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1. Innovation in formal education

2. Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

Innovation in formal education

The teaching curriculum (kuruikulum nastavnog predmeta Tehnička kultura) for primary schools lists the educational policy commitment to innovation; however, the only mention in the curriculum is of technical innovation as a process in teaching technical culture. in the field of technical creativity, in the aspect of technical innovation. The plans and programmes for individual classes have no mention of innovation.

The Strategy of education, science and technology mentions innovation as an important determinant of the education system. A Comprehensive curriculum reform (Cjelovita kurikularna reforma) was proposed, with one of its goals being the development of innovation. None of the proposed measures is specifically aimed at the students’ innovation skills.

The VET System Development programme 2016-2020 lists the following measure in support of innovation:

• Supporting innovation and vocational schools’ projects for boosting capacities and ensuring relevant, creative and contemporary vocational education and training in partnership with companies and the community in general.

The carrier of this measure is the Ministry of Science and Education, while the implementation also involves AMEUP and the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education. The envisioned result is ensuring normative, financial and organizational prerequisites for school, teacher, employee and student participation in projects aimed at the innovation of the different sectors and educational practice.

The Croatian Academic and Research Network CARNet project titled Schools 2.0 is aimed at providing quality and comprehensive distance learning and e-education. The schools were equipped with wireless networks so students and teachers have access to online learning materials, digital textbooks and distance learning. Also, the schools were equipped with scientific learning technologies (sensors) for natural sciences.

The Ministry of Science and Education grants non-refundable funds to associations for projects in the field of extra-institutional education of children and youth, inter alia for encouraging creativity and imagination of children and youth. According to the ministerial decision (Odluka) for the school year 2019/2020 14 projects were awarded a total of 1.504.903,68 HRK in that field.

Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

The Ministry of Science and Education grants non-refundable funds to associations for projects in the field of extra-institutional education of children and youth, inter alia for encouraging creativity and imagination of children and youth. According to the ministerial decision (Odluka) for the school year 2019/2020 14 projects were awarded a total of 1.504.903,68 HRK in that field.

Innovation promotion was launched by a non-governmental association the Institute for Youth Development and Innovativity (IRIM) in cooperation with schools. Their activities promote programming skills and robotics. In 2017, The Ministry of Science and Education, in cooperation with CARNet and the Institute for Youth Development and Innovativity are conducting the project Pro Mikro.The first project step was funded by very successful crowdfunding campaign and IRIM's own resources and the second step by the Ministry of Science and Education. Project goal was to improve digital literacy using micro-computers. The project participants were students in six grades, and it is taking place both in classrooms and in extracurricular activities

The Croatian Association of Innovators has developed a programme to systematically work with young innovators (sustavni rada s mladim inovatorima). The programme encompasses establishing sections of young innovators, participation at national and international exhibitions, and national exhibition for young innovators.

The main part of the Union of Croatian Innovators – INOVA Croatia’s platform is the exhibition INOVA 2020 Special Edition which gives opportunity for inventors worldwide to exhibit their inventions on the second oldest invention show in the world, started in 1971. A part of exhibition called INOVA-YOUTH 2020 is dedicated to young people (INOVA-MLADI 2020).