Understanding the context and driving goals behind the RAISE initiative.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems in the Western Balkans face significant challenges in keeping pace with rapid technological and green transitions. Montenegro and Albania, as EU candidate countries, are aligning their education systems with European standards — but gaps remain in digital infrastructure, teacher competences, and sustainable learning environments.
RAISE responds directly to these challenges by bringing together seven institutions from Belgium, Spain, Montenegro and Albania to co-develop practical solutions: teacher training programmes, Showroom Lab spaces, and digital tools grounded in extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), and IoT.
The project is coordinated by the EWF – European Welding Federation — a leading European organisation with deep expertise in VET quality and innovation — ensuring strong connections to best practices across the EU.
RAISE has three core objectives that shape every activity and deliverable across the project.
Introduce modern and innovative pedagogical methods to VET teachers and training managers in Montenegro and Albania, equipping them with the skills to deliver future-ready education.
Bring XR (extended reality), AI tools, and IoT systems into the VET classroom — making teaching more experiential, interactive and aligned with modern labour market demands.
Establish the "Showroom Lab" concept — combining modern classroom design, digital tools, and sustainability principles — to create lasting, high-quality learning environments in partner schools.