16 May 2023 – In the framework of the TALENT LAB project, final year students from several schools of the Pomurje region presented the results of their several months’ work on how to address concrete challenges, which the Pomurje companies face, by thus also enhancing their skills. The event, which took place at the premises of the School of Economics Murska Sobota, was attended by the Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek and the Norwegian Ambassador Trine Skymoen.
The demonstration event brought together final year students of the School of Economics Murska Sobota, Bilingual Secondary School Lendava, Biotechnical School Rakičan, Secondary School for Catering and Tourism Radenci, and students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Maribor. Young talents gave a creative presentation of the results of their work over the past months, during which they worked with their mentors to find solutions to specific challenges faced by companies in the Pomurje region. The jury selected the best examples.
Minister Jevšek congratulated all the young people involved in the project by underlining the relevance of cooperation between local and educational institutions and the economic sector: “Such cooperation is very important for the further development of the region and for giving young people the opportunity to find jobs and careers here in Pomurje,” said Minister Jevšek. He stressed that youth unemployment is most pronounced in Eastern Slovenia, especially in the Pomurje region: “Young people are continuing to leave the region, as they don’t return after completing their studies in Ljubljana or Maribor. Slovenia’s goal is to enhance harmonious regional development, which is why the downward trends need to be reversed,” he added.
In her address, the Norwegian Ambassador Trine Skymoen stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation at all levels – national, local and individual. She underlined that young people are the driving force of development, especially when working together with the local environment. Damjan Anželj, Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Murska Sobota, said that the cooperation of educational institutions and young people with the business environment has a positive impact on job creation and on young people deciding not to leave the region.
Marko Močnik, Director of the Pomurje Technology Park, acting as the project promoter for the TALENT LAB project, presented the reasons and further measures for strengthening the supportive environment and increasing the employment potential in the Pomurje region. He underlined the importance of investing in research and development, which is crucial in the current low unemployment period.
The event was also attended by the principals of the participating secondary schools, representatives of companies and mentors and coordinators from partner organisations.
The project TALENT LAB – Increasing Employment Potentials in the Pomurje Region focuses on increasing the employment potential of young people in the Pomurje region by strengthening the skills of young people and the capacity of the support environment. It establishes mentoring schemes and focuses on developing practical solutions to real economic challenges. The project is co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism under the programme Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship.
12 May 2023 – One of the two overall goals of the EEA and Norway Grants is to strengthen bilateral relations between the Donors and the Beneficiary States. Bilateral cooperation at the project level is in full swing in Slovenia. Study visits offer an excellent opportunity for project partners to learn about good practices and share valuable experience. Several Slovenian project partners visited Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway and welcomed donor project partners to Slovenia in the past months. Thus, for example Slovenian and Norwegian project partners learned about new methods of outdoor learning as part of the SCHOOL21 project. In the scope of the SALOMON project, which brings together two Slovenian institutions and the Norwegian partner of Nord University, the partners took part in the official opening of the bicycle parking facility and electric vehicle charging stationin front of the Novo mesto General Hospital.
KIPSI: Visits of partner schools and conference Digital and Innovative
As part of the KIPSI project, Slovenian project partners hosted partners from Norway and Iceland on a three-day study visit between 17 and 21 April 2023. Project partners visited the Celje School Centre and the Koper Secondary Technical School. Partner schools showcased the demo versions of e-materials and shared what it was like to have students participating in the creation of e-materials. They also visited the Novo mesto School Centre where they discussed blended learning in practice. To learn more about the study visit, please click here.
Use of digital technologies in the classroom at the Celje School Centre. Author: Nejc Matjašec, student of Novo mesto School Centre.
A conference Digital and Innovative was held as part of the study visit. Partners from Slovenia, Norway and Iceland presented to the Slovenian public the possibilities of introducing blended learning in the learning process and didactic-pedagogical approaches that are being tested through combining traditional face-to-face teaching in classroom-based settings with online learning. Visitors were able to try out for themselves what the video and digital resources developed in the scope of the project are like. You can find more about the conference here.
The students of the Novo mesto School Centre, Nejc Matjašec and Tomaž Stupar took photos at the events and filmed the events respectively. You are welcome to have a look at the photo gallery and video recordings.
TALENT LAB: Measures, incentives and initiatives taken by Norway to prevent brain drain
Project partners from Slovenia (Pomurje Technology Park, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Maribor, School of Economics Murska Sobota, Bilingual Secondary School Lendava, Biotechnological School Rakičan, Secondary School for Catering and Tourism Radenci) visited the Trondheim-based Norwegian partner, University of Science and Technology between 18 and 21 April 2023 in the scope of the TALENT LAB project.
The aim of the study visit was to share good practices with the relevant educational, supportive and administrative institutions given that Norway, more specifically Trøndelag region, also faces the challenge of rural-to-urban migration of qualified young people. Norwegian project partner presented interesting measures, incentives and initiatives that have been designed to encourage young people to remain in the region, connect them with local economy and mitigate or prevent brain drain. The latter has been a critical issue for years in the Pomurje region.
Trata 2.1: Good practices of sustainable mobility from Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein
Partners of the Trata 2.1 project visited Liechtenstein and the Austrian region of Vorarlberg at the end of March to learn about good practices the country and the companies are rolling out to encourage a shift in employees’ travel habits and promote use of sustainable modes of travel. During the two-day visit, local companies and organisations, energy institute as well as local and national authorities presented a number of initiatives that are being implemented particularly at the organisational level to promote sustainable mobility among employees and local population. The decision to support walking, cycling, using public transport or car sharing and car pooling is dictated by the care for the health of both people and the planet, significant cost savings for the employees and the companies alike and reduced environmental impact of transportation.
To learn more about good practices, please click here (in Slovenian).
Participants in the study visit to Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein in the scope of the project Trata 2.1. Author: Samo Kham
digi.komp: Norwegian partners carry out the first round of workshops
Slovenian project partners hosted a delegation from Norway between 21 and 23 March 2023 as part of the digi.komp project. Norwegian project partner Piksel together with three lecturers carried out the first round of workshops. In this context, Norwegian partners learned more about the relevant Slovenian institutions and the way they work and shared knowledge about new approaches and methods of teaching with Slovenian partners.
To end the study visit, project partners visited the Cukrarna Gallery and saw the exhibition Konsekvence – Fragments of a Possible Ecosystem. The visit to the gallery was a perfect opportunity for Norwegian partners to learn more about Slovenian projects that are similar to their educational, artistic and technological activities.
As part of the IMRO project, Project Promoter Slovenian Hospice Society and project partner Society for Cultural Relations SPES paid a seven-day visit to Norway in the first half of March 2023. The host, Norwegian partner Bjerkaker LearningLab, made excellent arrangements and prepared a study visit programme that was packed with insightful visits to Norwegian organisations that are active in the areas relevant for the development of activities in the scope of the project.
In this context, the participants paid a visit to the non-profit organisation Fransiskus Hjelpen that provides home-based palliative care services, Diakonhjemmet Sykehus General Hospital, non-profit organisation Oslo Sanitetsforening that runs various women support and empowerment programmes, centre for activities Aktivitetshuset Prindsen that offers a range of services to people with mental health issues, the housing and community centre for senior citizens Forsmannsenteret and non-governmental organisation based on voluntary work that encourages creative leisure activities Sandefjord Vikingparken. The study visit allowed Slovenian project partners and organisations from Norway to share valuable knowledge, good practices and experience and inspired them with new ideas.
Five Slovenian partners of the NoviIKroG project visited the Bodø-based Norwegian project partner Nord University in March 2023. Slovenian delegation met with the representatives of Norwegian scientific and research institutions, public sector, NGOs and economy that showcased many good practices and trends in circular economy. Slovenian delegation consisted of the representatives of Urban municipality Novo mesto, Development Centre Novo mesto, Faculty of Industrial Engineering Novo mesto, Public Utility Company Novo mesto and Knof social enterprise.
To learn more about the study visit, please click here (in Slovenian).
Partners of the Think XR project, in cooperation with a multidisciplinary working group, organised a study visit to Norway between 6 and 8 March 2023. They met with experts at the Trondheim-based Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) who acquainted them with the novelties and the projects under development. The Norwegian partner took the participants through development labs, explaining how work is done in labs and classrooms. Thus, Slovenian project partners saw first-hand how the teaching process, the work with students and the work on projects are carried out at NTNU. On Gløshaugen and Dragvoll campuses, the hosts presented the didactic and pedagogical approaches they employ and explained how augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) technologies are being used in this process. They outlined the work and progress done in XR projects and showed the Slovenian project partners the labs and the equipment used for work with XR technologies. The participants also got to know how contents are being developed and how academia, researchers and companies that are rolling out XR technology in their processes are involved in the work of NTNU.
The study visit was an excellent opportunity for Slovenian partners to meet with various representatives and stakeholders of Norwegian XR community that shared their views on introducing educational modules for technologies of the future in Norway.
28 April 2023 – Contrary to Pink Floyd’s cheeky statement, the value of education in our fast-paced, ever-upgrading digital world is more significant than ever. Buckle up as we debunk this catchy myth with pre-defined project BlendVET – an EEA Grants project in Slovenia shaping the future of vocational training and bringing the benefits of blended learning well beyond the classroom walls.
The BlendVET project, a collaborative initiative funded by the EEA Grants in Slovenia, seeks to revolutionize vocational education and training (VET) through the adoption of blended learning methodologies. The project brings together partners from across Europe, including educational institutions and organisations in Norway, Iceland and Slovenia focused on promoting excellence in VET.
Blended learning is an educational approach that combines traditional face-to-face teaching methods with digital technologies such as online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and e-learning materials. “Blended learning, also known as hybrid learning, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place-based classroom methods,” says Jonny Kurt Pettersen from the Viken Higher Vocational College in Norway, one of the many partners in this project.
The BlendVET project promotes the use of blended learning approaches in the Slovenian VET system to improve its quality and effectiveness and to make it more accessible to a wider range of learners.
“This project opens up new opportunities for Slovenian schools. It primarily includes enthusiasts who like to experiment with digital technology in the classroom. But it’s not about technology; it’s about the quality of education. We all want to improve education and the life of students, teachers, parents, and the society as a whole.” Mag. Janez Damjan, Director of the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (Project Promoter of the BlendVET project).
The project is being implemented by a consortium of partners, including the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training, Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, Upper-secondary VET school Trbovlje, School center Novo mesto, School center Celje, Upper-secondary VET school Koper, Norwegian Østfold University College, Åssiden Upper Secondary School and Viken Higher Vocational College and Icelandic University of Akureyri and Akureyri comprehensive college. The project is funded by the EEA Grants, which have allocated € 1.6 million to support its implementation.
“The project is exciting and has several objectives. One of the most important is to strengthen teachers’ competence in the use of technology and digital didactics in teaching.” Ana Laura Sieder, International coordinator at the Åssiden Upper Secondary School.
“The reason why I want to be part of this project is because I am passionate about online pedagogy and teaching online, and I see this as a unique opportunity to apply this in my profession.” Jenny Ellingsen-Suri, VET-teacher taking part in the BlendVET project.
With a strong commitment to improving the quality of vocational education and training, the BlendVET project holds the potential to significantly impact the future of VET across Europe, equipping learners with the essential skills and competencies required for success in the rapidly evolving job market. The project is also expected to have a positive impact on the wider economy, by supporting the development of a skilled and competent workforce that is better equipped to meet the needs of the labour market.
Overall, the BlendVET project is an inspiring initiative that is helping to drive innovation and excellence in vocational education and training in Slovenia, by bringing together future-driven partners from Iceland, Norway and Slovenia.
Find out more about the BlendVET project here and the EEA and Norway Grants education programme in Slovenia here. And read more about the EEA and Norway Grants education programmes here.
21 April 2023 – A bicycle parking facility under the GoNM bicycle sharing scheme and an electric vehicle charging station have been set up to tackle dense traffic building up daily around the Novo mesto General Hospital area as part of the EEA Grants-supported project SALOMON.
The Novo mesto General Hospital area and its surroundings are facing traffic congestions, lack of parking spaces, low air quality and high noise levels. Over 20,000 patients are treated at the hospital yearly, over 190,000 examinations are carried out in specialist out-patient clinics on average and over 65,000 people seek medical attention in the hospital’s emergency department. Most of the patients and visitors, including 1,200 employees, use cars to get to the hospital.
Under the SALOMON project, the Novo mesto General Hospital, Novo mesto Development Centre and the Nord University from Norway work together as project partners to raise awareness of sustainable mobility options and spur change in travel habits. Their aim is to encourage hospital staff, patients and visitors to use more sustainable transport modes, such as public transport, car sharing, walking and cycling, to get to the hospital. As part of the project, a mobility plan is planned to be developed for the Novo mesto General Hospital.
Installation of the bicycle parking facility under the GoNM bicycle sharing scheme and the electric vehicle charging station brings project partners and the local community one stop closer towards the goals of the project. Norwegian project partners visited Slovenia to participate in the ceremony marking the official opening of the bicycle parking facility and electric vehicle charging station that took place on 18 April 2023.
20 April 2023 – TRIALOG, an online platform providing young people with all kinds of information about mental health and peer-to-peer violence to empower and mobilise them was officially launched at the expert meeting ‘’Young people and mental health – a long-distance race‘’ that took place on Monday, 17 April 2023 as part of the project TRIALOG.
Online platform TRIALOG
The newly created online platform TRIALOG has been designed for young people to raise awareness about mental well-being and improve understanding of peer violence and intimate partner violence in an effort to empower youth, help them easily recognise different types of stress (in themselves or in peers) and take informed action that creates real change. The online platform covers the following useful adolescent topics:
Peer-to-peer positive dialogue and support where young people give their own self-care ideas to those in need or share lived experience of violence and tips on how to mobilise local communities to work together to improve mental health;
Tips and advice on how to cope with stress and which steps to take to support mental well-being, including through various meditation and relaxation techniques;
Interactive content presented in an innovative and youth-friendly way: a quiz on recognising forms of violence and mental health myths and stereotypes.
Online platform TRIALOG
Expert meeting ‘’Young people and mental health – a long-distance race’’
The expert meeting that gathered both the expert and general public focused on the challenges, opportunities, potential solutions and good practices in young people’s mental health and peer-to-peer violence. The ever-growing importance of this topic has also been underscored by the recent case of peer violence that happened in Celje. The rising number of such events shows that existing prevention mechanisms fail to deliver and underlines the need to address the issues of young people’s mental health and peer violence at a systemic level.
The expert event brought together panelists that aimed to shed light on young people’s mental health and on the prevalence and impact of peer violence. Dr. Ksenija Domiter Protner, school counsellor at the Prva gimnazija Maribor high school; Tina Pivec, Master of Psychology and young researcher at the Educational Research Institute, Lara Mavrič, president of the student community and student at the Prva gimnazija Maribor high school, and project lead, Tjaša Rupar, discussed mental health issues that teens and young adults face today. They also touched on existing support structures and services young people can turn to to get help, identified good practices that can serve as inspiration, and identified systemic gaps and areas where there is still considerable room for improvement.
Project Trialog
Supported through the Norway Grants, TRIALOG has been developed as a response to the challenges young people are faced with in today’s world. Certain problems and stresses that covid-19 unveiled or made worse have remained part of everyday lives of many young individuals even now that covid-19 restriction measures have long been lifted.
As a consequence, poor mental health has been observed among young people, due mostly to rising anxiety and depression rates. Forced social isolation and lack of contacts during the pandemic have left many young people struggling with low self-esteem, reduced independence, social withdrawal and tendency to self-isolate. Material deprivation and deteriorating relationships, rise of peer-to-peer violence, intimate partner violence and domestic violence took an additional toll on mental health of many vulnerable young people.
TRIALOG is a project that fosters empowerment and mobilisation of young people and individuals who work with young people either on a professional or semi-professional basis, and has been designed to help young people cope with the emerging challenges of the new normal.
18 April 2023 – Programme Operator is publishing the answers to the questions raised by beneficiaries at the Workshop on project reporting for Slovenian beneficiaries, organised by the Control Unit. The workshop for project promoters and project partners implementing projects under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation programme and the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship programme took place on 6 April 2023.
17 April 2023 – The project called Koroška region Youth Support Network (KOR-NET project) addresses two development-related issues in the Koroška region, namely depopulation and brain drain. The project, worth almost half a million euros and funded by Norway Grants, has resulted in opening three workstations to activate young people in the Koroška region and to help them get even more involved in the local environment.
13 KOR-NET workstations for young people in the Koroška region
On Tuesday, 11 April 2023, the first workstation for young people in the Mislinja dolina valley, which is the third KOR-NET workstation for young people, was opened at the premises of the Slovenj Gradec Youth Cultural Centre. At the opening ceremony, the Mayor of Slovenj Gradec, Dr Matija Tasič, said: “If space is a problem, then we don’t have a problem. We want to see more active young people who will promote the youth scene in the municipality.”
Workstations are spaces for young people, which are equipped with computers and offer basic office supplies and materials, and free access to online services, information, printing, etc., which young people need for schoolwork, finding jobs and for job interviews, and areas where friends can work together in realising their numerous creative ideas.
Workstation. Photo: KOR-NET
Viktorija Barbič, representative of the project partner A.L.P PECA, said that “if we want young people to stay in the Koroška region, especially in its rural areas, we have to offer them all the support we can in developing their potential and actively involving them in the local environment.”
The idea to introduce workstations for young people results also from the poorer digital inclusion of young people in the Koroška region, which is more pronounced in rural areas. This is why the KOR-NET project aims to compensate for this shortcoming at least partially by placing the workstations in less dynamic environments where young people need an even stronger impetus.
13 workstations will be set up across the Koroška region. So far, workstations have been opened in Prevalje (at the Community Centre), Ravne na Koroškem (at the Regional Chamber of Craft and Small Business Ravne) and in Slovenj Gradec. By summer, other workstations will open their doors in different, more rural parts of the Koroška region, and thus help to further activate the potential of young people from all three valleys of the Koroška region.
The Koroška region Youth Support Network project (KOR-NET)
The Koroška region Youth Support Network project (KOR-NET) aims to strengthen the support environment for young people in the Koroška region, reduce brain drain and co-create, in cooperation with young people, a quality environment for life and work.
The project aims to give all young people in the Koroška region equal opportunities and a chance to get actively involved and participate in local decision-making, especially on issues that affect them. This will also help young people enter the labour market with more confidence and become more active citizens.
In addition to setting up a total of 13 workstations for young people across the region, the project will also result in setting up the Koroška region virtual youth incubator, in the design of a model for active participation of young people – a set of good practices in the field of youth work, and in organising workshops, camps and networking events for young people to connect with experts, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, etc.
Website of the future Koroška region virtual youth incubator
The project is co-developed by Dravit, which acts at the project promoter and which includes the Dravograd Youth Centre, and the project partners the Koroška Youth Cultural Centre Kompleks, the Slovenj Gradec-based Spotur Institute and the local Youth Cultural Centre Slovenj Gradec. The project also includes representatives of the business sector, namely the Regional Chamber of Craft and Small Business Ravne Ravne na Koroškem, the company A. L. P. PECA and the Norwegian partner Bjerkaker LearningLab.
7 April 2023 – Within the project Heritage School for the New Generations, on Monday, April 3, 2023 and Tuesday, April 4, 2023, a neurological testing was conducted among the 4th grade pupils during art classes at the Ivan Grohar Elementary School in Škofja Loka. The non-invasive testing recorded and compared in an innovative way, the emotional and cognitive response of children while studying regular material according to the existing curriculum versus the new lecture in the field of local cultural heritage.
Through testing, the cognitive response in the perception and processing of stimuli was measured using techniques specific to applied neuroscience to investigate the experiences of a group of pupils during different teaching methods. Information about the lived experience was obtained directly from the pupils, using the so-called electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the electrical activity produced by the brain to obtain information with high temporal precision. The prepared measurements were intended to observe changes at the level of: cognitive load, attention, degree of involvement and perceived well-being during the planned activities.
Neurotesting at Ivan Grohar Primary School in Škofja Loka. Photo: Nejc Vurnik
The testing took place in two parts, the first day was dedicated to testing the children during the regular school hour of art lessons; the second day was dedicated to the implementation of the school lesson according to the curriculum, but enriched with elements of cultural heritage. The experts of the Institute for the protection of cultural heritage of Slovenia have prepared a new teaching lesson for the subject of art lessons in such a way that the content of the lesson was given through the aspect and examples of cultural heritage from the local area. The lesson was prepared on the topic of the habitat of animals throughout the past, which the students interpreted in the field of architecture.
Neurotesting at Ivan Grohar Primary School in Škofja Loka. Photo: Nejc Vurnik
On the first day of testing, Italian neuroscientist Andrea Bariselli explained to the pupils how the brain works, what are the measuring devices and what is being measured. The measurement was completely non-invasive; the devices recorded brain wave responses as was explained to pupils by Andrea Bariselli » measuring is like placing the microphone in the middle of the football stadium«. The topic of how the brain works was very interesting to the children; with great interest, they most often asked what happens to the brain during sleep, do we always dream, why do we wake up at the same time, does the brain sometimes rest, etc. The testing itself took place in an efficient and fun way for the children and did not hinder them from following the lesson, as the main device (EEG) was easily moved between the students. The same testing took place in the month of March with 4th grade students at a primary school in Norway in both outdoors and indoors.
Neurotesting at Ivan Grohar Primary School in Škofja Loka. Photo: Nejc Vurnik
Testing of pupils during pilot implementation of the lesson with elements of cultural heritage was organized within the project Heritage School for the New Generations, funded under the Norway grants, with the participation of the partner organizations; Ivan Grohar Elementary School; Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, University of Primorska – Faculty of Humanities; School Center Škofja Loka – Secondary School of Wood Engineering, Municipality of Škofja Loka, Norwegian partner Magma Geopark AS and the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia acting as the project promoter.
The project, which brings cultural heritage closer not only to pupils, but also to teachers, aims to use a scientific basis to determine the conditions and methods for better understanding and learning of compulsory school curriculum through the inclusion of nature and cultural heritage in lessons. And also, to justify through the testing that learning in this manner is more interesting, meaningful and motivational. This kind of approach also encourages innovative teaching methods that benefit the teacher-student relationship. It improves the quality of education and at the same time directly encourages and contributes to the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage. The inclusion of innovative teaching methods that introduce elements of cultural heritage and traditional skills and knowledge for its renewal, both in the classroom and in nature, can significantly contribute to the improvement of the learning process itself.
3 April 2023 – A press conference on the project Heritage school for new generations was held in the wedding hall of the Municipality of Škofja Loka. The partners of the project presented individual activities, including very interesting neurological testing of children, which is currently taking place at the Ivan Grohar Elementary School in Škofja Loka.
The mayor of Škofja Loka Municipality, Tine Radinja, highlighted the effort that Škofja Loka Municipality invests in both the renovation of buildings and the promotion of cultural heritage. The project Heritage school for new generations is funded by Norway Grants within the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship programme and is worth almost half a million euros. Part of the funds, in the amount of €80,000, is intended for the new installations and renovation of the »Rotovž« a Renaissance building in the Town Square in Škofja Loka. The premises, which have been empty and without purpose for more than 10 years, will acquire new content and purpose in addition to the renovation.
The representative of the project promoter, Mateja Hafner Dolenc from the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia, presented basic information about the Heritage school for new generations. The purpose of the project is to establish an inter-institutional environment and learning practices for a more planned education of young people about cultural heritage and its renewal at the elementary school level. The project is aimed at the development of new teaching practices for the integration of cultural heritage into curricula and programs in primary schools. The project also transfers the good practices of the Norwegian learning system in cooperation with the Norwegian project partner Magma Geopark AS.
Representatives of the project partners presented their work, where the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia and the University of Primorska (Faculty of Humanities) are jointly developing a new innovative method of teaching cultural heritage content with interdisciplinary connections in primary schools. The new programme is being implemented and tested at the Ivan Grohar Elementary School in Škofja Loka. In addition, the school will acquire a permanent display corner for cultural heritage and didactic aids, such as a learning chest, which will be produced and planned in cooperation with the project partner Secondary School of Wood Engineering – School Center Škofja Loka.
Because on Monday, April 3th, and Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, at the Ivan Grohar Elementary School in Škofja Loka, a pilot implementation of new lessons together with neurological testing of children’s emotional and cognitive responses towards cultural heritage teaching took place, the Italian neuroscientist Andrea Bariselli from company Strobilo was able to answer the questions about testing.
Ivan Grohar Primary School in Škofja Loka. Photo: Nejc Vurnik
He pointed out that through neuroscience we can obtain a large amount of data that can be used to improve, understand and predict human experiences and responses. Using an EEG (electroencephalogram) head device, the children were tested for their responses when the cultural heritage is introduced in the school lesson. The study will compare how the children respond during a ordinary school hour and an cultural heritage school hour.
29 March 2023 – Donor States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and Slovenia held the fifth EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 Annual Meeting, which took place in Postojna, Slovenia, to discuss the state of play of individual programmes, and to ensure efficient spending of the funds available under the EEA and Norway Grants.
In his opening address, dr. Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, said that he was delighted that Slovenia had come to a point of fully implementing all projects and programmes planned in the frame of the current funding period. “Indeed, the EEA and Norway Grants, in addition to the available EU cohesion policy funds, make an important source of funding that supports Slovenia’s development. I am convinced that all projects that are currently being implemented will, in the end, make a significant contribution to realising the set objectives and to making positive shifts in the areas that are of strategic importance not only for Slovenia but also beyond our borders. I am convinced that in the years to come, we will further strengthen our cooperation and continue learning from each other,” said Minister Jevšek.
Trine Skymoen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Hungary, thanked everyone for the excellent cooperation and dedication to making the EEA and Norway Grants a success. She pointed out that the two financial mechanisms foster the continuation of fruitful collaboration between Norway and Slovenia. Kristín A. Árnadóttir, Ambassador of Iceland, also thanked everyone for the excellent cooperation and outlined the best practices of the past bilateral cooperation. She presented the areas Iceland believes should be supported in the next financial period.
Presentation of reports and the implementation of programmes
In the first part of the meeting, the Combined Strategic and Annual Report for 2022 was presented. The representative of the Financial Mechanisms Office presented the Active Citizens Fund, the programme Social Dialogue – Decent Work, and two horizontal funds, namely the Fund for Regional Development and the Fund for Youth Employment, underlining the importance of the cooperation of the Slovenian institutions. Programme Operator of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme and the programme Education, Scholarship, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship reported on the implementation of both programmes and projects. The Budget Supervision Office of the Republic of Slovenia presented its work and the Audit Report. The representatives of the Donor States welcomed Slovenia’s progress over the last few months regarding the implementation of projects, inviting Slovenia to continue with the successful performance of projects.
The bilateral initiative Supporting the Green Start-Ups of Tomorrow, implemented in the framework of the Fund for Bilateral Relations by the Primorska Technology Park in cooperation with three Norwegian partners (Oslo Science Park – STARTUPLAB, Insj UIO and Park Hamar – Learning HUB), was also presented. The main long-term goal of the initiative is to find new ways to empower today’s youth to make full use of tomorrow’s opportunities by creating environmentally sustainable and socially responsible jobs.
In the second part of the meeting, three projects were presented. The representatives of the municipality of Postojna presented the local project Predjama Sustainable, which aims to introduce sustainable solutions and arrangements in the field of mobility. Currently, visitors to Predjama cause heavy traffic, which burdens and disturbs the local people and the environment.
The representatives of the Soča Valley Development Centre and the Norwegian partner Viken County Council presented the project ReMOBIL, which focuses on developing a model and testing six regional mobility centres. They also discussed why bilateral cooperation should be encouraged.
Representative of KUD Center 21 presented the project The Guardians of Rivers, which is implemented in the framework of the Active Citizens Fund. The project’s main aim is to increase public awareness about the importance of protecting natural and human environments, especially watercourses, and promote active citizenship in this field.
