue Platform established and functional.


Results from previous phases:  

  • TVET reforms are defined in the “Riga Conclusions for Improvement of Quality and Relevance of TVET in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021-2030" and in the country’s priorities for the “EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans”.
  • The Framework Law on Secondary TVET defines the basic principles, goals and standards, based on EU recommendations.
  • Tripartite Advisory Councils for TVET exist in five cantons, Republika Srpska and Brcko District
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
  • Foreign private sector North
  • Foreign private sector South/East

Implementing partner
GOPA Worldwide Consultants GmbH

Coordination with other projects and actors

With other Swiss projects: GIZ Strengthening TVET, Local Economic Development in BiH, KfW Regional Challenge Fund 

With other donor projects: OEAD Enhancing the Quality of in-company Learning, EU Technical Assistance for TVET Education in BiH, EU Support to Improved Quality of TVET Education.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’303’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’300’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   510’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   9’863’000
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EDUCATION
    Unallocated / Unspecified
    EDUCATION
    Unallocated / Unspecified
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Vocational training
    Sectors not specified
    Education policy and administrative management
    Sectors not specified
    Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
    Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
    Mandate without fiduciary fund
    Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10434

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Last update 30.07.2024