Balkathon 4.0 - Online Regional Competition

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is organising Balkathon – “Smarten up for the future”, a regional online competition that encourages Western Balkan (WB) collaboration, co-creation and real-life change, with the idea to help the region, businesses and citizens to strengthen their resilience to global challenges. Balkathon brings together young innovative people, start-ups, digital innovation centres, science parks, universities, small and medium enterprises, etc. from the Western Balkan region in order to trigger digital innovative and practical business solutions in different areas.

In July 2020, RCC organised the first-ever regional competition on digital smart solutions Balkathon, as an agile solution to support the region to recover from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the second edition Balkathon 2.0 in May 2021. Of 90 applicants, 37 teams with over 120 team members were shortlisted and got an opportunity to work with assigned mentors, while 12 finalists presented their ideas to the expert jury that decided on 6 winners (one winner per each thematic area and two special awards).

Following the good practice, RCC is organising the fourth edition of Balkathon that will focus on fresh innovative digital ideas and solutions in three thematic areas that will mark this year’s competition.

At Balkathon 4.0 we focus on (1) Sustainable Tourism, (2) Green Economy, and (3) Entrepreneurship. As it was the case with the previous competitions, the digital solutions must include innovative technological ideas with a clear explanation of their implementation and sustainability in one of the above mentioned areas.

Balkathon 4.0 is open for teams composed of participants coming from Western Balkan economies. Teams are encouraged to include amongst their members qualified individuals; ICT companies; students; non-governmental organisations; educational institutions; start-up companies; etc.

By participating in Balkathon 4.0 you will get a two-day mentoring programme with experienced experts, opportunity to win 10.000 euro for your idea, and additional mentoring support to implement your idea in the Western Balkan region.

Applications are available here, and are open until 13 September 2023 (12:00h CET).

What's it About

• E-COMMERCE, VIRTUAL PROMOTION TOOLS, VIDEO AND INFLUENCE MARKETING: Creation of different digital marketing tools and services in order to innovate consumer shops, reach new markets, conduct businesses, and maintain customers’ trust.
• AGRICULTURE, FOODTECH & RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Digital solutions for the enhancement of primary sector in the Western Balkans and the management and processing of WB agriculture products.
• RENEWABLE/ SUSTAINABLE ENERGY: Innovative ideas that help manage and generate renewable /sustainable sources more efficiently, energy-saving.
• TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS: Submit your ideas to address the growing pressures on the city’s resources, transport networks, and logistic infrastructure. Logistics includes all tasks such as planning, controlling and optimising the entire process in the value chain.
• MISCELLANEOUS: Technology or service-based ideas in tertiary sectors like MedTech/BioTech/HealthTech, Blockchain and Cybersecurity, Entertainment and Gaming and Clean, and Green Technologies.