EIB to invest 65 mln euro in digitalisation of Serbian schools

Schools across Serbia will benefit from modern computer classroom equipment and wireless local area networks, and 50,000 teachers will be trained to improve their digital skills, the EIB said in a statement.

The project is expected to create up to 700 new jobs.

The bank will support Serbia’s national education strategy, upgrade digital capacities in Serbian schools and contribute to economic and productivity growth, youth employability and the advancement of the country’s innovative capacity, it said.

"Finally, schools in advanced phases of digitalisation have proven more efficient in challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU bank is pleased to be able to contribute to a more resilient Serbia, capable of operating efficiently even in the most difficult of times. The EIB looks forward to continuing its support for Serbia and its transition into a digital, sustainable and innovative economy," EIB Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova said in the statement.

This investment is part of the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative and will ensure equal and inclusive access to digital education for pupils in Serbia.

To date, the EIB has invested 50 million euro in the modernisation of Serbian schools, improving the quality of learning conditions for around 28,000 primary and secondary school children in over 200 education facilities in the country. A total of 200 million euro has been invested in reviving Serbia’s research and development sector, creating a long-term platform for scientific development in all major areas.

($ = 0.8429 euro)