Purteka. Gardening for children (Albania) - The business idea consists in investing in a “mobility” store for selling gardening products, such as the “Gardening for Children” book, which offers information for the plantation of 38 plants in indoor conditions in the form of small projects, packets of edible plant seeds, a manual and instructions to be used by children at home, as well as other gardening objects such as tote bags, watering cans, bee hotels, free-range bird feeders, flowers, vegetables, and tree seedlings and much more.
Danja’s Raspberries (Albania) - The idea consists of the cultivation of raspberry fruit, thus bringing a new product to the area of Vau i Dejës and offering to the consumers an organic fruit certified according to the “Organic” standard, with high nutritional values. Through the support from the Competition, the aim is to expand the activity in Shkodra and Lezha Districts, increase the capacities for cultivation and storage, as well as the diversification of the raspberry product, otherwise known as the “Red Gold”.
Reality Escapers Albania (Albania) - This is a tour operator that provides tourist services mainly in outdoor sports, such as hiking, camping, bird watching and kayak tours in the areas around the Vlora district. Through the support from the Competition, Reality Escapers Albania will offer a new tour service “hiking” tours, which includes hiking in Çika Mountain, the fantastic wild bays of the Karaburun Peninsula, water caves, kayaking in the lower basin of the Vjosa River and the Narta Lagoon of Zvernec, as well as the birdwatching activity.
Recycling PET Revolution (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - is a project set to be realized in Zavidovići and beyond. In the Zavidovići area alone, over 15 tons of waste find their way to rivers and other natural treasures, with a significant portion being recyclable plastic bottles. The initiative aims to strategically place collection bins or containers in every local community within Zavidovići, as well as appropriate receptacles in residential buildings, enabling residents and citizens to dispose of PET packaging properly. When these bins are full, a redemption system will be in place, with the funds generated from recycling being channelled back into community improvements, overseen by local representatives or building management. This innovative approach not only engages the entire community in environmental conservation but also empowers them to enhance their living environment.
MAGBAGO (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - an avant-garde project that harnesses the potential of vegan materials like orange silk, bamboo, and more. With an eco-conscious ethos, the brand aims to transform the Bosnian and Herzegovinian fashion landscape, offering sustainable alternatives that bridge the gap between premium natural and synthetic fabrics. Embracing a zero-waste design philosophy, the collection presents staple pieces for every occasion. With aspirations to reach the EU market and beyond, this initiative heralds a transformative approach to style and sustainability.
Humperia (Bosnia and Herzegovina)- mission revolves around fashion that leaves no footprint, showcased through a zero-waste collection. This initiative not only highlights our dedication to waste-free production but also celebrates the artistry of crafting bags from natural materials like jute. Beyond aesthetics, our journey intertwines with fair trade principles and empowering small producers, fostering growth in communities that have been adversely impacted by talent migration.
Panacea (Kosovo) - Their plan involves the cultivation of aloe vera plants, not only promoting sustainable agriculture but also empowering women through skill development and economic independence.
Vesh Desh (Kosovo) - Is an online platform for selling and buying used clothes. This innovative idea not only promotes recycling and upcycling of clothing items but also addresses the growing concern about fast fashion's environmental impact.
Ventius (Kosovo) - uses a method of producing mushrooms from coffee waste. By recycling coffee grounds to cultivate mushrooms, Ventius not only tackles the issue of coffee waste disposal but also offers a sustainable source of nutritious food.
DMEN (Montenegro) - is an idea of the NGO Association of Young Ecologists, Nikšić, which refers to the construction of a pontoon raft with a house on the “Slano” Lake, with the aim of tourism valorization and ecological promotion of the lake. The idea promotes environmental protection in such a way that for the needs of lighting, mobile devices, and refrigerators, use solar energy obtained through solar panels, which will be placed on the roof of the raft and the food that will be prepared on the raft will be processed according to the principle of solar cooking.
BeBeep (Montenegro) - platform allows users to have simple and more comfortable transportation, as well as to save money on long-distance trips by sharing costs (petrol, tolls, etc.) with one or more other passengers. The focus of the platform will be on user safety, and it was developed by three men from Podgorica filled with enthusiasm, Petar Sekulić, Marko Lalić and Ivo Rasović. The rating system allows users to review and rate their potential trip partners before accepting a ride. Online payment will provide additional financial security, and users will be able to create a community that will make their trip a pleasant and safe experience. Carpooling contributes to environmental protection reducing harmful gas emissions and the consumption of fossil fuels.
Mushrooming (Montenegro) - is the idea of Danilo Novović from the town of Pljevlja, based on the branding of dried or fermented mushrooms as the final product in the Pljevlja area. Field education of the local community on sustainable mushroom collection, which will raise awareness about the importance and need for forest protection, through the influence of mushroom farming on the forest ecosystem itself. It is planned construction of the mushroom dryer, will enable the local population to switch from the sale of raw products to a significantly more profitable final product, and it will significantly influence and strengthen the local economy.
Mirjana Josifoska (North Macedonia) - Produces products using textile waste from local factories that help to reduce textile waste and its environmental impact. The brand utilizes the leftover scraps from hat production to create smaller accessories like scrunchies. Additionally, all of our products are biodegradable, decomposing within a timeframe of 6 weeks to 6 months.
Yovanka (North Macedonia) - Is the first fashion brand from North Macedonia that focuses on ethical practices. They specialize in handcrafted fashion accessories using crochet techniques, ensuring zero waste in their production process. Yova goes beyond just creating durable products; they prioritize ethical considerations throughout the entire life cycle of their items. This includes the materials used, the working conditions, and even what happens to the product at the end of its life. Moreover, Yovanka is dedicated to supporting women, as single mothers and women make their products from vulnerable categories and rural areas.
Blagojce Najdovski's Apico-Pro - (North Macedonia) - is a groundbreaking, insect-based protein superfood designed for the whole family's health. This innovative product combines locally produced chickpeas, a well-known vegetable protein, with a highly nutritious powder made from drone larvae. The larvae are dried under vacuum conditions with freezing, a process called lyophilization, to retain their nutritional value. This company aims to make the entire range of products showcased in the competition readily available in stores.
Zadrugarstvo (Serbia) - Operates as a social enterprise, the first of this kind in Kragujevac, focusing on training and employing adults with developmental disabilities. Their goal is to promote the inclusion of socially vulnerable individuals through work programs. Through a successful donor campaign and the completion of necessary preparations, they established an inclusive workshop for recycling and producing handmade paper from used cigarette packs.
Connect Clean Roma Group (Serbia) - Addresses the issue of secondary raw material collected by Roma. They recognized that Roma individuals often collect these materials and sell them to others for processing. To change this dynamic, the cooperative employs Roma individuals as formal collectors of secondary raw materials. They take responsibility for collecting, storing, processing, and selling these materials. Additionally, the team is dedicated to advocating for public policies related to climate change and the circular economy in Serbia.
Bleja Woolen Balls (Serbia) - Initiated by the Foundation Intergenerational Volunteer Center from Belgrade, the idea concentrates on creating a sustainable initiative for collective housing for the elderly in an ecological settlement in Barajevo. They aim to achieve this by producing woollen balls for softening laundry, which serves as an important step towards their overall goal. The envisioned settlement would also feature a daycare centre for preschool children and a camp for visitors. The team has purchased a plot of land to build an eco-village consisting of approximately 20 smaller houses to accommodate 42 people, ranging in age from 23 to 84. Their objective is to inspire other local communities to adopt a similar approach to organizing themselves.
