Croatia BrAIn AI Education Project 2026

Croatia is making significant strides in integrating artificial intelligence into its educational system with the BrAIn project, a national initiative focused on primary and secondary education. This ambitious undertaking, officially titled “Application of Digital Technologies Based on Artificial Intelligence in Education – BrAIn,” represents a substantial investment in the country's future human capital and digital literacy. With a total budget of EUR 15,993,222.00, this project is not just about bringing new technology into classrooms; it's about fundamentally reshaping how Croatian students learn and interact with the digital world. For bid managers, export managers, and procurement officers, understanding the nuances of such a programmatic initiative, particularly one with a long implementation timeline stretching to 2029, offers insights into the evolving landscape of public service procurement in the EU.

The BrAIn project, spearheaded by the Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNET) and overseen by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, commenced on September 1, 2023, and is slated to run until September 1, 2029. This six-year span allows for a phased approach, moving from experimental implementation to full nationwide rollout. The funding structure highlights a common model in EU member states, with 85% of the budget, or EUR 13,594,238.70, originating from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), and the remaining 15%, or EUR 2,398,983.30, covered by the Croatian state budget. This blended financing underscores the strategic importance both the EU and Croatia place on digital transformation in education.

Project Scope and Educational Objectives

The BrAIn project is Croatia’s flagship initiative for integrating AI into primary and secondary education, aiming to equip students with essential skills for the digital age. Its curriculum focus extends beyond mere technical proficiency, encompassing AI concepts, machine learning, and data science, while also addressing the crucial ethical and societal aspects of AI. This comprehensive approach ensures that students not only understand how AI works but also its broader implications for society. Furthermore, the project aims to introduce AI-enhanced learning tools, which could revolutionize personalized education and student engagement.

A significant component of the project involves the development of curricula and educational programs specifically tailored for AI and digital technologies. This isn't a static, one-time effort; it's an evolving process that adapts to technological advancements and pedagogical best practices. For instance, an extracurricular curriculum titled “Artificial Intelligence: from Concept to Application” has already been developed by CARNET for 5th and 6th graders, with its implementation expected in the 2025/2026 school year. Such targeted programs demonstrate a commitment to integrating AI education at an early stage, fostering digital literacy from a young age. Suppliers of educational content, e-learning platforms, and digital tools might find future opportunities as these curricula expand and require supporting resources.

Implementation Phases and Current Status

The BrAIn project is not a theoretical exercise; it’s a living initiative with clearly defined implementation phases. The experimental implementation phase took place during the 2024/2025 academic year, allowing for pilot testing and refinement of methodologies. This initial phase was critical for gathering feedback from teachers and students, ensuring the developed programs are practical and effective. Following this, the curriculum revision phase is currently underway in 2025/2026, incorporating lessons learned from the experimental stage. This iterative process is a hallmark of successful large-scale educational reforms.

Regular implementation, which signifies the nationwide rollout of the AI curriculum and tools, began in the 2025/2026 academic year and will continue until the project's conclusion in 2029. This long-term rollout period means that opportunities for various stakeholders, particularly those providing ongoing support, training, and technological upgrades, will likely emerge over several years. While the project is already underway and does not feature a single, conventional construction-style tender package, the programmatic nature means numerous smaller, specialized procurements are likely to occur as needs evolve. Tracking such developments through platforms like TendersGo can provide early visibility into these emerging requirements, especially for those interested in education and training tenders .

Procurement Opportunities and Participation

Unlike traditional infrastructure projects that might have a few large, clearly defined tender packages for construction or major equipment, BrAIn is primarily a programmatic education and digital-transformation project. This means procurement opportunities are more granular and continuous, focusing on services, software, training, and specialized educational materials. The project's emphasis on developing a smart recommendation system for personalized learning support, for example, suggests potential needs for AI development services, data analytics platforms, and educational software providers. Furthermore, ensuring the availability of digitized educational services through improved network management and cybersecurity points to requirements for IT infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity solutions, and related consulting services.

A key avenue for participation, particularly for educational staff and institutions, is through an open public call that remains accessible until August 31, 2029. This mechanism allows schools and individual educators to actively engage with the project, contribute to its development, and benefit from its initiatives. For companies looking to support the project indirectly or directly through sub-contracting, monitoring the activities of CARNET and the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth is crucial. While no large, single procurement event has been announced, the continuous nature of the project means that smaller, specialized tenders for services like teacher training, content development, software licenses, and research support will likely be published periodically. Setting up unlimited email alerts for Croatia tenders on TendersGo could help procurement professionals stay ahead of these announcements.

Technical and Programmatic Requirements

The technical backbone of BrAIn is multifaceted. Beyond curriculum development, the project aims to develop a smart recommendation system. This implies a need for expertise in AI algorithms, machine learning models, and potentially large-scale data processing capabilities. Companies specializing in educational technology, personalized learning platforms, and data science could find niches here. The project's drive to improve network management and cybersecurity for digitized educational services also opens doors for IT firms offering network solutions, firewall systems, data encryption services, and compliance consulting. These are not one-off purchases but rather ongoing needs that require continuous support and updates.

Teacher support and school enablement are also central. The project aims to provide support for teachers and schools through curriculum experimentation and nationwide rollout. This involves significant professional development programs, which might require partnerships with training providers, e-learning content developers, and educational consultants. The research component, which includes studying the effects of digital technology on student wellbeing and producing evidence-based recommendations, also suggests opportunities for research institutions, survey firms, and data analysis specialists. These varied requirements mean that the procurement landscape for BrAIn is diverse, extending beyond traditional IT hardware to include intellectual services and specialized software.

Social Impact and Future Implications

Beyond the technical and educational objectives, the BrAIn project carries significant social implications. It includes a dedicated research track focused on the impact of digital technologies on children and young people, particularly concerning their wellbeing and the responsible use of AI. This commitment to ethical considerations and student welfare reflects a broader EU emphasis on human-centric AI development. The findings from this research will not only inform future educational policies in Croatia but could also contribute to best practices across Europe, making it a project with influence beyond national borders.

The project is explicitly framed by EU sources as part of Croatia’s broader push to build human capital, strengthen digital sovereignty, and protect data in education. This strategic alignment with wider EU goals means that success in BrAIn could unlock further funding and collaborative opportunities. For companies involved, demonstrating an understanding of these broader objectives—such as contributing to digital literacy, ethical AI use, and data protection—can be a significant differentiator. The long-term nature of the project, extending to 2029, also suggests that the impact will be sustained, creating a generation of Croatian students better prepared for a digitally driven world. Organizations looking to expand their presence in the European education sector should monitor such initiatives closely, utilizing tools like TendersGo's organization profiles to understand the key players involved.

Tracking Opportunities and Staying Informed

For those looking to engage with the BrAIn project or similar initiatives in Croatia, staying informed is paramount. While the project is well underway, the ongoing implementation and continuous evolution of its programmatic needs mean that new requirements will undoubtedly arise. Specific details regarding forthcoming tenders for software licenses, training modules, research services, or IT support will be published by CARNET and the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth. Companies should regularly check official Croatian government procurement portals and specialized tender aggregation services.

Using a platform like TendersGo, with its advanced search and filtering capabilities, can be highly effective. Procurement professionals can set up specific searches for keywords such as "AI education," "digital transformation," or "curriculum development" within Croatia, ensuring they receive timely notifications. The ability to filter by CPV codes relevant to education, IT services, and software development, combined with unlimited email alerts, ensures that no potential opportunity is missed. As the project matures and expands, particularly during the nationwide rollout phase, the demand for specialized services and innovative solutions will only grow, creating a dynamic environment for those ready to contribute to Croatia's AI educational future.