Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon Supported by SEDEP: Young Innovators Bring Green and Digital Ideas

This platform connects education and the economy, enabling young innovators from vocational high schools to develop their ideas and gain practical experience.

Bosnia and Herzegovina faces labor market challenges such as a lack of practical skills, a mismatch between education and labor market needs, and slow adoption of digital and green technologies. That is why projects like the Ideathon are becoming key to strengthening economic progress and sustainable development.

Innovation Through Practical Experience

During the workshops held as part of Sarajevo Unlimited, participants presented their ideas through interactive sessions, developing creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Particularly engaging were the sessions on 3D and additive technologies presented by Fablab (Digital Fabrication Laboratory), a member of the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) Digital Storm.
The workshops highlighted the importance of innovation and new technologies as drivers of development and opportunities for young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year’s Ideathon — a continuation of the collaboration between the SEDEP program, implemented by GIZ, and Sarajevo Unlimited — demonstrates how actively young people are engaged in developing ideas on digitalization and green transition. Representatives of GIZ emphasized the importance of this cooperation.

“The great interest of schools and students shows how important it is to give young people space for innovation and practical expression of their ideas. Through mentoring sessions and work with experts, young people develop skills that connect education and the economy, contributing to sustainable and innovative solutions for the future labor market,”
said Majda Tolić, Advisor for Vocational Education at GIZ.

GIZ provides similar support for the development of young talent through other initiatives focused on digitalization and the green economy.

“In May this year, during the first edition of the Summer School, graduates from ten vocational schools across Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated exceptional knowledge, creativity, and adaptability in solving real industrial problems related to digitalization and the green economy. The participation of nine teams from six vocational schools from the Sarajevo Canton in the Ideathon held within the Sarajevo Unlimited conference is an excellent indicator of the interest and engagement of young people in topics that will shape the world in the coming years,”
said Krunoslav Rašić, Advisor at GIZ.

Connecting Education and Economy for Sustainable Development

The Ideathon not only encourages innovative thinking but also directly contributes to the goals of the SEDEP program: it promotes digital skills, entrepreneurship, and awareness of sustainability among vocational school students; enhances the quality of education through practical experience; and strengthens the link between schools and the private sector.

Through SEDEP, support focuses on five key areas: implementing digital and green solutions, strengthening the resilience of small and medium enterprises, improving dual vocational education, developing start-ups, and improving the quality of practical training.

Initiatives like the Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon show that young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the potential, knowledge, and motivation to be agents of change. With the support of international partners and local initiatives, Bosnia and Herzegovina is gradually building the foundations for a more competitive, sustainable, and innovative economy — one that doesn’t wait for change but creates it.

The participants presented their ideas and solutions developed during the workshops at the Sarajevo Unlimited Forum, held on November 5–6 at Hotel Hills, where they were joined by industry leaders, institutions, and international organizations.