BIOSTARS – Call for Young Innovators

Do you have an idea that could improve your community?
Do you have an idea that could improve your local area, create new opportunities for young people and the local economy, or contribute to greater sustainability? Have you already started or are you planning to develop an innovative project and need support to take the next step?

BIOSTARS is an opportunity to present and develop your idea and connect with people and organisations from other rural areas across the Mediterranean.

The European BIOSTARS project is launching a call aimed at identifying, supporting and promoting young talent in each of its territories, including Sarajevo Canton.

The Call is open from 7 September to 31 October 2026 and is intended for young people aged 35 or under who have an innovative idea or project at an early stage of development – no more than two years old – that can contribute to the sustainable development of local and rural communities.

Applicants are not required to have a registered company or a fully developed project. BIOSTARS aims to identify ideas with potential and provide support to young people who are at the very beginning of developing their ideas, helping them turn those ideas into projects with a real positive impact. Participation is open to students, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, members of informal groups, as well as all young people with an initiative related to the objectives of this Call. Applications may be submitted individually or as a team, provided that at least one team member is aged 35 or under.

In Sarajevo Canton, young people who live or carry out their academic, professional or business activities in the Municipality of Hadžići, an associated partner of the project, are eligible to participate.

What kind of ideas is BIOSTARS looking for?

Rural and local innovation can emerge in a wide range of fields, and BIOSTARS aims to open the Call to precisely this diversity of ideas.

Proposals may be related to:

Rural innovation;
Bioeconomy;
Sustainable development;
Circular economy;
Renewable energy sources;
Green transition;
Sustainable food systems;
Nature-based solutions;
Digital innovation applied in rural areas and the bioeconomy;
Youth entrepreneurship;
Social innovation.
BIOSTARS is looking for ideas, prototypes and projects in the early stages of development that have the potential to generate a positive impact on the environment and/or the social and economic development of local and rural communities.

Much more than recognition

Application period: 7 September – 31 October 2026

The highest-rated application will be selected as the BIOSTARS Territorial Youth Innovator and will represent Sarajevo Canton within the BIOSTARS Youth Platform, an international community connecting young innovators from six rural territories across the Mediterranean.

The selected candidate will receive the BIOSTARS Youth Innovators Pack, a support programme combining:

specialised training;
mini-incubation and mentoring;
the Boost your Idea programme;
networking opportunities and connections with other young innovators;
international visibility through the role of BIOSTARS Youth Ambassador.
Final event in Sarajevo

The programme will culminate in Sarajevo in March 2027, where selected young innovators from the six participating rural territories will meet at the final BIOSTARS conference. During the conference, they will have the opportunity to present their projects, exchange experiences, connect with other young innovators and develop new opportunities for cooperation.

On this occasion, an international jury will select the BIOSTARS International Youth Innovator.

How to apply?

Interested applicants should complete the BIOSTARS Application Form and submit it no later than 31 October 2026. More information about the Call is available in the Guide for Applicants.

The application form will request basic information about the individual or team, the innovative idea or project, its current stage of development, the BIOSTARS priority area to which the project contributes, the expected impact on the territory, and the motivation for participating.

Applicants may also choose to include photographs or a short video presentation of their idea/project. SERDA will provide support to interested applicants throughout the application process and will be available to answer questions regarding the Call, eligibility criteria and application procedure.

Don’t forget!

Target group: young people aged up to and including 35
Territory: applicants must live in the Municipality of Hadžići (Sarajevo Canton) or carry out economic or professional activities there
Best application: BIOSTARS Territorial Youth Innovator
International opportunity: BIOSTARS Youth Platform and the international network of young innovators
Final conference: Sarajevo, March 2027
Information and support: SERDA – Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency; maja@serda.ba and serda@serda.ba

Do you have an idea? Take it forward with BIOSTARS!

If you have an idea that can contribute to a more sustainable future for Sarajevo Canton and rural areas, BIOSTARS wants to hear from you.

Turn your idea into an opportunity. Become part of a new generation of rural innovators across the Mediterranean.