For the first time, Serbia is hosting the best European student company contest, bringing together high school students hailing from 37 European countries in downtown Belgrade. The students will present services and products they designed and developed themselves. In total, 39 student companies will present their products at an ad hoc fair located in Obilicev venac Street. The 29th edition of the contest was organised by the Junior Achievement Europe with support from the Ministry of Economy of Serbia, the US Agency for International Development, the European Commission and several companies.

Opening the fair, the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said that the project was aimed at young people who represent the future of Serbia and the EU. He described entrepreneurship as the state of mind, noting that “20 per cent of students who take part in such projects are 3-5 times more likely to start their own business.” He said the goal of the contest was to improve the business environment. According to him, “the EU has supported education reform in Serbia with EUR80 million.”

Fonet

US Ambassador to Serbia Kyle Scott told contestants that by merely showing up in Belgrade they were all winners and were all offered an opportunity to learn from one another.

The Minister of Education Mladen Sarcevic said that “youth entrepreneurship is developing quickly in Serbia, with some 250 schools having their own student companies.” He said that technology and entrepreneurship is being introduced in elementary schools as a school subject, development of pupil and student companies as well as student cooperatives is fostered, while the Law on Dual Education is being enforced in high schools.

The Mayor of Belgrade Zoran Radojicic wished these young people welcome, adding that Europe faces promising future with young people who stand ready to become leaders.

Fonet

High school students from across Europe are offering their services and products, such as cricket chocolate bars, algorithm-based bicycle lighting systems, furniture made from used up skateboards, underground capsules for early detection of forest fires, home appliances that turn cooking oil into soaps or candles, etc.

Groove Street Company – started by students of the Fifth Economic School in Belgrade – represents Serbia in the fair. This company has developed an innovative product aimed at patients with chronic diseases: a QR code wristband that provides information regarding the first aid that fits the person’s medical condition.

Members of the jury are employees of some of the biggest companies in the world and will announce winners at a ceremony that takes place at the Belekspo centre tonight.