The final joint capacity building session for representatives of pedagogical institutions and pilot schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) who are part of the first cycle of the development of resource centers for democratic school culture took place on 29 February 2024 in Banja Luka. The activity was organised in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Quality education for all”.

Participants had a chance to exchange views and experiences regarding activities concerning the dissemination of the Reference Framework on the Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) including capacity building and mentoring for teachers and school staff in nine pilot schools across BiH during the 2023/2024 school year. Additionally, they were briefed on the most recent developments by experts from the Center for educational initiatives “Step by Step” and proMENTE social research who are working closely with the schools to provide capacity building and mentorship with the aim of transforming the schools into resource centers for democratic culture.

The encounter provided all interested sides with the possibility to provide feedback on the results achieved so far, including increased capacities of teachers equipped with practical tools for implementing democratic culture in their respective environments. The next steps of the implementation process aiming to concretely and effectively support the implementation of the Policy recommendations with a Roadmap for improving inclusive education adopted by the education authorities in BiH on all levels were also discussed and agreed.  

The action “Quality education for all” is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.