The Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) actively participates in the Erasmus+ EMERALD project, “Empowering Migrant Workers for a Sustainable Future: Upskilling and Reskilling for Green and Digital Jobs”, within which four key Reskilling Lab meetings have been held in Croatia to date. The project aims to train and integrate migrant workers through programs tailored to labor market needs, with a focus on green and digital skills.
At the first meeting (October 2025), partners defined the activities and objectives of the training programs. It was concluded that the curricula should be based on an analysis of labor market needs in Croatia and the experiences of the participating organizations. It was agreed that the working group would consist of at least five permanent members, with the possibility of additional partners joining as needed. At the second meeting (November 2026), new members joined, including Obrtničko Učilište and Okviri Znanja. Discussions focused on aligning the programs with the Croatian Qualifications Framework and integrating basic Croatian language instruction. Emphasis was placed on developing green skills for the construction, tourism, and hospitality sectors, while also considering relevant digital competencies. The third meeting (January 2026) marked the inclusion of additional key partners, including the NGO SVOJA and the vegan restaurant Biomania. It was highlighted that training must be directly linked to employment. A hybrid learning model was discussed, emphasizing the importance of soft skills development and Croatian language learning. At the fourth meeting (March 2026), two final training programs were presented: Photovoltaic System Installation and Organic Vegetable Cultivation. These programs were developed based on actual labor market needs and participant interests. The program structure and conditions were agreed upon, including online theoretical instruction, practical training across Croatia, and additional Croatian language lessons. The training is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with a minimum of 12 participants per program.
The EMERALD project is funded by the Erasmus+ EU program with a grant of EUR 862,673 and runs from April 2025 to September 2027. Its goal is to strengthen social inclusion and promote employment opportunities for migrant workers in Croatia.
More information about the project is available at: https://irmo.hr/projects/empowering-migrant-workers-for-a-sustainable-future-upskilling-and-reskilling-for-green-and-digital-jobs-emerald/
