Balkan Green Ideas is a regional program which supports social entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented by the Startup Studio of the Mozaik Foundation with the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The goal of the program is to provide financial and mentoring support to green ideas and businesses that will contribute to the development of local communities in a sustainable way. The three best ideas from Bosnia and Herzegovina will participate in the Balkan Green Ideas regional competition, which will be held in September 2021 in Serbia and Albania, organized by the Balkan Green Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
The top five winners will receive prizes of $ 10,000 and $ 5,000.
Don’t miss this opportunity, apply by midnight on May 23, 2021, and win financial and mentoring support to develop your idea or business.
What business ideas or businesses are we looking for?
We are looking for innovative ideas or businesses that rely on community resources to solve social problems while protecting the environment and adhering to the principles of sustainable development. These are business ideas that we want to contribute to the community without compromising resources for future generations. Sustainable development is important, so it is especially important to us that the idea or business contributes to the achievement of at least one of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Goal 2. End hunger;
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all;
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all;
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable;
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns;
Objective 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;
Objective 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
Last year’s winner of the Balkan Green Ideas competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Alen Jusupović with the idea of HotHouse, an innovative production of pellets from cardboard packaging. Here is his experience at the regional competition:
Last year, the finals of the competition were held online, but that did not diminish the feeling of adrenaline and competitive spirit. Before the final competition, we had mentoring support, and we were maximally ready to participate in the finals. Balkan Green Ideas is an excellent experience and a place where, in addition to the competition, you also learn, and through other competitors you learn about community problems and their solutions. My recommendation to everyone who has an idea to apply and present their solutions.
Depending on how developed it is, you can submit your idea in 2 categories:
- Idea – all those in the early stages of development, still testing or need to test the concept.
- Business – all those who already earn income for their idea (have a product or service that they sell on the market).
Individuals and informal groups can apply only for the Idea category, while registered businesses and NGOs can apply in both categories.
These are the criteria according to which we will choose/evaluate the most successful applications:
- Idea or business that is not older than 3 years from the date of opening the call;
- Idea or business that involves employment in the community, use of traditional knowledge and skills (i.e., craft) or otherwise relies on local resources;
- Idea or business that has a vision or plan to protect and improve the environment, i.e., environmentally sustainable idea/business;
- Idea or business that is based on a plan of gradual growth, i.e., whether it is economically viable;
- Idea or business that is based on an assessment of the local market, including its competition;
- Idea or business that is innovative compared to other businesses and ideas in the community;
- Idea or business that has a positive social impact.
Here are the important dates you need to know:
- May 23, 2021 is the deadline for applications;
- May 24 – June 1, 2021: review of applications and selection of the most successful ideas or businesses for “Demo Day 1”;
- In June 2021 (the exact date will be announced) on “Demo Day 1” the most successful will receive support for the development of prototypes up to 5,000 BAM or funds for joint investment up to 40,000 BAM (depending on the stage of development), mentoring support and the opportunity to present at the Balkan Green Ideas regional competition;
- In September 2021 (exact date will be announced) 3 best ideas or businesses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, selected on “Demo Day 1”, compete for the award in Serbia and Albania at the regional competition the Balkan Green Ideas.
Note: Demo Day 1 does not limit the number of teams that can receive support for prototype development or joint venture funds.
These are the prizes you can win at the Balkan Green Ideas regional competition in Serbia and Albania:
- In the category “Idea” $ 5,000 (2 awards)
- in the category “Business” $ 10,000 (3 awards).
Please apply for the Balkan Green Ideas no later than midnight on May 23, 2021 by filling out the application form HERE.
After you fill out the application form, you will receive an email with the next steps. If you need additional information, post a question in the comment section of the article or by send an email to avdo@mozaik.ba.
Good luck!
