"Our goal is to realise an innovative model within the fields of employment, education, equal opportunities and social security by giving people who are in danger of losing their jobs and the unemployed opportunities to develop their basic skills and key competences", Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas said at the opening of the Open Education Centre in Karcag.

The Minister for Rural Development stated that the institution has created new jobs and is ready to begin the training of 300 people. Education is one of the most important factors in assuring a better standard of living and in reducing social disadvantages, he added. These centres play an important role as a place of community education in the life of the local community.

Mr. Fazekas also stressed that local governments have done everything possible to acquire suitable funding for the maintenance of its institutions, enabling both cost-effective management and the creation of an education and training environment that meets modern requirements. The project was co-financed by the European Union" Social Fund at a total cost of 1 billion 998 million 961 thousand forints (over 6.5 million euros).

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)