Invitation to the Round Table

The national RTV Slovenia project "Talents of EU Regions" addresses a pressing European issue – the brain drain. This challenge particularly affects peripheral and cross-border regions, which are increasingly facing the outmigration of young people and a lack of development opportunities.

What do young people from the cross-border area of Nova Gorica and Gorizia think about this?
Do they feel there are real opportunities for personal and professional growth in their home region?
Is youth creativity being overlooked, or can it become a driving force for change?

At the round table, we will talk with young people about their perspectives, challenges, and ideas for the future. We will also highlight successful initiatives such as POPRI, which provides young people with practical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills. What impact does this have on their future and on society as a whole?

Date: May 27, 2025

Time: 10:00
Location: Secondary School S. Slataper, via Armando Diaz 20, Gorizia, Italy

Participants:

Mojca Mavec, the moderator

• Tjaž Saksida
• Nik Črv
• Jernej Rutar
• Clara Ricco
• Selma Varcar
• Alessandra Giordano

Join us for an engaging discussion on the future of talent at the heart of Europe, where borders don’t divide – they connect.

We look forward to welcoming you!

POPRI EUSAIR Youth, the esteemed international competition fostering entrepreneurial innovation among young talents across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region, concluded on a high note, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Following two days of intense competition and innovation, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the Youth Business Model Competition. The top three teams from both the high school and university categories have demonstrated exceptional creativity, vision, and commitment to addressing societal challenges through entrepreneurial endeavours.

HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY WINNERS

1st Place:

ReGlass, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Team members: Lidija Volf and Eva Kuruzović

Mentors: Neda Vasić, Suzana Gotovac Atlagić

Idea: ReGlass tackles the issue of glass waste by collecting and transforming it into high-quality, decolorized cullet used for producing glass jars, especially for the food industry. The process involves manganese dioxide to remove color, enhancing the glass’s value and closing the loop from waste to finished product.

2nd Place:

Risonic, North Macedonia

Team members: Sara Nikolova, Velincho Kjitanov, Mia Andreeva & Matea Sazdova

Roza Vojnovska & Snezhana Jordanova

Mentors: Gosho Vikentiev

Idea: Risonic is a sustainable, chemical-free cleaning paste made from rice husk – a natural and biodegradable solution ideal for eco-conscious households, families with children, and people with sensitive skin.

3rd Place:

Smart Net, Slovenia

Team members: Urška Medved, Nika Stepančič

Mentors: Urška Božič

Idea:

Smart Net is an innovative volleyball net that lights up when a player touches it, helping referees make more accurate decisions while preserving the game atmosphere.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CATEGORY WINNERS

1st Place:

INAMINUTE, Serbia

Team members: Miljana Ristic, Anja Gasparevic and Jelisaveta Ikodinovic

Mentors: /

Idea:

INAMINUTE develops nutritious, allergen-free food products using indigenous Serbian plum varieties. Their dehydrated porridge and bars are made from plum pulp – a by-product of the food industry – turning waste into functional food.

2nd Place:

PEAKBEATS, Slovenia

Team members: Lana Rakovec

Mentors:/

Idea:

PeakBeats is fitness software that adapts music in real-time to a user’s biometric data (heart rate, pace, intensity). It integrates with wearables and fitness platforms to boost workout motivation and efficiency via a B2B SaaS model.

3rd Place:

Inno Go, Greece

Team members: Christos Papanastasiou, Stergios Chaitoglou, Emmanouil Doxastakis. Emmanouil Polychronakis, Ioanna Theodosiou

Mentors: Nikolaos Sifakis

Idea: Inno Go offers innovative urban mobility solutions, automating transport services for smarter, more sustainable cities.

AWARD: SMARTCITY HACK – Nova Gorica, 16–17 October 2025

These winning teams have not only showcased their entrepreneurial excellence but have also earned an exclusive opportunity to participate in SMARTCITY HACK, a dynamic innovation hackathon focusing on urban energy transformation.

SMARTCITY HACK will bring together high school and university winning teams to tackle the critical challenge of achieving net-zero buildings and creating smarter, greener cities. Participants will collaborate with industry mentors, technology experts, and policy innovators to prototype solutions that will shape the sustainable urban environments of tomorrow.

Organized by Danfoss Slovenia and supported by SPIRIT Slovenia and the EUSAIR Facility Point, SMARTCITY HACK is part of the Interreg IPA ADRION project and will take place in Nova Gorica, the European Capital of Culture 2025.

"We are immensely proud of all the participants and congratulate the winning teams for their outstanding achievements," said Tanja Kožuh, CEO of Primorska Technology Park, the main organizer of POPRI EUSAIR Youth. "Their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit are truly inspiring and demonstrate the immense potential of youth-led initiatives in driving positive change."

One of the POPRI EUSAIR Youth events was attended by the Minister for cohesion and regional development Dr Aleksander Jevšek. In his speech the invited young people to use EUSAIR as a springboard to acquire new knowledge and broaden their horizons by looking beyond the borders of their countries and then tapping into newly acquired knowledge upon return home. He mentioned that EUSAIR POPRI initiative, is an excellent example of collaboration of young entrepreneurs from the 10 EUSAIR participating countries.

POPRI EUSAIR Youth continues to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering collaboration and creativity among young talents across the region. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.

🎉 We are thrilled to share some highlights from the Popri EUSAIR Youth Business Model Competition, which took place in May in the beautiful city of Šibenik alongside the 9th EUSAIR Forum! 🌟

Watch the video to see our talented winners and get a glimpse of the vibrant events at the forum. It was an inspiring experience filled with innovation, creativity, and a strong sense of community.

Check out the video 📹👇

Šibenik, Croatia –May 16, 2024 - POPRI EUSAIR Youth, the esteemed international competition fostering entrepreneurial innovation among young talents across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region, concluded on a high note, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Following two days of intense competition and innovation, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the Youth Business Model Competition. The top three teams from both the high school and university categories have demonstrated exceptional creativity, vision, and commitment to addressing societal challenges through entrepreneurial endeavours.

HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY WINNERS

1st Place: SLUGUARD, Slovenia

Team members: Maja Jernejc, Renata Jereb

Mentors: Mitja Turk, Jana Goršin Fabjan

SLUGUARD is a completely natural and innovative organic product used to control slugs and aphids. The main ingredient of the pest control is a mixture of alien invasive plants growing in Slovenia. The natural SLUGUARD preparation is suitable for gardeners and farmers (including organic growers) who want to use effective and environmentally friendly products on their cultivated surfaces.

2^nd Place: KERAGLOW, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Team: Anja Maričić and Smiljana Atlagić

Mentors: Suzana Gotovac Atlagić and Marija Stojaković

KERAGLOW is a completely natural product that supports the maintenance of the quality of our health, or to be more precise skin and hair health. The most interesting fact is that this product is based on pure keratin paste that may be obtained by washing and processing sheep's wool or chicken feathers that are acquired from local households in unique salts that are non-toxic to the environment. KERAGLOW is not only based on green production, but it is focused also on safe and healthy usage for people, smart ways to protect our environment, and better usage of Bosnian raw materials that are completely compatible with the circular economy.

3^rd place: TERRAMEA, North Macedonia

Team members: Matej Tanaskovski, Marko Petrovik, Jane Mitev , Franc Dolenc Mentors: Emilija Ampeva, Dusica Krango - Markoska

TERRAMEA toys are made from completely natural wood materials and organic textile elements (wool, cotton, silk), with ecologically certified glues.Ash, walnut, cherry, maple, birch, bamboo is some of the types of wood used to give the toy its shape. TERRAMEA toys stimulate the youngest to be creative and enter the world of imagination. The touch of natural materials, without harmful and chemical substances, color and without sharp edges, is a real refreshment for children surrounded by electronics, gadgets, tv screens and mobile phones. Our toys are not just instant entertainment, they are an endless source of fun and creativity.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CATEGORY WINNERS

1st place : Trash Feaster Vessel, Greece

Team members: Ernesto Sigalas, Marios Konstantoudakis

Mentor: Diomidis Katzourakis

The Trash Feaster Vessel is an autonomous vessel which aims to be used in marinas, harbors and other geofenced environments to collect floating trash and debris with minimal human intervention.  Trash floating on harbor water is not a rare sight. Quite often it happens due to drift of trash from the sea and possibly it has nothing to do with the actual environment that the trash accumulates. Still, besides the social economic impact and the visual impairment of tourist attractions, there is a biological downside for the environment that can be addressed with present engineering means.

2nd place: Humorganics: Modern approach to Vermicomposting, Serbia

Team members: Strahinja Vasiljević, Nenad Lazić

Humorganics is an innovative venture that significantly enhances the efficiency of organic fertilizer production. By leveraging advanced composting technology, Humorganics reduces the traditional composting period from 6-12 months to less than a month, allowing farmers to apply high-quality, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer exactly when needed.

3rd place:  WILDFIRE DETECTION SYSTEM, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Team members: Filip Beštić, Danilo Blažić, Dejan Simić, Dejan Ikić, Branislav Zorić

WILDFIRE DETECTION SYSTEM business model revolves around a system that utilizes drones equipped with cameras and neural networks to detect forest fires. These drones are capable of identifying fire outbreaks in natural environments and promptly sending signals for necessary actions to be taken. Our Wildfire Detection System features automated drone flights over a designated region, enhancing efficiency and coverage. Our potential customers include firefighter stations and forestry departments, who benefit from early and accurate fire detection to prevent and manage wildfires effectively. Depending on the neural network used, our system could potentially be adapted for other uses. This versatility allows us to offer additional value beyond wildfire detection, catering to a broader range of environmental monitoring needs.

AWARD:

These winning teams have not only showcased their entrepreneurial acumen but have also earned the exclusive opportunity to participate in FOOD-athon, a hackathon focusing on sustainable food supply, scheduled for October 16-18, 2024, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

"We are immensely proud of all the participants and congratulate the winning teams for their outstanding achievements," said Tanja Kožuh, CEO of Primorski tehnološki park, the main organizer of POPRI EUSAIR Youth. "Their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit are truly inspiring and demonstrate the immense potential of youth-led initiatives in driving positive change."

POPRI EUSAIR Youth continues to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering collaboration and creativity among young talents across the region. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.

Introducing: SMARTCITY HACK – Nova Gorica, 16 & 17 October 2025

We are excited to continue the tradition of rewarding the most promising young innovators from the POPRI EUSAIR Youth competition. This year, we proudly present SMARTCITY HACK, a dynamic hackathon that brings together high school and university winning teams for a unique innovation challenge!

SMARTCITY HACK will take place in Nova Gorica, Slovenia on 16 & 17 October 2025, and focuses on one of the most pressing issues of our time: urban energy transformation. The goal? To develop creative, practical solutions for achieving net-zero buildings and smarter, greener cities.

As cities grow and energy demands increase, we must rethink how we design, power, and live in our urban spaces. At SMARTCITY HACK, participants will join forces with industry mentors, technology experts, and policy innovators to prototype ideas that make sustainable urban living a reality.

This event is much more than a hackathon – it’s a platform to collaborate, learn, and make a real-world impact. Whether it’s optimizing energy flows, using data for smarter infrastructure, or designing low-carbon systems, your ideas will shape the cities of tomorrow.

SMARTCITY HACK is organized in collaboration with Danfoss Slovenia, with the support of SPIRIT Slovenia and the EUSAIR Facility Point, and is part of the Interreg IPA ADRION project.

This event is an exclusive reward for the winning teams of the POPRI EUSAIR Youth competition 2025 in both high school and university categories.

Join us in Nova Gorica, European Capital of Culture 2025 and be a driver of change for the cities of the future!

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Venue: Amadria Park Hotel, Conference Centre of Hotel Ivan,

Hoteli Solaris 86, 22000 Šibenik

EUSAIR POPRI youth is an international competition for the best entrepreneurial idea among young people from 10 Adriatic-Ionian countries. In 2024, the network of technology parks/regional agencies/schools, working together for the fourth time as a single innovative HUB, supported 200 young teams in the EUSAIR region by providing them with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.

EUSAIR POPRI youth will take place on 15 & 16 May, 2024 in Šibenik, Croatia, as a youth event within the EUSAIR Forum.

Events will be moderated by Ana Vlahov and Maria Mesarić.

**********

Wednesday, 15 May 2024         

Conference hall: Šibenik V    

18.00 – 19.30        Entrepreneurial Meetup and networking event

 »Building Tomorrow: Is Entrepreneurship Your Next Adventure?«

The best way to learn is to meet with experienced entrepreneurs and listen to their stories. Young people have the opportunity to meet Dr. Aleš Ekar and Nella Slavica, both successful entrepreneurs and managers. They will both share their knowledge and experience in the field of entrepreneurship, because we know that success stories can be an inspiration for young people; but failures are also part of our lives. Maria Mesarić, young POPRI ambassador, will present her entrepreneurial experience and share it with her peers.

Aleš Ekar, CEO at Iskra Shipyard – He leads another business venture of the Zagreb business group - ELKA is a successful manager who is well acquainted with the challenges of business relaunches and restructurings, and is also experienced in the high mobility and networking in this regional international business environment as he was a CEO of Helios Hrvatska, Color Trade and Belinka Hrvatska.

Nella Slavica is a Director of the Public Institute of Krka National Park. The director manages a 109 km² protected area with seven waterfalls, five medieval fortresses, two monasteries, a Roman military camp, a visitor center, Krka Eco Campus in Puljane, 47 km of hiking trails, 388 km of bike routes, 1,197 plant species, 1,058 animal species, caves, and pits. Krka National Park spans four cities and three municipalities, fostering community engagement among its nearly 400 employees who welcome over a million visitors annually..

Maria Mesarić, entrepreneur & young POPRI ambassador – very internationally oriented, having participated in Erasmus exchange programs in Latvia, Poland, and Portugal. She enriched her entrepreneurial experience in various companies and through various education programs, some of which included IT education, and working as an assistant to the president of the Croatian Music Institute. She is also paving her entrepreneurial path and will share her experience with the attendees at the event.

18:00   Short introduction by moderator Ana Vlahov

            Welcome note:

• Tanja Kožuh, CEO of Primorski tehnološki park
• Frane Šesnić, CEO of ZICER

Discussion with dr Aleš Ekar, Nella Slavica and Maria Mesarić.

20:00  Welcome cocktail for all participants of EUSAIR Forum

Mediterranean square

Thursday, 16th May 2024        

Conference hall: Šibenik V              

9:00 - 13:30          Youth business model competition

EUSAIR POPRI competition is an opportunity for young participants to present their ideas and contribute to the common good, live a sustainable, quality life, respect the principles of the circular economy and offer solutions to the problems of different people. The young participants prove to be responsible, ambitious members of society who should be listened to. Each business idea is a personal, national, but also international potential that can contribute to the growth and development of the region.

The jury, which will evaluate the young participants' business models and provide them with valuable feedback, is composed of startup experts, including Vanja Perić, Tina Koler, Ana Anžej, Michael Freer, Diana Mudrinić and Anna Quaia.

9.00 – 9.15      Short introduction from both moderators

            Welcome note:

• Petra Česen Čatar, National Coordinator, EU Macroregional Strategies, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Republic of Slovenia (3 min)
• Sanjin Vlastelica, Head of Division for European Macro-regions, Ministry  of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia (3 min)

Motivational introduction by young POPRI ambassador, Maria Mesarić, Software developer, Economist, Executive assistant

9.15 – 10.45                  

Presentation of business ideas - University students of EUSAIR countries

/Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, San Marino, Slovenia/

10.45 – 11.00                   Break

11.00 – 12.40                

Presentation of business ideas – High School students of EUSAIR countries

/Albania, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, San Marino, Slovenia/

12.40 – 14.00              Lunch Break

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15:00 - 16:30   AWARD CEREMONY - Young POPRI award

Welcome note:

• Gilles Kittel, Team Leader – Instrument for Pre-Accession, Enlargement Negotiations and EUSAIR, DG REGIO, European Commission (5 min)
• Tanja Kožuh, CEO Primorski tehnološki park, Slovenia (2 min)
• Vassilios Tselios, Expert Minister Counselor, EUSAIR National Coordinator Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic (2 min)

Announcement of best business ideas of High-school students and University students & award ceremony.

Official closure of the EUSAIR Forum

17.30   Optional project visit – Barone Fortress, Šibenik

A recognisable monument of cultural heritage in the city of Šibenik, whose renovation was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, IPA IIIC in 2016. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the Šibenik channel with a glass of local wine and melodies of Croatian traditional Klape ensemble.

17th May 2024                

Morning                            optional walk throug the city of Šibenik with a guide

10:00 – 15:00      Optional visit to National Park Krka -  fullybooked

The visit to one of Croatia’s most beautiful national parks will be offered on a first come first served basis. Participants must be registered on time, as only 50 spots are available.

Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia – 23 October 2023

Primorski tehnološki park (PTP) is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of a remarkable event, the POPRI Startup Challenge, held on October 22nd and 23rd, 2023. The event organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, the Danube Strategy Point, and the expertise of Transformation Lighthouse, have seen an unprecedented coming together of 50 young minds from all across Europe to address issues of talent retention, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.

2nd Danube Youth Camp: Reflecting on a Year of Achievements

Before the POPRI Startup Challenge, the 2nd Danube Youth Camp, starting on 20 October in Šempeter pri Gorici, served as a momentous occasion where  the Danube Youth Council (DYC) members gathered to reflect upon the accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned during their first DYC mandate. The event aimed to shape the future of the DYC, transitioning from a one-year Pilot Action to a long-term implementation format.

POPRI Startup Challenge: From talents to Danube Region's Strenghts

The POPRI Startup Challenge (22-23 October) conducted with the support of Primorski tehnološki park was an exciting and intensive hackathon-style event, bringing together 50 young participants, mentors and experts from diverse backgrounds and regions. Over the course of two days, they collaborated, innovated, and applied their skills to propose innovative solutions that can help stem the tide of talent leaving the region.

"In Search of Talents – the Power of Youth" Panel Discussion

On Monday, October 23, a compelling panel discussion, "In Search of Talents – the Power of Youth," took place. The panel served as a platform for these young participants to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the European Commission representative Elisa Cocco, European Capital of Culture Programme Director Stojan Pelko, and entrepreneur Ursula Levrenčič. During this insightful exchange, the students presented the outcomes of their brainstorming sessions and hackathon work, providing fresh insights into how Europe can harness its youth power to address the challenges of brain drain.

Petra Česen Čatar, Slovene national coordinator for EUSDR, EUSAIR, and EUSALP:

"These capacity building events have underlined the importance of youth engagement in addressing the challenges our regions are facing. The solutions proposed during the POPRI Startup Challenge and the discussions at the Annual Forum panel offer valuable recommendations  for our collective efforts in creating a brighter future for our communities."

Tanja Kožuh, CEO of Primorski tehnološki park:

"We are honoured to have hosted this extraordinary assembly of young leaders. The reflection workshop was an invaluable opportunity for them to share experiences and chart the path forward, ensuring their contributions to our communities remain impactful and lasting."

Continuing Impact at the 12th EUSDR Annual Forum

The journey doesn't end here. All young participants  will physically participate in the 12th EUSDR Annual Forum, held in Brdo pri Kranju on October 24th, 2023. During the forum, they will present the outcomes of the POPRI Startup Challenge and share the insights gained from their DYC mandate with stakeholders, the Danube Region Strategy community, and beyond.

Primorski tehnološki park is proud to have played a pivotal role in hosting these transformative events. The knowledge, experience, and recommendations gathered during the the POPRI Startup Challenge, with the expertise of Transformation Lighthouse, will continue to shape the future of our communities, ensuring a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow.

From talents to Danube Region’s strenghts

October 20-25, 2023 Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia

Welcome to the 2nd Danube Youth Camp, POPRI Startup Challenge, and the 12th EUSDR Annual Forum!

We are excited to present a series of impactful events dedicated to empowering and engaging youth in the Danube Region. These events, organized under the auspices of the Slovenian EUSDR Presidency, will bring together young talents, future leaders, and key stakeholders to address crucial challenges facing our region.

Event Highlights

2nd Danube Youth Camp (October 20-21)

• Reflect on the first-ever Danube Youth Council (DYC) mandate.
• Discuss experiences, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Formulate recommendations for the DYC’s future work.

POPRI Startup Challenge (October 22-23)

• Enhance entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
• Address the importance of young talents and tackle brain drain.
• Create recommendations for a thriving Danube Region.

“In Search of Talents – The Power of Youth” Panel (October 23)

• Featuring young participants.
• Panelists: Elisa Cocco, European Commission / DG REGIO, Stojan Pelko, ECOC 2025 Program Manager, Ursula Lavrenčič, Hopalai.
• The panel is open to all interested participants.

12th EUSDR Annual Forum (October 24-25)

• A platform for DYC members to present their outcomes and learnings.
• Engage with EUSDR stakeholders and the broader Danube Region Strategy community.

What Attendees Will Experience

• Acquire valuable skills and knowledge. • Engage with industry experts and mentors. • Connect with peers from diverse backgrounds within the Danube, Alpine, Baltic and Adriatic – Ionian Regions. • Gain deep insights into influencing the future of Europe

Contact Us

For inquiries or more information about these events, please contact: Bojana Cipot (POPRI Startup Challenge) Email: bojana.cipot@primorski-tp.si Phone: +386 41 676 188

We look forward to providing you with valuable information about these events and their significance in empowering youth and shaping a brighter future for the Danube Region.

The Primorska Technology Park, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, the Danube Strategic Point, and Transformation Lighthouse, is organizing the POPRI Startup Challenge Hackathon. The event, where young individuals will seek solutions to the pressing issue of "brain drain," will take place on October 22nd and 23rd, 2023. This project will connect young people from various countries, equip them with new knowledge and skills, with the aim that they can contribute today with their experience and knowledge, shaping both their own and our future.

We invite you to a panel discussion titled "In Search of Talents – The Power of Youth," which will be held at the Primorski Technology Park in the large lecture hall on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, starting at 2:00 PM.

The panel will feature young individuals who will present their perspectives and recommendations regarding the importance of their involvement in activities. Additionally, there will be a representative from the European Commission responsible for youth, a representative from EPK2025, and an entrepreneur.

The search for talents and the involvement of young people in activities are of paramount importance in creating an inspiring and diverse environment in which the youth can contribute to the development of companies, the institutions in which they are employed, and society at large. The panel discussion will address the current challenges that young people face in integrating and developing their talents, which subsequently also affects the issue of "brain drain." This roundtable is also an opportunity to become acquainted with the stories of entrepreneurs who have their own experiences of working abroad and collaborating with young individuals.

You are warmly invited to join us at the Primorska Technology Park!

Vrtojba, Sarajevo , 25.5.2023

The competition POPRI EUSAIR YOUTH took place on 24 and 25 May in Sarajevo. Students from all countries of the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region competed for the third year in a row to win with their innovative ideas in the form of business models. They were judged by a prestigious international entrepreneurship jury. The event took place within the framework of the EUSAIR Forum, the largest event for high-level representatives of the Adriatic-Ionian countries, which this year is led by Bosnia and Herzegovina. The organiser of the EUSAIR POPRI youth competition is Primorska Technology Park (PTP) in cooperation with Inovacioni Centar Banja Luka (ICBL) .

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

Popri is a competition that has been promoting entrepreneurship among young people since 2004. The initiative was launched in Nova Gorica, expanded to the whole of Slovenia and internationalised in 2021. It is a model for the development of knowledge and the active participation of young people in shaping their own future. To this end, Primorska Technology Park has joined forces with partners from the Adriatic-Ionian region who want to support and encourage young people in the long term. The partners are Auleda Vlore from Albania, Inovacioni Centar Banja Luka from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zagreb Innovation Centre ZICER from Croatia, Studentski Biznis Centar Univerziteta Donja Gorica from Montenegro, Centre for Knowledge Management from Northern Macedonia, Business Incubator Novi Sad from Serbia, Step C Science and Technology Park of Crete from Greece and San Marino Innovation from San Marino. In Sarajevo, the POPRI International EUSAIR Youth Competition brought together the best teams of young people, selected from a large number of teams from each of the participating countries, to present their entrepreneurial ideas. This year, around 300 teams took part.

POPRI International EUSAIR youth is a process of learning about entrepreneurship and business initiative that takes place over several months before the actual competition. During this time, teams develop their business idea into a business model in written form and present it orally in an entrepreneurial pitch at the competition, which takes place in front of a panel of experts. The jury was composed of prominent female entrepreneurs and international experts from Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Ana Vlahov, Urša Žorž Požrl, Maja Lukić Grabovac, Melisa Hujić, Adela Ramić, Aida Kosović.

SUPPORTERS

The youth project EUSAIR POPRI is made possible by the European Commission, the EUSAIR Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia, the Facility Point project. The event is sponsored by the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorizia and SID Bank.

WINNERS

1st PLACE – HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY.

Kaja Gavrilović, Jana Simić, Rastko Petrović, Tatjana Zivadinović

Mentors: Ana Ivic Veljković

1. PLACE – UNIVERSITY STUDENT CATEGORY: VeYo, Serbia

Tamara Živanović, Duška Rakin, Sara Živanović, Milica Milutinović, Aleksa Simić

Mentors: Marica Rakin, Maja Bulatović

2. PLACE – HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

2nd PLACE - STUDENTS: HIT HOT App, Slovenia

Taj Ražem, Sajra Makić, An Semolič

Lucija Filipčič Križaj, Patricija Kastelic Volf

2. PLACE – UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:

Rabbit Sausages and Roasts, Slovenia

Tilen Volkar, Gašper Pršina, Nejc Hudoklin, Jernej Gačnik

Mentors: Andreja Gril Novak, Ana Marjanović, Simon Jeraj

3. PLACE – HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

MILAIO, Albania

Anamari Sulcaj, Kamila Abazi, Joana Dhiamandi

Andi Andoni, Nikolla Pulla

3. PLACE - STUDENTS:

Citrus peel flour, North Macedonia

Monika Spasovska, Rabije Mahmudi

Mentor: Andrijana Bogdanovska

PRIZE FUND

PRIZE FOR FIRST-LEAD TEAMS - POPRI Startup Challenge

The first place teams will participate in the POPRI Startup Challenge in Nova Gorica, Slovenia in October 2023.

The prize is made possible by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

PRIZE FOR THE SECOND-PLACED TEAMS - GO! 2025 Prize without Borders

The second-placed teams will visit the European Capital of Culture 2025, Nova Gorica - Gorizia, in autumn 2023.

The prize is made possible by. Nova Gorica Gorizia European Capital of Culture

PRIZE FOR THIRD PLACED TEAMS – Individual market test

Third place teams will receive an individual market and product potential testing programme with a successful startup entrepreneur

The prize is made possible by Primorska technology park

PARALLEL EVENTS

In addition to the competition, three other events took place, including a roundtable organised by RTV Slovenia and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Sarajevo. In addition, all event participants had the opportunity to interact with successful entrepreneurs and a gala was organised to announce the results and award the prize. The events were moderated and hosted by Jamila Milović-Halilović. Guests Erna Šošević, an entrepreneur, and Dragan Vlačić, a manager and expert in software and IT, shared their experiences with the young people.