BASIC PROJECT INFORMATION

Financial Instrument: International Visegrad Fund
Type of Action: Youth social entrepreneurship, capacity building, innovation, regional cooperation
Project Status: Ongoing
Implementation Period: February 2026 – January 2027

Funded by: International Visegrad Fund
Lead Organization: Youth Alliance – Krusevo

Project Partners:
Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation (Serbia), European Foundation for Human Development (Poland), Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Ltd (Italy), Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic), NGO PRIMA (Montenegro), Democracy for Development (Kosovo), Regional Development Agency Senec-Pezinok (Slovakia)

Overall Objective:
To strengthen youth engagement in social entrepreneurship by enhancing their competencies, fostering innovative solutions, and promoting collaboration within social entrepreneurial ecosystems at local, national, and international levels.

PROJECT LOGIC

IF young people are provided with practical knowledge, mentoring, and opportunities to develop and test social entrepreneurial ideas, AND IF they are connected across countries and supported through structured learning, collaboration, and visibility mechanisms,
THEN they will become more active contributors to their communities, develop innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges, and strengthen social entrepreneurship ecosystems in the Western Balkans and Visegrad regions.

This approach addresses key challenges such as youth passivity, brain drain, and the lack of innovative solutions by empowering young people to take ownership of change and engage in impact-driven entrepreneurship.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

The project is designed as a combination of coordination, capacity building, mentoring, international exchange, and visibility actions:

1. Preparatory Kick-off Meeting (Online)
A one-day coordination meeting was organized to align partners on project implementation, division of responsibilities, financial procedures, communication mechanisms, and visibility requirements. This activity ensured a shared understanding and smooth project start.

2. Online Mentoring Program for Young Social Entrepreneurs
A structured mentoring program will be implemented involving young participants from all partner countries.

• Around 5 young people per country will participate
• Each partner will nominate a mentor
• The program will be divided into two phases:
  • Phase 1: Capacity building (social entrepreneurship, business planning, communication, marketing)
  • Phase 2: Development of concrete social business ideas in international teams

This activity aims to equip young people with practical entrepreneurial skills and support them in transforming ideas into viable concepts.

3. International Collaboration and Idea Development
Selected participants will work in cross-country teams, supported by mentors, to co-create social entrepreneurial solutions addressing real community challenges, strengthening regional cooperation and peer learning.

4. International Pitch Event (Krusevo, North Macedonia)
A 3-day international event will bring together young participants, mentors, and stakeholders.

• Participants will pitch their ideas to an international audience
• Sessions will include networking, discussions, and experience sharing
• Focus will be placed on practical support mechanisms for young social entrepreneurs

The event will serve as a key platform for visibility, validation, and further development of ideas.

5. Networking and Ecosystem Building
Throughout the project, participants will engage with stakeholders from civil society, academia, and regional development sectors, fostering partnerships and strengthening social entrepreneurship ecosystems.

6. Communication and Dissemination Activities
A comprehensive communication strategy will be implemented, including:

• Development of project visual identity and communication plan
• Continuous promotion through social media and partner channels
• Video storytelling of youth ideas and experiences
• Media outreach and press releases
• Publication of learning materials and project results

These activities aim to increase awareness, ensure visibility, and transfer knowledge to a broader audience.

7. Knowledge Sharing and Sustainability
Project outputs, including mentoring materials, lessons learned, and developed ideas, will be documented and made publicly available to support future young social entrepreneurs and ensure long-term impact.