!!! The deadline for Western Balkans R&I Youth Awards is 18 April 2025 !!!

18 February 2025 – 18 April 2025

About the Awards

The Western Balkans R&I Youth Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding youth-focused initiatives from the Western Balkans that have significantly managed to get youth involved in research and innovation between 2020 and 2024. These awards aim to increase the visibility of Western Balkans (WB) youth-focused R&I success stories, showcase inspiring WB initiatives that encourage careers in R&I and, promote learning and professional upskilling opportunities in research and innovation (R&I).

The Western Balkans R&I Youth Awards are organised by FITD under the WP5, Pilot Activates – of the Horizon Europe funded project POLICY ANSWERS. “R&I POLICY making, implementation ANd Support in the WEsteRn BalkanS”, Grant Agreement 101058873. A project launched on 1 March 2022 for a period of four years.

Why Participate?

The “Western Balkans R&I Youth Awards” offer participants the chance to:

• Be one of six award winners from the region
• Win an up to EUR 8,000 award for your success story
• Gain regional recognition for your impactful youth-focused initiatives
• Showcase successful models of involving youth in R&I
• Inspire the next generation of young professionals
• Network with students, educators, innovators, and industry leaders, creating potential partnerships and collaboration

Who can apply?

This call is open to legally established organisations (Micro enterprises, SMEs, CSOs, schools, universities, or other entities) based in or focused on the WB (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia).

Eligible initiatives must:

• Be youth-focused (targeting individuals aged 15-29, typically in secondary school, high school, or early university/career stages)
• Have been implemented between 2020 and 2024

Focus on involving youth in one or more of the following areas:

• Research (e.g., in STEM fields, digital or green technologies)
• Innovation (e.g., innovative entrepreneurship, business development, endeavours in creative sectors)

Demonstrate tangible outcomes and substantial impact evidenced by data.

To demonstrate tangible outcomes and substantial impact, the participants are asked to provide evidence e.g., for:

• Measurable results: Increased participation in STEM activities, higher enrolment in relevant educational programmes, or successful startups launched by young people.
• Compelling Stories: Sharing stories of young people whose lives have been positively impacted by the initiative.
• Recognition and awards: Any previous recognition or awards received by the initiative.
• Endorsements: Letters of support or testimonials from educators, community leaders, or other stakeholders.
• Sustainability: Evidence that the initiative has a plan for continued impact beyond the funding period (if applicable).

Be WB-focused

You can read more about this award by following the link here.