Croatian Makers

IRIM (Croatian Makers) core mission is to empower all children in Croatia and the region to develop STEM competencies necessary for them to be equal citizens of 21st century, by providing not only equipment, but also education and other activities.
IRIM’s strong capacity for partnerships and a wide national/public support adds significantly to its success. For example, a project called STEM Revolution was primarily financed by the largest-ever crowdfunding campaign in Croatia, topping over 300,000 USD donated by more than 2,500 individuals and organizations. More than 25,000 coding devices were delivered to more than 1,000 educational institutions including schools, universities, NGOs, orphanages etc., together with extensive teach-the-teacher workshops and developing content.
Following STEM Revolution’s unique success, IRIM partnered with the Ministry of Science and Education in introducing coding to Croatian schools, delivering coding devices micro:bit to all Grade 6 pupils, developing cross-subject content, and educating over 2,000 teachers. Other significant partners in the project include Croatian Employers Association, Rotary clubs, and a number of corporations like Croatian Telecom, Croatian Post, Tele2, INA – Croatian national oil company, etc. Additionally IRIM has successfully applied to a number of national and EU grants.
They have received 250,000 USD from Google for projects aimed at introducing digital technology skills for children and adults through public libraries in the local community as well as stimulating libraries to become digital innovation centres.

Context: According to European Commission data, 44% of the EU's population and 37% of the labour force doesn't have a sufficiently developed knowledge of digital skills. In the next 10 to 15 years, automation will change working environments and create 21 million new jobs; 90% of these jobs will require at least some level of digital skills.
The IRIM projects aim to empower public libraries to become centres for developing digital competencies in local communities and will include libraries in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, Bakić.

Stakeholders involved: Local philanthropists, the Bakić family
The Institute for Youth Development and Innovativity (IRIM)
Public libraries
Google

Key learning points: NEI

Evaluation: Yes

Information sources: https://www.total-croatia-news.com/made-in-croatia/32626-digital-technology-skills

Read the full analysis: https://croatianmakers.hr/en/home/