Presentation of the Atollo Project in Zagreb
On January 24, 2025, a presentation of the Atollo project, co-financed under the Erasmus+ program with a focus on inclusive education, was held at the International Hotel in Zagreb. The event, organized by representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, brought together experts, principals, and persons responsible for upbringing and education from all over Croatia. The goal of the meeting was to inform attendees about the opportunities that the Atollo project offers in the context of education for children with special educational needs – developmental and learning difficulties.
The opening speech during the Atollo project presentation was given by distinguished speakers: Zvonimir Stanić, Executive Director of the Modernization of Education and Training Division at Profil Klett d.o.o., Anica Ježić, Deputy Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities, and Tatjana Katkić Stanić, Director of the Institute for Social Welfare at the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy. Their introductory speeches set the tone for a deeper understanding of the importance and objectives of the project.
About the Project
The Atollo project aims to develop and implement digital educational content tailored for children with developmental and learning difficulties. Kristina Ferara Blašković, Head of the EU Projects Department at Profil Klett d.o.o., presented the key aspects of the project, which include analyzing existing curricula from 8 partner countries and educational practices, as well as developing materials to be integrated into the school system. The target group of the project are children with varying degrees of developmental and learning difficulties.
A more detailed presentation on digital education for children with difficulties was given by representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, Lejla Osmančević Katkić (Senior Advisor – Specialist in the Service for Deinstitutionalization and Transformation of Social Welfare Institutions) and Katarina Špehar Fiškuš (Head of the Service for Improving the Quality of Professional Work and Professional Supervision), who thoroughly explained how the project supports the integration of digital educational materials into the teaching process. Emphasis was placed on creating a digital learning environment that enables individualized approaches and increases student motivation and engagement.
During the event, particular attention was given to informing principals about the implementation process. The steps for including schools in the pilot project, the expectations, and the obligations that the project entails for schools and teachers were explained in detail. It was highlighted that schools must provide the necessary infrastructure and that teachers and legal guardians will undergo training for the use of digital tools by Profil Klett d.o.o.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion, where participants could ask questions and share their opinions about the project. The presentation of the Atollo project demonstrated a strong commitment to the modernization of education and a better understanding and support of children with special needs, as well as their teachers, representing an important step forward in providing inclusive education in Croatia.
