Challenges:

• High proportion of the elderly population. 
• High percentage of unemployed young people that are over-educated or with inappropriate education.
• High proportion of immigrants.
• Identifying the needs of the labour market and adapting educational programs.
• Increasing interest in agriculture and self-sufficiency.
• Developing sustainable tourism in rural areas.
• Networking with neighbouring regions.
• Developing entrepreneurship and social enterprises.

Opportunities:

• Continuation of promoting the concept of lifelong learning.
• Continuation of activities of Centres for lifelong learning, with an emphasis on flexible learning and accessibility for all residents.
• Expanding the range of educational programs for adults: for personal development, raising key competencies and professional qualifications.
• Strengthening and integration of counselling services for education, career and personal development.
• Promoting intergenerational cooperation and exchange of knowledge (Centre of intergenerational learning).
• Promoting creativity and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the educational system.
• Reducing the gap between educational supply and labour market needs and providing rapid response of educational system to development needs of the regional economy.
• Promoting inclusion of vulnerable groups into different forms of education, training, lifelong learning and the labour market.