The Number of Shortlisted Applicants - The 4th Call for EoI

The Regional Challenge Fund in the Western Balkans 6 held its Fourth Call for Expressions of Interest until June 6th, 2025, at 23:59 (CET).
The call encouraged applications from consortia of vocational training institutes and enterprises from WB6 economies, implementing cooperative VET courses that lead to nationally recognized certificates.

During its Fourth Open Call, the RCF received 187 applications from all six Western Balkan economies.

Based on the predefined eligibility criteria and the availability of funds for the Fourth Call, the selection panel has shortlisted 86 applicants to proceed to the next stage of developing full project proposals.

The majority of shortlisted vocational training institutes come from the public sector, accounting for 71% of all selected VTIs. Private institutions represent 29% of the shortlisted VTIs, showing that while they play an important role in the development of cooperative training programs, public institutions remain the dominant drivers in this process from a regional perspective.

Most of the shortlisted VTIs are active in mechanical engineering and metalworking, electrical engineering and information and communication technologies, reflecting the growing demand for technical and digital skills. Sectors such as tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food processing, as well as health and social care are also strongly represented, while fields like natural sciences, traffic and the textile industry are also present, indicating opportunities for growth and diversification in the regional VET landscape. This distribution highlights the economic priorities and skill needs across the Western Balkans 6.

Secondary vocational schools are the most represented among leading applicants, with a total of 45 shortlisted institutions. They are followed by universities and vocational training centers, while academies and mixed schools show a moderate share. These figures confirm that secondary vocational schools are the main drivers of cooperative and dual VET programs in the region.

The RCF also encourages applicants who were not shortlisted to use the feedback provided to strengthen their proposals and re-apply for support in the upcoming calls.