Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

The FLEXITRAIN project aims at integrating early school leavers into the labour market through developing, testing and rolling out novel, flexible disadvantage compensation training methods in the Danube Region. Early school leaving remains a substantial challenge for education policy makers in Europe. According to Eurostat, the average rate of early school leavers decreased steadily in the past 10 years from 13% in 2022 to 9,6% in 2022 with significant differences and performance among member states. Remarkably, the Danube Region includes countries with the highest and lowest dropout rates but not with the typical pattern seen in many other fields of economy and society. Starting from a transregional analysis and benchmarking, the partnership will identify underlying reasons for early school leaving. The transnational benchmarking will also help select vocational training tools/methods that can form the base for the FLEXITRAIN toolbox. This toolbox will be jointly developed, tested and introduced by the partnership. Partners will run pilots in each region with new and/or upgraded flexible vocations tools, methodologies. The project aims at rolling out its jointly developed solution through dissemination, through initiating changes in institutional settings and taking its results to vocational centres in partner regions. This will be faciliated by our Joint Strategy and Action Plan. The expected change is tested, introduced and upscaled new and/or upgraded flexible learning paths in vocational training centres that contribute to reduced dropout rates in the Danube Region. The FLEXITRAIN partnership is composed of 11 partners and 12 ASPs from 9 countries of the Danube Region. The coverage in terms of geography is strong and offers excellent opportunities to have analysis results and develop a joint solution that holds relevance overall in the Danube Region. The consortium includes 4 NGOS, 3 training centres, 1 national public authority, 1 chamber of commerce, 1 university and 1 employment centre, which is further enriched by our ASPs.

Expected Achievements (EN):

The FLEXITRAIN project aims at improving institutional conditions, legal framework and methodological approaches to prevent early school leaving in the Danube region through analysis, benchmarking and defining a Joint Strategy The partnership aims at developing, testing and adopting the FLEXITRAIN toolbox, a jointly developed solution to keep youngsters in vocational training in the Danube Region The FLEXITRAIN project aims at rolling out its jointly developed solution through dissemination, through initiating changes in institutional settings and taking its results to vocational centres in partner regions

Project outputs: Joint Strategy(EN)
Organisations cooperating across borders(EN)
Completed pilot action(EN)
FLEXITRAIN toolbox(EN)
Joint Action Plan(EN)

Thematic information

Evaluation systems and results Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks Education and training

Priority: (VI-B_D_3) Priority 3 - A more social Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO4.2. Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 149 Support for primary to secondary education (excluding infrastructure)

Partners (11)

Lead Partner: Nemzeti Fejlesztési Központ

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15850258-1-42

Department: Programme Strategic Department, International and Cluster Unit

Address: Wesselényi utca, 1077 Budapest, Hungary

Department address: Wesselényi utca , 1077 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://kormany.hu/teruletfejlesztesi-miniszter

Total budget: EUR 311 250.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 249 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 62 250.00

Nyíregyházi Szakképzési Centrum

Name: Nyíregyházi Szakképzési Centrum

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU15832070

Address: Dugonics utca, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: http://www.nyszc.hu

Total budget: EUR 177 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 142 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 500.00

Громадська організація «Простір молоді»

Name: Громадська організація «Простір молоді»

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 39219185

Address: Lehotskoho Str., 88000 Uzhhorod, Ukraine

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://youth-space.net/home/

Total budget: EUR 128 900.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 103 120.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 780.00

Šolski center Novo mesto

Name: Šolski center Novo mesto

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 68565127

Address: Šegova ulica, 8000 Novo mesto, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: https://www.sc-nm.si/

Total budget: EUR 226 156.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 180 924.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 231.20

KOCLJEVINA Prosenjakovci

Name: KOCLJEVINA Prosenjakovci

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI24598135

Address: Prosenjakovci, 9207 PROSENJAKOVCI, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.kocljevina.com/

Total budget: EUR 226 656.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 181 324.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 331.20

Univerzitet u Beogradu – Ekonomski fakultet

Name: Univerzitet u Beogradu – Ekonomski fakultet

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 100223295

Address: Kamenicka , 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.ekof.bg.ac.rs/?lang=en

Total budget: EUR 189 620.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 151 696.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 924.00

ipcenter.at GmbH

Name: ipcenter.at GmbH

Department: Educational Offers

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU66862068

Address: Schönbrunner Straße, 1120 Vienna, Austria

Department address: Schönbrunner Straße, 1120 Vienna, Austria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: http://www.ipcenter.at

Total budget: EUR 391 250.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 313 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 78 250.00

Asociatia Intreprinderilor Mici si Mijlocii Covasna

Name: Asociatia Intreprinderilor Mici si Mijlocii Covasna

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 13898354

Address: PRESEI, 520064 Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.asimcov.org

Total budget: EUR 185 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 148 160.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 040.00

Privredna Komora Kantona Sarajevo

Name: Privredna Komora Kantona Sarajevo

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 200070950000

Address: La Benevolencija , 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.pksa.ba

Total budget: EUR 164 660.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 131 728.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 932.00

Institut za razvoj tržišta rada

Name: Institut za razvoj tržišta rada

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR71692128259

Address: Strojarska cesta, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://irtr.hr/

Total budget: EUR 213 857.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 171 085.76

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 42 771.44

DASATO Slovensko

Name: DASATO Slovensko

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK2120927556

Address: Horovce, 02062 Horovce, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.dasatoacademy.sk/

Total budget: EUR 204 940.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 163 952.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 988.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Nyíregyháza Center of Vocational Training

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

Non-government organization «Youth Space»

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

SCHOOL CENTRE NOVO MESTO

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

KOCLJEVINA Prosenjakovci

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

University of Belgrade – Faculty of Economics and Business

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

ipcenter.at Ltd.

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

Association of Small- and Medium Size Enterprises of Covasna County

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

Institute for Labour Market Development

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

DASATO Slovensko

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Partners and Projects info

National Development Centre

Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Project acronym: FLEXITRAIN

Project ID: DRP0301429

Project start date: 2025-04-01

Project end date: 2028-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

EDIOP-6.2.2-VEKOP-15 Reducing early school leaving under Competitive Workforce axis of Economic Development and Competitiveness Operational Programme, Hungary (2014-20), co-financed by the Competitive Central Hungary Operational Programme (EN) | EDIOP-6.2.2-VEKOP-15 Reducing early school leaving under Competitive Workforce axis of Economic Development and Competitiveness Operational Programme, Hungary (2014-20), co-financed by the Competitive Central Hungary Operational Programme. It aimed at supporting the county level vocational centers consisting of 6-12 vocational schools in developing an institutional strategy framework and action plan to prevent early school leaving, delivered methodological trainings for vocational center and school management, as well as teachers. Furthermore it aimed at providing an overall methodological support for competence measurements and for the implementation of vocational center based programmes to reduce drop out rate and strengthen basic competences in EDIOP-6.2.3-17 programme. The beneficiary of the priority project was the Hungarian background institution for vocational training, the National Office for Vocational Education and Adult Training, which is one of the ASPs in FLEXITRAIN. (EN), EDIOP-6.2.3-17 Institutional level development of vocational education under Competitive Workforce axis of Economic Development and Competitiveness Operational Programme, Hungary (2014-20). (EN) | This standard call for vocational education rendered support for school- based development programmes based on vocational center level strategy and action plan to strengthen basic competences of students with poor competence test result upon entering the vocational education, developing school communities and finance trainings for teaching methodology and inclusive education. (EN), EDIOP-6.2.4-VEKOP-16 XXI. Century vocational education and adult training content and quality development under Competitive Workforce axis of Economic Development and Competitiveness Operational Programme, Hungary (2014-20), co-financed by the Competitive Central Hungary Operational Programme. (EN) | It was a priority project which developed a basic competence development programme as curriculum for the new preparatory year for pupils who show serious competence deficiency, as well as for the Shop floor flexible pathway, developed a teachers’ communication and knowledge sharing point to share pedagogical tools, documents for project work in flexible pathways, and a methodological FAQ. The project undertook a communication campaign to inform companies on participation in the Shop floor flexible training pathway. (EN), EDIOP-6.1.10-VEKOP-19 Innovative trainings boosting economic growth under Competitive Workforce axis of Economic Development and Competitiveness Operational Programme, Hungary (2014-20), co-financed by the Competitive Central Hungary Operational Programme. (EN) | It was a priority programme which developed teaching materials and teachers’ competence matrix for flexible pathways for competence development and career orientation for major vocational qualification lines. The project also provided and administrative IT module for flexible pathways to monitor the progress of pupils along the individual development plans, mentors’ evaluation of pupils which are accessible for other teachers and parents, as well. (EN), EDIOP-Plus-5.3.2-24 Disadvantage compensation and flexible training pathways in vocational education (EN) | It is a standard call for proposals under the tertiary education and vocational training axis of Economic Development and Competitiveness Plus Operational Programme, Hungary (2021-27). The call invites propopsals from state and non-state vocational institutions scaling up the earlier results of flexible pathways or introducing them, as well as undertaking basic competence development for low achiever students. (EN), Back on Track DRP0200145 (EN) | Back on Track is a Danube 1st call approved project focusing on reducing the NEET particularly in rural areas. Their approach, tools developed and the network that will be set up are relevant for our work. Cooperation is facilitated since the LP of Back on Track is and ASP in our project. (EN), MEET DRP0200289 (EN) | The MEET project will promote the mental health of (vulnerable) young people. They aim at building capacities for youth mental health promotion in formal and informal educational settings. According to their expectations, in the long term, the MEET outcomes will lead to a reduction in poor schoolperformance and drop-outs, reduce the number of NEETs, enable a better educated workforce and contribute to reduced labour shortages. Even though the focus areaf othe MEET project is different, nevertheless their tools, resutls are highly interesting for us in our analysis work. We will be able to use these resutls in developing our Joint Strategy and our toolbox. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 419 989.20

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 935 991.36

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Joint analysis methodology
Regional analyses (9 regions)
Joint analysis
Kick-off meeting
Communication strategy
Agreed scope of benchmarking
Methodology description template and reviewing template
Set of collected training methodologies
Joint benchmarking report
Benchmarking meeting
White paper meeting
White paper
Local strategy workshops No. 1
Local strategy workshops No. 2
Local strategy workshops No. 3
9 regional strategies
Tool development workshop
Proposals of upgraded methodologies/tools
Consensus workshop
Ready-to-test FLEXITRAIN toolbox
9 regional toolboxes
9 regional pilot plans
9 regional trainings conducted
Pilot workshop
9 regional pilot reports
9 regional pilot evaluation reports
Joint evaluation report
9 Finetuned local toolboxes
Finetuned FLEXITRAIN toolbox
Sustainability plan template
9 sustainability plans
9 regional action plans
Joint action plan
Progress report on the implementation of the action plans
Demo toolkit
9 regional INFO DAYs
Final dissemination event

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion FLEXITRAIN is fully in line and contributes to PA9 ”People and Skills” of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. The strongest link is to Action 8 ”Inclusive Education, Equity, Common Values and Sustainable Development”. Regarding this action we target 1) reducing early school leaving, 2) addressing the diversity of learners, enhancing access to quality and inclusive education for all, including disadvantaged groups. Action 1 ”Intensify Cooperation in Labour Market Policies” focuses among others on transition from school to work, dual education – subjects that we will analyse and focus on in the project. Action 3 ”Integration of Vulnerable Groups into the Labour Market” focuses inter alia on targeted measures for young people to reduce the number of young not in education, employment or training (NEET). FLEXITRAIN will offer such targeted measures thorugh our development, testing and launching activities. Action 4 ”Fighting poverty and Prmoting Social Inclusion for All” is also in line with our objectives and planned activities. We contribute to Action 5 ”Quality and Efficiency of Education and Training systems”, particularly to Strengthening vocational education and training. Action 6 ”Relevant and High-quality Knowledge, Skills and Competences” will be strengthened by our outputs and results, particularly for the issue of ” Further exploring the potentials of innovative and active pedagogies as well as upgrading educational resources”.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The project contributes to the objective ”A Just Europe” of the Territorial Agenda 2030. Under the objective we will offer a step forward with regard to ”Better balanced territorial development utilising Europe’s diversity”. Our FLEXITRAIN toolbox will contribute to reducing early school leaving in lagging behind regions. Some of our partners have a specific focus on lagging behind regions in their countries, as such they are well place to test and introduce our solution.
Other European Pillar of social rights: European Pillar of Social Rights (OJ C 428) emphasises in its first and eleventh principles the importance of guaranteeing a quality and inclusive education for all.
Other Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success and replacing the Council Recommendation of 28 June 2011 on policies to reduce early school leaving. Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success calls ”Member States by 2025 to develop or, where appropriate, further strengthen an integrated and comprehensive strategy towards school success, at the appropriate level, in accordance with the structure of their education and training system, with a view to minimising the effects of socio-economic status on education and training outcomes, promoting inclusion in education and training and further reducing early leaving from education and training and underachievement in basic skills”. Furthermore the recommendation addresses Member States to assist ”school leaders, teachers, trainers and other staff, including in ECEC, by helping them to acquire knowledge, skills and competences and providing support for continuous professional development, as well as adequate time, space and support to work effectively with all learners, including those at risk of exclusion, underachievement and early leaving”. Moreover, it calls for ”system-level measures and an inter-sectoral approach to improve equity and inclusion in education and training and promote educational success for all learners, including by addressing structures and mechanisms which may have a particularly detrimental impact on learners belonging to more disadvantaged groups.”
Other Council Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond: The Council Resolution sets the objective to improve quality, equity, inclusion and success for all in education and training as its first strategic priority.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 138 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Flexible disadvantage compensation trainings for early school leavers in vocational education

Description

Thematic information

Partners (11)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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