Category: News

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We are proud to present the development of a comprehensive curriculum intended for education of project managers in the IT sector as part of the Erasmus+ SHIFT4IT project. This curriculum is the result of extensive research and collaboration with industry professionals and employers from four European countries (Belgium, Croatia, Italy and Romania). By integrating key insights and recommendations from practice, we have designed a program that includes competencies and skills that IT companies consider most important.

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Based on research

The curriculum is based on the results of a two-phase research process, which includes:

• Questionnaire It was completed by 62 experts from 56 IT companies from Belgium, Croatia, Italy and Romania to define the necessary skills and knowledge for IT project managers.
• Focus group with selected employers to gain a deeper insight into the characteristics, experiences and specific competences needed to succeed in project management in the IT sector.

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Curriculum aligned with industry needs

The programme includes modules on:

• Basis of programming: Basic principles of coding and algorithms.
• UX/UI design: Understanding user needs and creating intuitive designs.
• Project management: Planning, risk management and team coordination.
• Agile methods: Emphasis on iterative development and continuous improvement.

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Employer-led competencies

The curriculum covers skills and characteristics that employers consider essential for IT project managers, including:

• Team Leadership and Management: Inspiring teams, resolving conflicts and fostering cooperation.
• Communication skills: Effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders, clients and team members.
• Troubleshooting and decision-making: Analytical thinking under pressure.
• Technical and business knowledge: Knowledge of IT terminology, agile methodologies and project budgeting.
• Adaptability and continuous learning: Tracking industrial trends and navigating changing project requirements.

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Feedback and recommendations

Employers gave a positive assessment of the proposed curriculum, highlighting its alignment with the real needs of IT project management. Key recommendations include:

• IT system security and compliance: addressing privacy regulations such as the GDPR.
• Basics of cloud computing: Understanding modern infrastructure practices.
• Improved soft skills: Conflict resolution, negotiation and motivational techniques.
• B2B Skills: Effective communication with clients and relationship management.
• Practices and traineeships: Practical experience that links theoretical learning with practical application.

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Key insights and conclusion

Research has shown that while technical knowledge is valuable, employers attach great importance to managerial and communication skills. Specific technical expertise is often acquired through work, while adaptability and the ability to manage diverse teams are key to the success of project managers.

Our curriculum aims to address the IT talent gap by training future project managers, especially women from non-technical fields, to succeed in a dynamic IT sector. With over 90% employers who have expressed an interest in recruiting graduates of this programme, we are convinced of its relevance and impact.

This initiative represents a step forward in shaping the future of IT project management, bridging gaps and fostering diversity in industry.

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The Adriatic-Ionian region, with its unique geographical and climatic conditions, is increasingly exposed to severe flooding due to a combination of climate change and land use change. These events have led to significant geomorphological adjustments of river channels and, historically, have caused significant damage to life, property, agriculture and tourism infrastructure.

URBANFLOODS the initiative aims to strengthen urban resilience to increasing flood threats, in particular to rivers and streams in the urban environment of the Adriatic-Ionian region. By developing an integrated decision support system under the EU Floods Directives, the project aims to transform flood management as well as preparedness for response. URBANFLOODS will raise public awareness, recommend new flood prevention policies and provide strategic action plans for the short, medium and long term. Designed to benefit local authorities, communities, policy-makers and the public, this initiative will build stronger cities more resilient to floods for the future.

Specific objectives of the project

• Joint development of an integrated decision support system (DSS): implies the creation of an advanced data-driven system that offers comprehensive flood management solutions and early warning systems.
• Strengthening natural and civil protection mechanisms: focus on improving existing natural and civil protection strategies and introducing new measures to further protect the Adriatic-Ionian region from flood risks.
• Adoption of protocols for effective practices, transnational strategies and action plans including identification, documentation and adoption of successful flood management strategies and action plans, which can serve as a reference for other regions facing similar problems.
• Education of local communities: This objective aims to improve the understanding of flood risks among local communities by fostering a culture of ‘preparedness’ and promoting proactive measures to mitigate potential consequences.

Main expected results

• 1 unique DSS (Decision Support System) It will improve the capacity of local authorities to reduce flood risk in urban areas and increase urban resilience by providing sophisticated, data-driven flood management solutions. The self-contained DSS will be confirmed and demonstrated at 9 different pilot locations.
• 1 Joint transnational strategy It will establish a targeted way to achieve efficient and effective flood management. It will provide a shared vision, goals, policies, actions and measures, based on a SMART data-driven approach.
• 3 Action Plans It will turn the jointly developed transnational strategy into actions, with the aim of increasing knowledge and helping decision-making for 3 categories of key institutions: (1) Local/regional authorities, (2) Civil Protection Authorities, (3) National authorities.
• 1 Memorandum of Understanding: formal agreement between the parties to continue cooperation after the end of the project. It will promote the exchange of knowledge and the transfer of best practices between partners and relevant interested stakeholders, increasing the visibility of project results to support future synergies and raise awareness and readiness among the general public, thereby maximising the potential impact of the project.

Project partners

1. University of Western Macedonia, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – Greece (EL)
2. Hydro-Engineering Institute Sarajevo – Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
3. Development Centre Murska Sobota – Slovenia (SI)
4. Macerata Municipality- Italy (IT)
5. Regional Development AgencY Backa Ltd. – Serbia (RS)
6. Municipal Enterprise for Water Supply and Sewerage of Kozani - Greece (EL)
7. Hydrowater-Albania sh.p.k - Albania (AL)
8. Rijeka Development Agency Porin Ltd. – Croatia (HR)
9. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje – North Macedonia (MK)
10. EuroMediterranean Center for the Sustainable Development – SVI.MED NPO – Italy (IT)
11. Center for Knowledge Management CKM – North Macedonia (MK)

Associated partners

1. Municipality of Scicli - IT
2. Municipality of Modica - IT
3. Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO) - SI
4. Agency for watershed of the Adriatic Sea – BA
5. Water Supply and Sewerage Association of Albania - AL
6. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY, GENERAL DIRECTORATE FOR WATER - EL
7. Public Water Management Company “Vode Vojvodina” – RS
8. Municipality of Kozani - EL
9. Centre for Crisis Mangement – MK
10. Institute of Sustainable Development and Management of Natural Resources-UCRI TEMENUS UOWM - EL
11. Public Institution for protected area management in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County - EN

Pilot sites

• Siopoto - EL
• Matica - BA
• Ledava - SI
• Fosso Narducci - IT
• Modica-Scicli torrent - IT
• Karaš - RS
• Tirana - AL
• Rječina - HR
• Wrong Reka - MK

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Project name: URBANFLOODS Promoting Urban Resilience Through an Integrated Advanced Decision Support System for Flood Control
Implementation period: 1.9.2024. – 31.8.2027
Value of the project: 1.747.583,17 € (80% EU contribution - 85% IPA-Adrion contribution)
Source of funding: Interreg IPA-Adrion

More about the project is available at official website.

The former paper factory in Rijeka will become Sinergana – Creative Technologies and IT Industry Incubator for SMEs in IT and creative industries in the Rijeka Urban Agglomeration. Entrepreneurs will be provided with comprehensive support for the realization of market and innovation potential through modern entrepreneurial infrastructure, services and programs.

Construction, equipping and putting into operation of the Sinergan Incubator is carried out through the EU project ‘Creative Technologies and IT Industry Incubator – Energana’, and includes the reconstruction and conversion of the power plant (electrical power plant) building of the former Rijeka Paper Factory into an Incubator for Creative Technologies and IT Industry and the establishment of software and other activities necessary for putting the incubator into operational work. The reconstruction of the former energy plant building includes the arrangement of over 2,700 m² usable area on five floors. In addition to office space, i.e. 24 incubation units for entrepreneurs, the space of Sinergane includes specialized classrooms and workspaces, multifunctional classrooms and meeting rooms, data center, chat rooms, a large multifunctional hall, coworking space and other functional and logistical facilities necessary for efficient work and a pleasant stay of users in the incubator.

The works are coming to an end, and the visit to the building was attended by Mayor Marko Filipović, Head of the Administrative Department for Economy, Development, Ecology and European Projects Jana Sertić, Head of the Administrative Department for Urbanism, Spatial Planning and Construction Ljiljana Buljan, Head of the Administrative Department for City Property Denis Šulina and Head of the Administrative Department for Finance Ante Mađerić, as well as representatives of contractors and expert supervision.

“Some other necessary equipment is being procured, but I expect this space to start operating by the beginning of next year at the latest, when the first entrepreneurs should enter. I hope that this space will bring a new life to this part of the city, because it will be filled with young and creative people who will create a new Rijeka here and reflect on its future. I have no doubt that the interest in working in this space will be great and I wish all those who will work and create here a lot of happiness and success, and I am sure that a lot of valuable ideas will come from them", said Mayor Filipović.

Mayor Filipović also pointed out that the space of Sinergana will be managed by the Rijeka Development Agency Porin. He thanked the contractors, designers and all others who were involved in the realization of the project.

Chief Jana Sertić explained why the name Sinergan was chosen. "The name came into being in the context of merging something that was before and something that is coming, i.e. the new Rijeka industry, which is no longer based on the industry we used to have, but on the new, modern IT industry and creative industries, especially the photo and video industry. As the mayor also said, we hope that the renovation of this building and the start of the Incubator's work will encourage the revitalisation of this part of the city", said Sertić, adding that a project for the decoration of all public areas surrounding Sinergan and one work by Ružićeva and Vodovodska ulica is also in the process.

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The works on the reconstruction and conversion of the Energana building were completed on 30 June 2024. The technical inspection in the process of issuing the in-service permit was held on 12 September 2024, and the issued in-service permit became final on 24 October 2024.

The reconstruction included the entire building where two new floors of the gallery type were built on a structure made of steel profiles and reinforced concrete slabs. On the eastern facade, the low part of the building and the old substation were removed, the new basic structure was adapted and the new part of the building was upgraded. The building has restored the existing external steel windows behind which a new energy-efficient joinery was built and an insulated facade and a large canopy above the entrance to the western facade along Rječina. The reconstruction of the building resulted in a total of five floors, i.e. ground floor and four floors, a total of 2,767.25 m² net surfaces. Within the building, the construction of a new substation was also carried out, which will supply electricity to the building of the entrepreneurial incubator itself, as well as to consumers in the environment.