Quality of education has been a cornerstone of FFE’s work since 1998, with a focus on teaching methodology, critical thinking, and active learning. Central to this theme is the Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT) programme, which has trained more than 3,000 teachers across all levels of education. Participants adopt a specialised framework of 80 techniques designed to support conscious, active, and meaningful learning — building the key competencies that children and young people need to thrive.

Since 2012, this theme has grown to include curriculum development, strategic planning, and participatory decision-making, all brought together in 2020 under the Principals Academy programme. Today, our quality of education portfolio supports schools in developing innovative, participatory leadership that fosters genuinely positive school cultures.

Professional Development Programmes. – Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking; – Principals Academy

Expertise and Resources. – Curriculum Development; – Strategic Planning in Education

Wellbeing, social-emotional learning (SEL), and non-violent conflict resolution have been at the heart of FFE’s work for more than 20 years, with over 60 regional, national, and EU-funded projects delivered in these areas. This theme focuses on strengthening the personal, social, and civic competencies of children, young people, and the professionals who work alongside them.

A defining milestone was the 2009 EU-funded “We Can Work It Out” project, which gave rise to a comprehensive school mediation programme and established local mediation centres across Croatia. More than 3,000 professionals have since been trained in mediation — understood not merely as dispute resolution, but as a holistic approach to developing personal and social competencies.

Subsequent programmes have deepened this work, culminating in “Schools of Support” (2021), developed with UNICEF, which expanded our focus to include mental health, resilience, and educator wellbeing. This programme has been an invaluable resource for schools navigating the aftermath of natural disasters or working in communities requiring additional support.

Professional Development Programmes. – We Can Work It Out (Mediation); – Schools of Support

Expertise and Resources. – Mediation; – Non-Violent Communication; – Supervision 

Inclusion has been part of FFE’s DNA since its founding, gaining its first systematic framework in 2014 through the Council of Europe project “Regional Support for Inclusive Education.” Since then, our scope has grown through projects focused on intercultural learning and social justice, the education of children with migrant backgrounds, gender equality, and tackling the effects of poverty in schools.

Today, inclusion is one of our central pillars — further strengthened through the international Sirius network and national TEMCO thematic network (“Lifelong Education Accessible to All”). Our goal is an education system that actively removes barriers and ensures every child and young person truly belongs.

Professional Development Programmes. – Inclusive Education of Migrant Students; – Support for Students from Vulnerable Groups

Expertise and Resources. – Intercultural Competences Development; – Teaching and Learning Materials Creation; – Self-Assessment Tool

Since 1999, FFE has been working to embed civic education in Croatian schools and equip teachers to develop students’ social and civic competencies. Our democracy portfolio includes the “Law in Everyday Life” programme and more than ten initiatives supporting educators in teaching the rule of law, democracy, human rights, anti-corruption, and the European Union.

Key projects include: Law in Everyday Life (2021) — a comprehensive model for teaching basic legal literacy (thelawproject.eu); Make Europe Great Again (2020) — an extensive resource hub for teaching and learning about the EU (learningeurope.eu); Gender Equality in Schools (2018) — a framework helping schools develop policies on gender equality; EUNITE — informing citizens about the EU and its policies to strengthen civic engagement.

Professional Development Programmes. – Law in Everyday Life; – Education on the European Union; – Anti-Corruption Education; – School Volunteering 

Expertise and Resources. – Teaching and Learning Materials Creation

Sustainability entered FFE’s portfolio in 2011, beginning with an analysis of Croatian school curricula to assess how well they incorporated content, values, and skills for a sustainable future. In 2019, the “Schools for Sustainable Europe” project saw the first cohort of educators complete our “Competencies for a Sustainable Future” seminar, resulting in a published collection of school projects linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Since 2020, we have been an active partner in the METAR for a Better Climate thematic network, through which we developed the “Guidelines for a Sustainable Future for Schools and Decision-Makers.”

Recent projects include: Greening Financial Literacy (2022) — integrating sustainability into financial literacy education for young people; Lead for Ecojustice (2023) — building school cultures grounded in ecojustice principles; Ecoality (2023) — a DEAR project exploring the intersectionality of gender and climate change through a new educational model.

Professional Development Programmes. – Sustainability and Gender Equality; – Ecosjustice in Schools

Expertise and Resources. – Teaching and Learning Materials Creation; – Self-Assessment Tool