Programme
Education
Our goal
To help education systems, schools, and communities create more inclusive learning environments, strengthen teaching practice, and support meaningful participation and better education planning.
How we work
Our Approach to Education
We work with teachers, students, parents, school leaders, and education partners to understand where learning environments need to change and what would help that change happen.
Our work combines research, co-design, digital tools, professional development, and community engagement so that programmes and tools are grounded in the needs of educators, schools, and education institutions.
What this work aims to change
- Stronger learning systems
- Education institutions are better able to identify needs, plan improvements, and support inclusive and effective learning.
- Supported educators
- Educators have the skills, tools, and confidence to improve learning in practice.
- Meaningful student participation
- Students and communities have a stronger role in shaping education programmes, resources, and learning environments.
What we offer
- Co-design and co-creation
- We work with education stakeholders to define needs, test ideas, and shape solutions that fit local learning contexts and priorities.
- Digital platforms and tools
- We design and adapt digital platforms that support teaching, learning, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making.
- Community building
- We help build learning communities where educators and partners can share practice, exchange knowledge, and work through common challenges together.
- Capacity-building initiatives
- We deliver workshops, training programmes, and collaborative formats that strengthen the skills educators and institutions need to improve learning environments.
Selected projects
Promoting a Safe School Environment 2023-2026
SmartUp delivered a three-year national programme (2023–2026), strengthening safe, inclusive learning in 50 schools. Through EduLab, SmartUp has trained teachers on child protection and digital skills, published 100+ resources, and reached 20,000+ students via classroom application, with nationwide webinars reaching 5,000+ education professionals.
EmpowerED Digital Self-Evaluation Tool
SmartUp designed and deployed EmpowerED, North Macedonia's first digital teacher self-evaluation platform, for the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation. Piloted in 20 schools with 1,294 teachers (96.14% completion), it generates personalized development plans and real-time data dashboards for authorities. SmartUp transferred full ownership to the Bureau for Development of Education for national rollout.
EDUINO: Collectively Improving Education Through Co-Creation and Innovation
SmartUp conceptualized and led EDUINO, North Macedonia's largest collaborative digital education platform, launched in March 2020 when COVID-19 closed schools. 2,000+ educators volunteered to record 4,700+ video lessons in Macedonian and Albanian, verified by Bureau for Development of Education advisors and broadcast nationally. SmartUp also ran 50+ webinars with 70,000+ live viewers and handed EDUINO's operation to the Bureau.
Related guides & platforms
Guide
Innovation in Education Guide
Practical tips for introducing innovative practices in teaching and learning.
Guide
Brochure on early childhood development
The brochure introduces the EDUINO Early Childhood Development platform and its educational play activities to support children's early learning and development.
Platform
EduLab – Professional Development Platform
Self-paced professional development for educators, with on-demand courses, articles, and practical guides.
Platform
ThinkLab – AI Teaching Companion
An AI companion for teachers: lesson planning assistance and personalised learning recommendations.
Platform
NasociMe – Career Guidance Platform
Career guidance for young people: personalised advice, skill assessments, and job matching.
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