ENGAGEMENT

ENGAGEMENT – Supporting the engagement of business & education of IT-AL-ME SMSs in a crossborder perspective is a project funded by the European Union under the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme 2021-2027.

Main Goals

The project aims to strengthen connections between business and education system by identifying the cultural, social, and legal barriers that make difficult for South Adriatic small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in European Qualifications Framework (EQF) 5 level courses. These courses are characterized by a close cooperation of companies in designing and implementing training programs.

Project Partners

• Lead Partner – Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tirana (Albania)
•  Partner – Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (Montenegro)
• Partner – Ministry of Economic Development (Montenegro)
• Partner – ITS Academy “Antonio Cuccovillo” Foundation (Italy)

Project main activities – Expected output/results

By developing a Joint Action Plan, the project offers policy recommendations aimed at increasingly encouraging close collaboration between companies and education systems. It also seeks to promote SME involvement in the design, delivery, and certification of training programs. This approach will enhance SME competitiveness, improve workforce skills, reduce school-to-work transition costs, and create more attractive job opportunities for young people, encouraging them to stay in their home countries. Through the organization of three Capacity Building Seminars and the distribution of customized questionnaires to a selected sample of companies in Albania, Montenegro, and Italy, experts will identify what SMEs need to participate more actively in business-education cooperation partnerships.

Contacts

Aris Tasho – Director Project Department – Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tirana: aris_tasho@cci.al
Stefan Jovanovic – Project Department Chamber of Economy of Montenegro: sjovanovic@pkcg.org
Ivana Zecevic – Head of the Directorate for the Development of SME’s Ministry of Economic Development: ivana.zecevic@mek.gov.me
Annamaria Patella – Head of International Department ITS Cuccovillo: a.patella@itsmeccatronicapuglia.it