Call for Expression of Interest: The Regional Challenge Fund in the Western Balkans

Thematic Priorities

• To be eligible, projects must address one or more of the following thematic priorities of the RCF:
  • green transition (proposed CT programme is partially or entirely focused on building green skills; budget includes investments for greening practices in schools or enterprises).
  • gender equality and social inclusion (consortia demonstrate a strong commitment to increase gender equality by attracting more females in traditionally male-dominated occupations or vice versa and to include students from vulnerable groups; infrastructure support for persons with disabilities or for fostering inclusion of all genders).
  • digital transformation (proposed CT programme is partially or entirely focused on building digital skills and/or implemented via digital tools; budget includes investments in innovative technologies).
  • national priorities (CT programme addresses one of the preferred economic growth sectors, and/or models, e.g. dual or WBL, and/or strategic VET priorities) as stipulated in the Annex.

Funding Information

• The requested funding from the RCF must range between EUR 150,000 and EUR 500,000.

Use of the Funds

• To reach its goals of strengthening the quality and labour market relevance of VET and, at the same time, to increase the availability of skilled workers for companies, RCF awards grants to be used for investments that will allow for a better learning environment for trainees and increasing the quality of cooperative training activities.

Eligible Costs

• Equipment and Machinery
  • Investments in Machinery and Equipment at the premises of the VTI that are necessary for the implementation of the practical part of the proposed cooperative training programme(s) in line with curricula and defined learning objectives
    • Training on using new Equipment and Machinery, manuals, installation
    • Maintenance costs for the Equipment and Machinery supplied from the RCF funds.
• Works
  • Financing of rehabilitation/extension/adaptation/construction of training-related facilities at the premises of the VTI necessary for the implementation of the practical part of the proposed cooperative training programme(s), under the following conditions:
    • A detailed Bill of Quantities with estimated costs must be prepared and submitted with the Expression of Interest for all types of works
    • If a construction permit is required for the envisaged works according to the national regulations, applicants must submit the relevant preliminary project design with the Expressions of Interest and the detailed Bill of Quantities
    • Should the project be shortlisted, the main (final) project design should be presented within the full application form
    • Should the project be selected for funding, and the construction permit is necessary, the construction permit must be obtained and presented to the RCF not later than 3 months after receiving the official decision on the award from the RCF.
• Cooperative Training Programme Costs (maximum 20% of the total requested RCF funding)
  • Training of teachers and in-company trainers (pedagogical training, training on mentoring, training on green transition, fostering gender equality and social inclusion, and similar)
  • Advisory support to the VTI or enterprises related to the implementation of CT programme(s), upgrade of curricula and teaching materials during the implementation of CT programme(s)
  • Costs for teaching materials/media for practical training in VTIs as required within the scope of the cooperative training programme(s)
  • Expenses for consumables (training materials) to a limited extent relating solely to the implementation of the planned cooperative training programme(s)
  • Support to related aspects such as occupational health and safety (OHS), provision of appropriate working conditions for trainees, VET teachers, and in-company trainers, both at the VTIs and their cooperating enterprises’ premises
  • Costs of marketing and promoting the cooperative programme(s) among potential trainees and their parents, including costs for reaching out to all genders and vulnerable groups.

Eligible Projects

• To be eligible, proposed projects must fulfil the following criteria:
  • The projects must be submitted on time, i.e., by the submission deadline
  • VET consortia must contribute to the projects by making a matching contribution of at least 10% of the amount requested for funding from the RCF
  • Consortia ensure that accident insurance for all trainees is provided in line with national regulations (considered as a matching contribution or co-financed)
  • RCF-funded projects provide training places for at least 30 students by the end of the second year
  • RCF-funded cooperative training projects are open to all ethnic groups. The project proposal may not exclude any ethnic (minority) group from the offered training
  • Cooperative vocational training programmes proposed for the RCF funding lead to nationally recognized qualifications and comply with the applicable national qualification frameworks
  • VTI can propose a maximum of 2 CT programmes (educational profiles, study programmes, or similar as per national regulations) per Expression of Interest
  • The proposed project does not increase the number of students at the VTI by more than 50% compared to the last two years’ average
  • The relevant authority supports the project. Accordingly, the leading VTI should obtain a Support Letter from the relevant authority (ministry or other as per national regulations) confirming its commitment to support the VTI during the implementation of the project and the delivery of the proposed cooperative training programme(s)
  • Anticipated project duration is 3 years maximum starting from the date of signing of the Contract with the RCF (in case of 4-year long programmes the project proposed also lasts for 3 years)
  • The cooperative training programmes can be carried out in a sustainable form after the completion of the project
  • Projects and cooperative training programmes proposed do not support any activity described in the KfW Exclusion List and Sectorial Guidelines or similar.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the RCF funding, leading applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
  • To be eligible for the RCF funding, leading applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
    • Registered in one of the Western Balkan 6 economies for at least 2 years before the Call announcement
    • Provide vocational education and training as their core activity (vocational education and training institute – VTI)
    • Be public, private, or non for profit
    • Recognised by the relevant authority (licensed or accredited per national regulations) as vocational education and training institutions
    • Have engaged in the past, or are willing to engage, in preparing and implementing cooperative training programmes or dual education programmes per national regulations
    • Offer officially recognised long-term or short-term vocational education and training programmes (educational profiles) leading to officially recognised qualifications that follow the regulations of national qualifications authorities or the equivalent
    • Public VTIs are supported by the relevant authorities (ministries, VET agencies, municipal governments, etc.) for their regular operation and maintenance
  • To be eligible for the RCF funding, partnering enterprises must satisfy the following criteria:
    • Registered in one of the Western Balkan 6 economies for at least 2 years before the call announcement
    • Private or public or not-for-profit
    • Working in all sectors and all sizes (micro, small, medium, large)
    • Operate with a positive financial result in the year preceding submission of an Expression of Interest
    • Offer sufficient workplace learning capacities for all learners under the cooperative training project
    • Have already gained some experience with cooperative training initiatives or have decided to participate in them, are committed to supporting the delivery of cooperative training, and are ready to integrate elements of practical education in their work processes
    • Not involved in any activity described in the KfW Exclusion List and Sectorial Guidelines
    • Not owned by individuals or legal entities based in countries under the UN, UK or US, EU, German or Swiss sanctions
    • Not convicted of any criminal activity in the past
    • Partnering enterprises can participate in the RCF-funded projects up to 2 times.
  • To be eligible, vocational training institutes and enterprises must:
    • Agree to disclose their published and/or interim financial statements/reports of the last 2 years during the application phase
    • Are only represented in one project proposal per Call
    • Commit to operate in compliance with international environmental, social, health, safety, and labour standards during the execution of their projects as described in the RCF Occupational Health and Security and Environmental and Social Management guidelines
    • Appoint cooperative training co-ordinators who will be in charge of planning and coordinating the jointly implemented training programmes and provide the necessary support to trainees.

For more information, visit RCF.