The rapid development of technology and increased global competitiveness have led to the fact that knowledge has become a key factor of success for both individuals and countries. Throughout Europe, the importance of a highly qualified workforce has been recognized, but so has the danger of early school leaving, which is faced by rural areas. Therefore, UniCredit Bank in Serbia is also focused on the goal of making education the main postulate of the social impact of companies.
The Bank strives to ensure that no child is held back by their socio-economic background and that equal opportunities for education are available to everyone. By strengthening educational institutions, connecting the economy and formal education, UniCredit motivates students to apply knowledge in a practical way, use their talents and skills, and continuously develop during their schooling.
Nikola Vuletić, Chairman of the Executive Board of UniCredit Bank, emphasizes: “Investing in education is an investment in the future of our community. It is not only socially responsible, but also a smart business decision. Qualified personnel are key to the success of the entire economy, and by investing in education, we ensure that future generations have the skills needed for the demanding labor market. Taking all this into account, one of the basic postulates of our bank’s business is education. We actively cooperate with numerous institutions in order to align educational programs with the strategic goals of the country’s progress. We believe that in this way we create synergy that will benefit our country.”
Through various projects, UniCredit Bank and UniCredit Foundation motivate young people to “unlock their potential” and develop themselves. The future is built in classrooms, and teachers are the ones who manage it. Support for the education system begins with empowering teachers by providing them with all the tools they need to be the best possible educators, so that they can always provide added value to their work with students.
UniCredit Foundation
The UniCredit Foundation, with the support of UniCredit Bank, aims to further strengthen the local community and build a more inclusive school environment that offers quality education for all children in Serbia, through projects implemented in partnership with various organizations
In just one year, through the “RePower Your Future” project, which the Foundation implements in cooperation with the organization Junior Achievement in Serbia, 3,481 students have been impacted through empowerment and education in 190 high schools in various programs: Business Challenge competitions, Student Company program, Special Challenge competition, Business Ethics program.
Through a three-year project launched this year, “I am a Teacher Too: Learning Communities as Support for Teacher Identity”, which will be implemented by a team of teachers and researchers from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, it will contribute to solving numerous challenges in the education system in Serbia, in particular strengthening the professional identity, autonomy and well-being of teachers through the creation of “learning communities” in schools. This project will involve more than 600 teachers and more than 15,000 of their students in 60 primary schools from different parts of Serbia. Of these, more than 300 teachers will be directly involved in a one-year support program for the development of relevant competencies, with the aim of improving their well-being, the quality of teaching and the functioning of the school as a proactive learning community.
Over the next five years, through cooperation with the Teach for All organization in Serbia, the plan is to impact more than 10,000 students in less developed regions of Serbia through a network of 100 motivated and dedicated edu-innovators (teachers), with the aim of developing the skills needed for collective and individual action in their communities.
Through a partnership with the “Education Group” consisting of the Nordeus Foundation, the Center for the Promotion of Science, the Digital Serbia Initiative and Youth Achievements in Serbia, UniCredit employees were engaged as mentors in the Financial Literacy program, which last year included more than 1,500 students from 47 high schools in Serbia.
UniCredit Bank in Serbia
As a key partner of the Galaxy Cup program, in partnership with the Nordeus Foundation, UniCredit Bank will open an opportunity for school communities to become part of a comprehensive educational movement that supports innovation and creativity in young people through competitions and specific projects of technological innovations. Namely, this program allows teachers and students of electrical engineering schools from all over the country to connect with peers, experts and industry leaders, providing them with invaluable experience that will motivate them to continue their professional development and contribute to society through innovation.
The bank awarded scholarships to the Veljko Petrović High School Foundation in Sombor for the best Sombor high school students, while also supporting the organization of students’ participation in international competitions (Physics Olympiads) of the Mathematical High School in Belgrade.
The bank’s financial support is also aimed at the activities of the Youth Forum with Disabilities, through activities for the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, advocacy and promotion of human rights, through the establishment of intersectoral partnerships, and the building and strengthening of necessary human and other resources and capacities.
Through the “Happy Cash Loan” competition, the Music School in Niš was equipped with new instruments. At the same time, UniCredit Bank has been renovating the interior and improving the working environment in primary and secondary schools across Serbia for years, and in the past year it supported the “Milan Ilić Čiča” Elementary School in Aranđelovac, the “Vuk Karadžić” Elementary School in Ćuprija, the “Carica Jelena” Elementary and Secondary School in Niš, as well as the Bubanj Special School with a Dormitory.
Additionally, in cooperation with the AFA Association (Association for the Affirmation of Women’s Potential), the MOGIS Program was implemented to empower girls to engage in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. One of the goals of the project is to bring together and connect a larger number of girls and young women, as well as to reduce the gender gap in technological professions and promote positive role models through a network of mentors from institutions and companies.
Serbia is facing a widespread shortage of teachers in education, which affects the distribution of quality teachers. As a result, rural schools are often closed, and children are transferred to urban and suburban schools. UniCredit Bank, in cooperation with UniCredit Group, supported the establishment of Teach for All in Serbia, as well as their joining the global Teach For All network, in order to influence changes in the country’s education system and ensure access to quality education for all children through the empowerment of teachers.
As we continue to empower our communities to thrive, we strive to provide the necessary support to further strengthen the local education system and unlock the potential of Serbia’s next generation.