Partnership with UNICEF
Nelt Group and UNICEF signed an agreement in 2024 under which Nelt committed to helping UNICEF ensure that as many children as possible gain access to quality education and 21st-century skills. The support focuses on relevant programs that improve young people’s access to quality education, as well as digital and environmental skills, in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the period 2024-2027, and in Angola from December 2025 to December 2026. All programs are implemented in cooperation with and with the support of the governments of these countries.
This partnership represents a strong example of synergy between the private sector, public institutions, and non-profit organizations – leveraging the core competencies and expertise of each partner, combining resources and technical knowledge, and applying innovative solutions in program implementation. It is designed to build on the commitment of ministries of education to advancing digital learning and students’ digital competencies, while also preventing the widening of the digital divide, and utilizing Nelt’s ICT resources and know-how alongside UNICEF’s expertise in child rights.
With an investment of 1.3 million USD for the 2024- 2026 period, this is also the most extensive collaboration between UNICEF and a company from Serbia and the region.
- Serbia – 15,000 children and youth from 30 schools will be empowered with enhanced digital skills crucial for their future success
- North Macedonia – 500 students will improve their employability, while 8,100 students will acquire key “green” skills essential for sustainable development
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – 5,000 students will develop key skills needed for the 21st century, preparing them for future challenges
- Angola – During 2026, 1,000 young people, including 50% girls, will develop digital, entrepreneurial, and 21st-century skills through mentorship support, innovative tools, and the development of solutions applicable in their local communities.
AWARDS
Nelt Group is the recipient of the 18th Virtus Award for Philanthropy, presented by the Trag Foundation for 2024, in the category “Strategic Partnership Between the Business and Nonprofit Sectors” for its cooperation with UNICEF.
Nelt Group is the recipient of the “Sustainability Champion” award, presented by the Forum for Responsible Business, for the project “Strategic Partnership with UNICEF for Empowering Children and Youth in the 21st Century,” which contributes to the development of employability and entrepreneurial skills.
Project Title
Enhancing Access to 21st Century Skills
Overall Objective
The overall objective of the initiative is to build digital capacities in 30 schools through school-based digital technology libraries and learning clubs, reaching 15,000 children, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups.
Specific Objectives
Specific Objective 1: Improve 21st century skills for 15,000 students (including 1,000 from the most vulnerable groups)
Specific Objective 2: Strengthen 30 schools to become digitally competent organizations (300 teachers trained and supported by 20 mentors for digital learning and educational technologies)
Specific Objective 3: Improve the open educational resources platform for schools on the National Education Portal
Target Groups
Students (with a focus on vulnerable groups)
Teachers, school management, pedagogues, and psychologists
Duration
May 2024 – May 2027
Location
Serbia
Outputs/Results
- 15,000 children in 30 schools reached through the 21st century skills program (including 1,000 from vulnerable groups)
- At least 300 teachers in 30 schools completed additional online training to improve competencies in supporting students’ 21st century skills development
- 20 mentors for digital learning and educational technologies strengthened to provide support to schools
- Improved open educational resources platform for teachers on the National Education Portal
Outcome
The expected outcome is that 15,000 children in 30 schools improve their 21st century competencies, while the education system is strengthened to support schools in the digitalization process.
Partners
- Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia
- Institute for Education Quality and Evaluation
- Institute for the Improvement of Education
- Schools
- Academic community and experts
- Civil society organizations
- Media
Project Title
TransformED: Building Pathways to 21st Century Skills through Digital Transformation in Education
Overall Objective
To strengthen the ecosystem for the effective development of skills and digital transformation of education systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Specific Objectives
Specific Objective 1: Demonstrate the benefits of technology-supported learning for developing 21st century skills
Specific Objective 2: Enable cross-sector partnerships for digital transformation in education
Specific Objective 3: Develop an enabling regulatory and strategic framework for digital transformation in education
Target Groups
Teachers and students in primary and secondary education
Primary and secondary schools
Education authorities
General public
Duration
April 2024 – March 2027
Outputs/Results
- Work-based learning methodology using e-waste (electronic waste) for STEM implemented in 10 schools
- Best practices in technology-supported learning identified
- Guidelines for e-waste management in schools developed and adopted
- A prioritized list of assistive technologies and systems developed and adopted in one selected administrative uni
- Accredited course for inclusive education, adapted for pre-university education staff and digitalized
- Tools for assessing school capacity for learning in the digital age piloted
- Digital competency frameworks for teachers and students in pre-university education developed and adopted
- Roadmap for the digital transformation of education systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina developed and adopted
Outcome
More than 5,000 children have improved their 21st century skills, while educational institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the evidence and enhanced capacities to introduce digital transformation and effectively deliver quality and inclusive education.
Project Partners
- Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- UNESCO Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Education authorities from selected administrative units
- University of Sarajevo
Project Title
Empowering Students through Work-Based Learning and Climate Education
Overall Objective
The overall objective is to enhance the skills of 500 vocational education and training (VET) students from 20 schools through the organization of practical training (work-based learning) and summer internships, as well as to improve green skills among more than 8,100 VET students.
Specific Objectives
Specific Objective 1: Create opportunities for practical training in scientific institutions contributing to climate resilience and environmental protection
Specific Objective 2: Strengthen the network of experts and their capacities to organize practical training for VET students
Specific Objective 3: Revise VET curricula to integrate green skills necessary for the transition to a green economy
Target Groups
Vocational education and training (VET) students
Teachers in VET schools
Staff of the Experiential Learning Network – a network of six scientific institutions
Duration
May 2024 – May 2027
Outputs/Results
- At least 150 experts from the Experiential Learning Network (and other public scientific institutions) trained to mentor students during practical training and work-based learning
- At least 500 VET students directly involved in practical training and/or work-based learning within the Experiential Learning Network
- At least 15 VET curricula revised to integrate green skills, increasing the number of students with improved green competencies
Outcome
The expected outcome is that 500 students gain substantial practical experience and improve their employability, while more than 8,100 students develop green skills necessary for the transition to a sustainable economy.
Partners
- Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia
- VET Centre (Centre for Vocational Education and Training)
- Secondary vocational schools
- Experiential Learning Network
- Civil society organizations
- Media
Project Title
TransformED: Geração Digital – Empowering Youth with 21st Century Skills through Digital Innovation
Overall Objective
Empower young people in Angola to become drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship through the development of digital, entrepreneurial, and 21st century skills, contributing to inclusive socio-economic development.
Specific Objectives
Specific Objective 1: Develop digital, entrepreneurial, and 21st century skills among 1,000 young people through mentorship, training, and innovation tools
Specific Objective 2: Promote innovation and partnerships through the organization of a national youth and entrepreneurship fair
Specific Objective 3: Support the incubation and scaling of youth-led innovative solutions through structured mentorship and innovation support
Target Groups
Young people aged 14 to 24 (at least 50% girls)
Youth from vulnerable groups (low-income households, rural areas, persons with disabilities)
Educational institutions and youth organizations
Wider community and local innovation ecosystem
Duration
December 2025 – December 2026
Outputs/Results
- At least 1,000 young people develop digital, entrepreneurial, and 21st century skills through training and mentorship programmes
- One national youth and entrepreneurship fair organized to promote innovation and networking
- At least 10 youth-led innovative solutions incubated and supported for scaling
- Improved employability of young people through the development of labour market–relevant competencies
- Increased readiness of young people for entrepreneurship and launching their own initiatives
- Vulnerable groups empowered through access to knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities
- Strengthened local innovation ecosystem through multi-stakeholder collaboration
- Youth promoted as agents of change and role models in their communities
Outcome
Young people in Angola are empowered as drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship, developing sustainable solutions to local challenges and contributing to long-term human capital development, economic inclusion, and social cohesion.
Project Partners
- Embassy of Serbia in Angola
- Nelt Angola
- Ministry of Education of Angola
- Ministry of Youth and Sports of Angola
- Academia and experts
- Civil society organizations
- Global and local media
- Private sector
- ImaGen Venture (UNICEF HQ)