Erasmus Days – Probation in a new dimension

On 17 October 2025, a presentation of Erasmus+ projects with a focus on virtual reality (VR) was held at the Congress Centre of the National and University Library

Erasmus+ projects are primarily related to education.

The aim of the Erasmus projects implemented in the probation system is to improve the competencies, knowledge and skills of both officials and offenders, with the aim of their rehabilitation, resocialisation and reintegration.

“VR is a tool we have used to simulate as realistically as possible specific real-life situations and enable offenders to develop their skills in a safe environment, where they can make mistakes without real consequences”, explained Vesna Zelić Ferenčić, Head of Probation Service Development Service and Erasmus+ projects coordinator, emphasizing that the innovative learning project has won the EITA 2025 award of the European Commission this year. 

VR content is designed to develop problem-solving skills. It is precisely the lack of those skills that represents one of the most common criminogenic risks, and their development is crucial for rehabilitation.

Head of Probation Sector Goran Brkić said that the VR projects have served to complement the usual rehabilitation work with offenders with a virtual reality tool.

“We practice specific things, we put offenders in a real-life situation using VR glasses, enabling them an experience of diving into a particular problem situation. In particular, we have developed problem solving content where offenders can choose among several options, and the pre-developed scenarios guide them towards correct and incorrect answers, making it a learning experience", explained Brkić.

“Since Erasmus Days are marked this week, the Probation Sector has decided to present a project implemented until June, and we will start implementing the VR tool next year, once all probation officers are trained”, he added.

State Secretary Vedrana Šimundža Nikolić reminded that since 2022, the Probation Sector has been implementing Erasmus+ projects in the field of adult education. In just a few years, through international cooperation and exchange of knowledge, a major step forward has been made in the professionalisation of the probation system in Croatia.

"Our projects are not just administrative tasks, they are investments in people, above all officials who work hard every day. In particular, Erasmus+ projects are not just an investment in knowledge, but an investment in the future. Every new knowledge, new skill and cooperation resulting from such a project is returned to society through better offender treatment work, more successful rehabilitation and a safer community, because investing in people brings the greatest value”, concluded State Secretary Vedrana Šimundža Nikolić.

The event brought together participants from the probation service, the prison system, academia, the Judicial Academy, health and social welfare systems, and other relevant institutions.