The DigiLand STEM team, one of the grand prize winners of the ideation phase of the fifth cycle of the Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs (RISE), has returned from their regional study visit. This journey was part of the RISE Regional Mobility Program, which aims to strengthen interregional cooperation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support the development of socially responsible ideas among youth in the Western Balkans.
During the first phase of the mobility program, in May, the team visited organizations and initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on non-formal education and best practices in STEM fields. In Sarajevo, they visited the incubator Nešto Više, and, following a recommendation from their hosts, traveled to Travnik. There, they met a primary school teacher running highly successful STEM workshops and exchanged experiences and methodologies. They also visited the Center for Lifelong Learning, where they learned about their educational programs and toured their STEM classroom.
Their next stop was Brčko, where they connected with the organization Svitac and the PRONI Youth Club. They took part in a workshop focused on developing an educational game aimed at enhancing media literacy and gained insight into the organizations’ youth work methodology.
During the second phase of the mobility, in June, they traveled to Podgorica, where they visited the RYCO office and discussed potential additional support for innovative educational initiatives. They also met with the team behind Montenegro Makers, who are developing a variety of hands-on STEM education projects, and agreed to collaborate in the future. In addition, an online meeting was arranged with representatives of the STEMatika initiative.
The DigiLand STEM team’s mission is to create an online community that provides every child with equal access to quality education. Their program integrates English language learning and digital skills through a STEM approach – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – including coding and robotics. They place special emphasis on children from rural and underdeveloped areas, offering them opportunities to gain knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary for the modern world. DigiLand STEM offers more than just an educational space – it provides inspiration, nurturing curiosity and a spirit of inquiry. With the support of mentors, they believe their idea will evolve into a sustainable project that drives real change and empowers the next generation.
This year, three teams are participating in the RISE Regional Mobility Program – Career Launch and DigiLand – STEM Educational Space, as grand prize winners, and ViVod – Virtual Guide, winner of the third prize and recipient of a mobility grant, whose study visit is currently in preparation. The program includes visits across the Western Balkans and provides young teams with the chance to connect with similar initiatives, exchange knowledge with experienced actors, and develop new ideas and partnerships that contribute to stronger regional cooperation and greater social impact.
RISE – the Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs is a support program for young social entrepreneurs, implemented in Serbia by the organization Smart Kolektiv since 2019. This is the fifth cycle of the free support program for the development of social entrepreneurship ideas. The RISE project is supported by the Agence Française de Développement, European Union (EU), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ), PULSE (Groupe SOS). The RISE activities are implemented by six organizations from the Western Balkans: ARNO, Balkan Green Foundation, Nešto Više, Smart Kolektiv, IEC Tehnopolis, and Yunus Social Business Balkans.
