Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

The Institute for Improvement of Education of the Republic of Serbia, in close partnership with the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, announced the launch of the dedicated Democratic Culture in Education page on the official National Education Portal. This initiative, led by the Institute for Improvement of Education, represents a significant milestone in Serbia’s ongoing efforts to embed Competences for Democratic Culture (CDC) across its education system.

The newly finalised portal brings together all relevant resources and tools developed since the inception of the Horizontal Facility’s “Quality Education for All” action. Most notably, it integrates advanced AI technology, powered by ChatGPT, to assist teachers of all subjects in generating tailored lesson plans and providing guidance on fostering democratic culture both inside and outside the classroom. This innovative integration is a unique example of CDC promotion and a strong testament to the Serbian Government’s commitment, lead by the Ministry of Education, to sustainable educational reform. The initiative is managed by the Institute for Improvement of Education, further underscoring the sustainability and long-term impact of the action.

This work builds upon the second volume of the Guidelines for Integration of Competences for Democratic Culture, jointly developed by Council of Europe and Institute experts, and overseen by the Ministry of Education. The guidelines include descriptors carefully adapted to the Serbian educational context, ensuring practical relevance and effective implementation in schools across the country.

On the portal, teachers can access detailed guidance on implementing the Council of Europe’s Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture and benefit from AI-powered support that facilitates the creation of lesson plans and school action plans promoting democratic values and critical thinking. Soon, all the educators will be able to explore best practice examples from all over Serbia. This digital innovation enhances teachers’ capacity to design engaging, democratic learning environments while saving valuable preparation time.

The ongoing partnership between the Institute for Improvement of Education and the Council of Europe continues to strengthen democratic practices within Serbian schools. This comprehensive digital platform stands as a landmark achievement in supporting quality education and democratic culture, serving as an inspiring model for other countries.

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”.