Initiative - Centre for Education

What Initiative - Centre for Education does

Inicijativa centar za edukaciju (Initiative - Centre for Education) is a privately held Croatian language education association founded around 2002, headquartered in Zagreb with a regional branch in Split. The company is the sole Callan Method-accredited school in Croatia, delivering a 12-stage structured English curriculum (A1.1 to C2.1) developed by Robin Callan in 1959 and based on guided oral conversation with real-time error correction. Courses are taught exclusively by native English speakers recruited from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and are delivered via group (5–8 members), mini-group (3–4), individual, and semi-individual formats. The operation is small (~12 employees) and is run by co-founders Sean Anthony Honan (from Ireland) and Anja, alongside a separate legal entity Larkin d.o.o. (OIB HR26474481273).

The core product portfolio is anchored on the Callan Method and supported by the Callan Student Practice Area (CSPA), a digital practice platform distributed via web and mobile applications (iOS and Android) that provides audio, dictation, and writing exercises. A portfolio of complementary community-based activities — Book Club, English Choir, Hiking Club, Cook & Chat, and Friday Revision Classes — is offered free to members to reinforce retention. Beyond English, the center provides Croatian A1.1 courses for foreigners preparing for work-permit certification (administered by partner Calidus), workshops on business English sub-topics (€40–€145 each), corporate tailor-made programs (€400/20-hour module), and EU-funded Erasmus+ teacher training courses for European educators.

The revenue model combines recurring monthly memberships (€160–€200/month for 16 hours of group instruction), per-session individual and semi-individual pricing (€30–€55), corporate contracts distributed via partner www.english.hr, one-off intensive summer courses (from €240), and grants from the European Social Fund (ESF) and Erasmus+. Lead generation runs through content marketing (a 70+ article blog), SEO, an organic Facebook community, free Calendly-scheduled consultations, and earned media (Večernji hr, Diva.hr). Customer segments span individual adult learners, SMB and enterprise business clients, foreigners requiring Croatian certification, and international educators participating in Erasmus+ programs.

Name

Initiative - Centre for Education

Legal name

Inicijativa centar za edukaciju

Website

https://inicijativa.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Inicijativa centar za edukaciju is the only Callan Method-accredited English school in Croatia, headquartered in Zagreb with a Split branch. It serves individual adults, corporate clients, foreigners seeking work-permit certification, and European educators via native-speaker instruction online and in-person.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Education Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live Online Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAD), Language Learning Centers (ESL/EFL & World Languages) (EDANAHAG), In-Person Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAE), Accent Reduction, Pronunciation & Fluency Coaching (EDAMAFAJ)

Keywords

• English language courses
• Corporate English training
• Callan Method instruction
• Foreign language education
• Teacher training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zagreb

HQ country

Croatia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership / Subscription (Group Courses): Monthly membership fees for group English courses (regular or mini-group). Billing is monthly or per semester. Fees range from €160/month (regular group, 16h/month) to €200/month (mini-group). Semester and annual prepayment discounts (5–10%) are offered.
2. Individual and Semi-Individual Lessons: Per-session pricing for 1-on-1 and 2-on-1 (semi-individual) lessons. General English: €45 online / €50 in-person per session. Business English: €55 per session. Discounts on packages of 10–30 hours.
3. Business / Corporate Programs: Tailor-made business English programs for companies, sold as 20-hour modules (€400 per module) or custom corporate packages. Also offered through partner www.english.hr.
4. Workshops: Short-format workshops on business English topics (Grammar Lab, Phrasal Verbs, Small Talk, Negotiation, etc.) priced individually from €40–€80 per workshop.
5. Croatian Language Courses for Foreigners: A1.1 intensive Croatian course at €380 for 70 hours, plus a separate exam fee of €140 at Calidus institution. Target audience: foreigners needing language certification for work permits.
6. Intensive Summer Courses: Short-duration intensive English courses (4–6 weeks), offered at Early Bird prices from €240. Targeted at adults wanting rapid progress during summer months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Inicijativa centar za edukaciju is a Croatian language education center delivering English instruction through the Callan Method — an intensive, guided-conversation approach at natural speech speed with real-time error correction, structured across 12 levels (A1.1 to C2.1). The center provides regular group courses, mini-groups, individual and semi-individual lessons, intensive summer programs, business English courses, and tailor-made corporate programs, delivered by native English-speaking teachers in-person at Zagreb and Split or live online via Zoom. Supplementary offerings include Croatian language courses for foreigners (A1.1 with work-permit exam preparation), Erasmus+ accredited teacher training courses in Croatia, and a suite of free member activities (Book Club, Choir, Hiking Club, Cook & Chat, Friday Revision Classes).

Product overview

Initiative – Centre for Education is a language learning center operating in Zagreb and Split, Croatia, offering a unified portfolio centered on the Callan Method — a 12-stage structured spoken English program (Stages 1–12, A1.1 to C2.1). The core offering consists of group courses (regular and mini groups), intensive summer programs, individual and semi-individual lessons, and business English courses, all delivered online or in-person by native speakers. These are supplemented by a suite of member activities including a Book Club, Choir, Cook & Chat, Hiking Club, and Friday Revision Classes, plus workshops (Grammar Lab, Phrasal Verbs, Negotiation, Drama & Improv). Supporting resources include the CSPA interactive app/platform and a free downloadable eBook. The center also offers Croatian language courses for foreigners (A1.1 with work permit exam preparation) and Erasmus+ teacher training courses in Croatia. EU-funded social projects round out the portfolio, targeting vulnerable groups. The CSPA (Callan Student Practice Area) is a complementary digital platform accessible via mobile app and desktop, giving students audio, writing, and fill-in exercises between live sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Group English Courses (Regular) Regular group English courses (5-8 members) delivered via the Callan Method, available online and in-person at the Zagreb center. Sessions run 2x2 hours per week (16 hours/month) focused on active speaking and real-time error correction with native speakers. Monthly membership priced at €160/month.
• Mini Group English Courses Mini group English courses (3-4 members) using the Callan Method, providing more speaking time per participant than regular groups while maintaining collaborative learning dynamics. Monthly membership priced at €200/month.
• Intensive Summer English Course Fast-track intensive English course running 3x per week for 4-6 weeks, designed for adults who want to overcome speaking fear and achieve conversational confidence quickly using the Callan Method and native speakers. Early Bird prices from €240.
• Individual English Lessons (1-on-1) One-on-one English lessons tailored to the student's pace, schedule, and specific language needs, available online or in-person. Lessons can be general or business-focused, with flexible scheduling. Online €45/session, in-person €50/session.
• Semi-Individual English Lessons (2-on-1) Paired English lessons with two students at the same level, offering a balance between individual attention and collaborative learning, available online or in-person. Online €30/person/session, in-person €35/person/session.
• Business English Course Specialized business English group program covering professional introductions, business correspondence, phrasal verbs, negotiation, conflict resolution, meeting management, and personal branding, delivered in modules of 20 hours by native speakers. €400 per 20-hour module (€360 Early Bird).
• Tailor-Made Business Programs Customized business English programs designed to address specific industry vocabulary and communication needs of corporate clients, available online or face-to-face. Pace, location, and schedule agreed per client; inquiries via [email protected].
• Business English Workshops A series of specialized workshops including Grammar Lab, Phrasal Verbs for Business, The Power of Introduction, Mastering Small Talk, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Managing Effective Meetings, Talk Like a Native, and Developing Creativity through Drama and Improv. Priced individually from €40–€80 per workshop.
• Croatian Language A1.1 Course for Foreigners Accelerated Croatian language course at A1.1 level for foreigners, covering 70 instructional hours over 9 weeks with morning and evening groups, designed to prepare participants for the work permit language exam administered by Calidus. Course: €380; exam fee: €140 separate.
• Erasmus+ Teacher Training Courses Erasmus+ accredited professional development courses for teachers and trainers held in Croatia, covering topics such as the Callan Method, AI tools for education, storytelling, ICT and outdoor learning, and intercultural classroom management. Funded via Erasmus+ mobility grants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students report beginning to think in English after just a few hours of Callan Method instruction
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Callan Method Organisation (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative holds exclusive accreditation from the Callan Method Organisation (London, UK) to deliver the Callan Method in Croatia. The partnership grants access to Callan's structured 12-level curriculum, teaching materials, the CSPA digital platform, and ongoing pedagogical support. This is the only Callan-accredited school in Croatia.
• European Commission / Erasmus+ ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative is an Erasmus+ accredited organisation providing teacher training courses for educators across Europe. Courses cover the Callan Method, ICT in education, outdoor learning, storytelling, AI tools, and more. Funded mobility enables European teachers to attend in-person courses in Croatia.
• Calidus (Croatian Language Examination Institution)minorOthersCalidus administers the official verified examination for Croatian language A1.1 certification required for work permits. Initiative refers its Croatian language course students to Calidus for the exam (€140 fee, separate from course fee).
• www.english.hrminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe business English programs are also distributed via www.english.hr, a partner platform. Business inquiries for corporate clients are directed to this channel.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global education company offering English courses abroad, online, and corporate training. Comparable in product breadth (group, individual, corporate, online) though at vastly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Berlitz: Established global language school operator with proprietary immersion-style teaching methodology. Comparable in offering premium, method-led language instruction to both consumers and corporate clients, though at much larger scale and broader geography.
• Kaplan International Languages: Major English-language school chain with online and in-person delivery, including teacher training and corporate programs. Comparable in structured curriculum and multi-channel GTM.
• British Council: UK cultural institution delivering English teaching, teacher training, and exams globally. Comparable on accreditation, teacher training (Erasmus+ adjacency), and exam-aligned curriculum.

Direct peers

• Wall Street English: Global chain of method-driven English language schools with in-person and online delivery. Highly comparable to Initiative: premium-priced, structured proprietary method, classroom + digital blend, and corporate B2B offerings.
• International House: Network of accredited language schools worldwide using a standardized teaching approach with native-speaker teachers. Closely mirrors Initiative's blend of accredited curriculum, group/individual formats, and teacher training.

Emerging players

• Preply: Online marketplace for 1-on-1 language tutoring with native speakers. Comparable in native-speacher positioning and individual lesson pricing, though marketplace model differs from Initiative's owned curriculum.
• Lingoda: Online-native language school with live group and individual classes via Zoom and a structured curriculum. Comparable in online-first delivery and subscription model, though without the physical classroom footprint.

Regional players

• Škola za strance Filološki fakultet Zagreb: University-affiliated language school in Zagreb offering group and individual courses including Croatian for foreigners. Comparable as a Croatia-based provider of language instruction, especially Croatian-as-a-second-language courses that overlap with Initiative's A1.1 offering.
• LinguaLink (Croatia): Regional Croatian language school offering English and other languages with group and corporate programs. Comparable as a domestic competitor for general adult and business English instruction in Croatia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/inicijativa.biz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inicijativa-centarzaedukaciju

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Initiative - Centre for Education