January 1, 2021 – The year 2020 was the most difficult for many, especially for children. With Croatian Makers, the largest extracurricular STEM program in Europe, the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation made a special effort to make up for at least part of what children lost.

The Institute for Youth Development and Innovation (IRIM) is the largest non-state educational program in the EU that helps children realize their potential and be equal citizens of the 21st century.

Launched in Croatia, IRIM primarily operates there but has also expanded its activities to Serbia, BiH, and Kosovo. It focuses on the development of digital and scientific literacy and technological and other competencies within the STEM area for young people.

This year, the challenge was all the greater because they had to pay special attention to the heavy workload and stress to which were exposed the project participants – children and youth. TCN brings their 2020 review by topic below.

Croatian Makers Robotics League

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

Robotic League is the first major IRIM project which began in the 2015/16 school year. The goal is to broadly involve robotics, automation, and programming in primary school education.

They have included more than 600 schools and non-profit organizations and donated 3,000 mBot robots (5 per institution). In each of them, they educated at least one mentor free of charge so that he could work with children.

Despite the pandemic and the introduction of online classes, IRIM managed to hold as many as three of the planned four rounds. The League's principle is regularity and locality, not a one-time competition for the best. In this way, they achieve equal opportunity and better integration into children's education.

They plan to hold three rounds of the League this school year. All Croatian Makers League's institutions can participate despite the pandemic. They have adjusted the competition, and all activities are online. This school year, the competition's theme is the exploration of the planets and the robot's return to Earth, as a continuation of the past year in which the robot embarked on a space journey.

Digital Citizen 2.0

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

In February, they continued the Digital Citizen 2.0 project, a collaboration with Google.org that supported it with an additional 400,000 dollars. The project's goal is to develop digital skills in libraries, transforming public libraries into digital innovation and education centers.

They do this with technologies such as microcomputers, robots, and 3D printers. They make modern educational technology accessible to adults and children, which will enable the introduction of digital skills in local communities.

The project is international, funded by Google.org, and takes place in 170 libraries in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo.

In August and September, they held 100 workshops (one in each library in the project in Croatia) where they donated micro:Maqueen robots to libraries and educated librarians on this equipment.

New educational web portal

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

During the summer, they released a new and improved "Izradi!" educational web portal. As before, users can educate for free about using the technologies they use, but with greater interactivity.

Users also have access to a system of courses that guide them by learning about technologies and making it fun. In the end, they receive certificates with learning outcomes and acquired knowledge. The portal is adapted for children and adults, and by participating in the courses, users can also win "maker "badges.

Prize competition

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

At the beginning of December, they opened two "Borrow, make, conquer "creative competitions. All interested can participate, regardless of age, education, and prior knowledge of programming, device making, and 'tinkering.'

The competition lasts until February 1, 2021, and the applications are still open. The main prize is a Prusa Mini 3D printer.

Digital Libraries for Local Development

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

This project aims to strengthen libraries in Croatia and Switzerland. The goal is for them to become centers for the acquisition of STEM knowledge and digital competencies. The project uses a 'crowdsourced' network of devices for measuring atmospheric variables, which is free and publicly available in libraries.

They held two educational cycles of workshops around Croatia in which IRIM educators visited each library on two occasions. The first time by donating handbooks with a short introductory education, and the second time with the donation of AQ:bits and education.

AQ: bit is a device designed by IRIM educators that can be used to measure atmospheric variables (concentration of micro-particles in the air, humidity, pressure, temperature) and are intended as an educational supplement for micro:bit.

Within the project, they held 200 workshops and issued two handbooks as well.

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

Generation NOW

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

For several years now, IRIM has been implementing projects in partnership with Hrvatski Telekom. The aim is to introduce Internet of Things technologies in schools and associations throughout Croatia.

The goal is to connect existing and new knowledge in the use of Internet of Things technology, develop creativity, innovation, and create an opportunity for children to implement IoT projects from concept to finished model.

In the school year 2019/20., they included 110 institutions in the project and 2020/21—75 of them. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the project will be extended for another year to allow all participants to create imaginary projects, present them in the final competition, and win valuable prizes.

Coronavirus pandemic and IRIM

Source: IRIM/Croatian Makers

When they found themselves in a situation where everyday work and activities were no longer possible, they decided to join the Croatian Student Union's initiative to produce protective visors.

In just a few days, with partners and associates, they managed to organize and ensure protective visors' production. In the end, they donated 6,500 protective visors, which covered the initial needs of hospitals.

To read more news from Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 12, 2020 - TCN catches up with Liza Belozerova from Google.org to discuss the exciting partner with IRIM bringing digital hope and change to Croatia's libraries.

With so much bad news around in Croatia and elsewhere, it is sometimes hard to see the positives. But if you look a little deeper than the surface negativity in Croatia, there are plenty of very exciting things going on. 

Among them is the STEM revolution, which is being spearheaded by leading Croatian entrepreneur, Nenad Bakic. Along with Mate Rimac, Bakic was named by the Financial Times as one of Europe's top 100 digital champions, and he has been putting part of his considerable energies into STEM projects to equip children from schools in Croatia and the wider region with the digital skills necessary for the future. 

The Institute for Youth Development and Innovativity (IRIM) is a Croatia-based non-profit organization (private foundation), which has developed and implements the largest extracurricular STEM program in EU – the Croatian Makers movement, encompassing now over 150,000 children in Croatia. Although IRIM originates from, and primarily operates in, Croatia, it has transposed its activities to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, where IRIM and local partners deliver IRIM-designed major projects (with initial funding from IRIM), reaching tens of thousands more children. Some programs are joint regional activities. Such cross-border co-operation is of utmost significance in the region which still suffers consequences stemming from the conflicts in the 1990s. You can learn more about IRIM on the official website. 

IRIM's work was noticed by Google.org, and the two joined forces in 2018 for an initial partnership worth $250,000 to expand a programme in Croatia's libraries, whereby IRIM would promote digital skills in libraries through workshops, librarian training, equipment and events. More than 1,500 workshops were conducted by librarians, and over 13,000 people took part, as Rujana Bakic explained in an earlier article on TCN (you can also see Rujana's interview with TCN below. 

Last month Liza Belozerova from Google.org was in Zagreb to present the next phase of the IRIM project, as well as announcing a second-phase funding of $400,000 for IRIM and its digital library project, as reported on TCN at the time. 

Liza was kind enough to spare a few minutes after the event for a video interview with TCN, in which she talked about the project, as well as offering some thoughts on digital Croatia in general. Thank you. 

February 23, 2020 - As Google.org announces a second $400,000 for the Croatian Makers IRIM project, TCN talks to Rujana Bakic on empowering libraries and Croatian Digital Citizen 2.0. 

I have a very romantic notion of Croatian libraries. When I entered my first Croatian library back in August 2002 in Jelsa, there she was - a beautiful blonde assistant librarian with eyes the colour of the Adriatic. 18 years later, she is sitting across the room from me, preparing a presentation for me for a conference speech, my wife of more than 13 years. 

Back then, in 2002, we had a daily routine. As the library was the only place with public internet on her computer, she had to make it available for paying users, such as myself. And so our friendship started. 

Romance aside, one ageing desktop with eternally slow internet did not leave me with a lasting impression that Croatian libraries were a potential foundation pillar of digital change in Croatia. But, as with many things in Croatia, with the will and determination of a few good men and women, mountains can be moved. 

One of the most exciting projects in Croatia today, planting digital seeds for future and current generations is taking hold not only in Croatia but all over the region, led by Nenad and Rujana Bakic and described thus on the official website:

IRIM (Institute for Youth Development and Innovativity) is a Croatia-based non-profit organization (private foundation), which has developed and implements the largest extracurricular STEM program in EU – the Croatian Makers movement, encompassing now over 150,000 children in Croatia. Although IRIM originates from, and primarily operates in, Croatia, it has transposed its activities to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, where IRIM and local partners deliver IRIM-designed major projects (with initial funding from IRIM), reaching tens of thousands more children. Some programs are joint regional activities. Such cross-border co-operation is of utmost significance in the region which still suffers consequences stemming from the conflicts in the 1990s.

IRIM donates a large amount of equipment, but only as a foundation for wide and deep knowledge distribution using that equipment, through organized activities, teacher education (more than 3,000 teachers educated only in Croatia), content development etc.

The initial and still the core financing comes from local philanthropists, the Bakić family, but due to developing size and scope of its activities it has lately been attracting additional financing from external sources, including citizens (through public crowdfunding campaigns and general donations), companies, national and EU development funds. At the moment, IRIM employs 10 people, but has developed a strong ecosystem of educators ('ambassadors') and rich content platforms, enabling it to leverage its activities. 

Partnering with Google.org who dispersed an initial grant of $250,000 to IRIM back in 2018, Nenad and Rujana Bakic and the IRIM team have been focusing part of their efforts on transforming Croatian libraries from static and disconnected buildings which store books for hire to places of learning, innovation and empowerment. Apart from donating equipment, the project - which last week received an addition $400,000 grant from Google for the next year - is also heavily focused on education, training and workshops, empowering librarians with new digital skills to assist their library users.  

Empowered and well-trained librarians at the local level are in a great position to assist the local community and develop skills for the future - for all generations - and there have been more than 1,500 workshops just for librarians so far. 

More than 13,000 people of all ages have taken part in the project, taking advantage of the technology, expertise and equipment donated to the libraries by IRIM. 

The project is ambitious and is expanding rapidly, with greater 3D printer availability and the world's first 'makerspaces' in libraries in the world coming to Croatia soon. 

Rujana Bakic was among the speakers at this week's gathering at HAZU in Zagreb, hosted by Google.org and IRIM, which was attended by the US Ambassador to Croatia, Robert Kohorrst. Rujana hosted a panel talking to librarians and end users on their real-life experiences the IRIM library services. 

I am grateful that she found the time to explain the project to us in greater detail on camera in perfect English, and with great passion. 

Thank you both, and the entire IRIM team, for this fantastic initiative. Idemo dalje!

ZAGREB, November 25, 2018 - The Institute for Youth Development and Innovativity (IRIM) has received 250,000 dollars 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, the founder of IRIM, Nenad Bakić, said at a presentation of IRIM's latest project.

The IRIM projects aims 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 said.

IRIM or Croatian Makers is a privately financed initiative developing and deploying a "layered family of platforms" for STEM initiatives in school.

Bakić explained that Google's support will help significantly expand IRIM's concept of transforming libraries into public learning spaces for new technologies, but also as digital innovation centres.

Part of Google's mission in Croatia is to make digital technology accessible to everyone, Google's manager for the Adriatic region Joško Mrndže said. 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, he added.

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.

Minister of Science and Technology Blaženka Divjak underscored that the digital citizen project enables the wider community to develop digital skills, which she added is of exceptional importance and significance for the fourth industrial revolution.

Economy Minister Darko Horvat underlined that 2019 would be the year of digital transformation and announced the digitisation of public procurement and the compulsory issuance and receipt of e-invoices for local and central budget beneficiaries.

Horvat announced that as of 1 April citizens will be able to start a business online. He added that doing business would be made easier for entrepreneurs and could save about 640 million kuna. The minister underlined that doing away with some administrative procedures, about two billion kuna could be saved in the next three years.

For more on the Croatian Makers project, click here.

March 14, 2018 - We're starting a new series dedicated to Croatia's best and brightest: young innovative minds shining as beacons of hope in a country that's doing its best to intentionally block all attempts at progress and development. From talented elementary school pupils to young entrepreneurs, from world championship winners to exceptional startups, we'll be sharing inspiring stories to show our society just might have a shot at rising above the discouraging state of affairs. Starting with a story of a remarkable initiative from Primošten which took two kids from an elementary school class to the world championship in robotics in China

Telegram brings a detailed story about how Nenad Bakić brought STEM revolution to Croatian schools.

STEM Car will be travelling through Slavonia for two weeks, offering free robotics and programming workshops.