Podgorica, May 16, 2025 – A national training session for future trainers was held in Podgorica on May 5 as part of the ambitious “Robotics for the Youngest” program. The event gathered educators from across Montenegro, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to introduce innovative, hands-on learning methods into all primary schools in the country.
This initiative is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, the Innovation Fund of Montenegro, and the Central Bank of Montenegro, with the support of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis.
First launched in 2022 as a small-scale pilot involving only four primary schools, “Robotics for the Youngest” has grown into a national success story. By 2023, the program had expanded to include 16 more schools from all three regions of the country, following strong interest and highly positive feedback. Thanks to financial support from the Central Bank of Montenegro, the program was officially scaled up to a nationwide level in 2024, reaching over 160 primary schools and impacting thousands of pupils. This support enabled the procurement of educational robots for lower primary grades, ensuring equal access to innovative education across Montenegro.
The training session held in Podgorica was designed to build the capacity of educators to apply modern teaching practices that nurture digital skills, creativity, and problem-solving. Twelve teachers and subject specialists took part in the session and will now serve as national trainers tasked with training their peers throughout the country. The training focused on integrating robotics into teaching, developing essential 21st-century competencies such as programming and financial literacy, and exploring the creative use of 3D modeling and technology in the classroom. Participants were introduced to practical ways of using robotics not only as a technical tool, but also as a means of enhancing digital and pedagogical skills. Special emphasis was placed on the role of robots in promoting financial literacy among young learners, through playful, interactive tasks that help children understand saving, money management, and responsible decision-making.
The training was led by Snežana Šćepanović, Senior Advisor at the Innovation Fund of Montenegro; Marija Mugoša, IT teacher at the Secondary Medical School; and Biljana Krivokapić, IT teacher at “Štampar Makarije” Primary School. Speaking about the experience, Krivokapić said: “When children work with robots, they’re not just learning to code — they’re learning how to think, how to collaborate, and how to solve problems creatively. These small steps in coding mark big progress in how we teach. Innovative methods like these are not just technical tools, but gateways to curiosity, confidence, and the joy of discovery. I’m proud to be part of this important step forward in our education system.”
The program continues to grow, and a national robotics competition focused on financial literacy is already being planned. By combining STEM education with real-world topics, the initiative aims to help children build not only academic knowledge, but also practical and life-long skills.
Snežana Šćepanović, author of the program and Senior Advisor for EU Projects at the Innovation Fund, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative: “This program doesn’t just bring innovation into our classrooms — it introduces a new philosophy of learning. It empowers students to acquire the skills they need for the 21st century by giving them the freedom to explore, design, and create. True innovation doesn’t start in labs — it starts in classrooms, where a student’s curiosity meets a teacher’s willingness to experiment, question, and lead change. That’s why our support is focused on those shaping the future every day — teachers and educators.”
