The European Union is Serbia's most important partner when it comes to introducing new education standards, development of curricula, professional development of teachers and financing school equipment. The aim of this support is to strengthen the role of education as a foundation of development of individuals and society and alignment with labour market needs. The EU has so far provided support to these areas in the amount of more than 100 million EUR.
The priority of EU support is to ensure the quality of education and achieve equality and equity, so that every child can exercise his or her right to a quality education. The EU has also contributed to a better quality of teaching and learning by modernising and equipping 175 high schools and 27 faculties.
In order to align the education system with the needs of the labour market, establishing a National Qualifications Framework has been supported, which has made the education system more modern and harmonised with European standards. With the introduction of the National Qualifications Framework, employability in the domestic and international labour market is increased.
EU support also contributes to the inclusion of every child in education through introduction of innovative support mechanisms. In the circumstances affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU is contributing to overcoming the digital divide by supplying digital equipment, establishing digital libraries and learning support clubs, as well as by professional training of teachers.
Educational institutions, pupils, students, teaching staff and organisations from Serbia participate very actively and successfully in the "Erasmus +" programme in the field of education, youth and sports. More than 15,000 young people, students and teachers have participated in mobility programmes in the last 7 years. Since 2019, Serbia has been participating in the programme equally as the EU Member States.
The EU has supported the equipping and renovation of more than 300 schools and 50 pre-school institutions and continues to support the modernisation of education in Serbia in accordance with European and world trends.
