Programme:	European Union CARDS 2002.
Project Duration:	18 months – October 2004-April 2006
Implementation:	Consortium of BBJ Consult AG (Germany) – Consortium Leader Aarhus Technical College (Denmark) Employment Service of Slovenia

The project will be implemented in the counties of Zadar, Šibenik-Knin, Sisak-Moslavina and Vukovar-Srijem. The project beneficiary and main partner is the Croatian Employment Service (CES).

The Overall Objective of the project consists of an increase of the relevance of VET provision to the current and projected labour market needs and a considerable reduction of unemployment.

The Specific Objective consists of the provision of a contribution to the implementation of regional development goals, as outlined in the Regional Operational Programmes (ROP) by appropriate human resource development (HRD) measures.

That means the establishment and promotion of a structure in each project region - consisting of local partners - which is capable of designing, applying, managing and monitoring HRD projects and measures according EU standards and in line with the National Employment Strategy.    

The following Project Results will be expected:

1. Labour market knowledge at county level is improved

Output:

• High quality labour market surveys

2. The ability to foster HRD at county level is increased

Output:

• High quality HRD plans have been drawn up and a strategy for setting up a sustainable Regional HRD Council (new structure to coordinate and manage HRD/ESF in a region in the future), based on public-private-partnership principles, is agreed

3.  Awareness of European Social Fund (ESF) principles and mechanisms is raised in all 4 counties

Output:

• Local partnerships are formed in each county and their members are properly trained in ESF principles and mechanisms 

4. Unemployment rate at county level is reduced

Output:

• Active labour market measures through local partnership projects in all 4 counties have been designed and successfully implemented.

5. Awareness of ESF rules and procedures is raised among HRD regional policy actors

Output:

·      Handouts / guidelines on the ESF and its implementation rules and procedures have been produced and printed, in Croatian language, for use by

(i)   national-level actors,
(ii)  regional planners & administrators, and
(iii) Project promoters.

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Last updated: February 7, 2005.