9:00-10:00 Building a Financial Ecosystem for Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation:
Enabling Growth in Regional Markets
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Keynote Speaker TBD
9:15-10:30 Panel Discussion: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Aligning Youth Skills
with Regional Market Demands
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Moderated by Verica Jordanova (PDY 2004/2005)
Speakers:
Zoran Martinovski (President of Prime Blue Institute)
Ivana Bilić (Professor at the Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, University of Split)
Meldina Kokorović Jukan (Professor at Department of Finance and Financial Policy the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Tuzla)
Gadaf Rexhepi (Professor of Strategy and innovation at SEEU)​​
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10:30-11:00 Coffee and Tea Break
11:00-12:30 AI-related Solutions for Youth Start-Ups
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Roundtable Networking
In this session, small mixed-country roundtable groups will engage in a structured problem-solving exercise on key AI applications for youth-led start-ups, and include the following topics:
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Conversation 1: AI in Product Development
Leveraging AI to Accelerate Start-up Product Innovation
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Conversation 2: AI-Driven Business Models for Start-ups
Creating Scalable and Sustainable Business Models Using AI
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Conversation 3: AI in Marketing and Customer Engagement
Optimizing Marketing Strategies with AI
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Conversation 4: AI in Education
Transforming Learning and Skill Development with AI for Youth Start-ups
Conversation 5: AI Ethics and Responsible Start-up Practices
Building Ethical AI Solutions in Youth-Led Start-ups
Conversation 6: Funding and Scaling AI Start-ups
Accessing Capital and Scaling AI Solutions for Growth
Conversation 7: AI Tools for Start-up Operations
Using AI to Optimize Internal Processes and Operations
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12:30-13:00 Coffee and Tea Break
13:00-14:30 Forum: Unlocking Opportunities for Innovation and Investment + Q&A session
Roundtable format with investors, business leaders, and officials: representatives from AmCham, American companies, Technological Industrial Development Zone (TIDZ) and the Fund for Innovation and Technology Development (FITD)
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14:30-15:30 Networking and Lunch
15:30-17:00 Fireside Chat: Brain Gain - Empowering Talent for Regional Growth
This session will explore how young professionals, institutions, and cross-border networks can drive a regional shift from brain drain to brain gain. The discussion will focus on empowering talent, fostering meaningful engagement, and leveraging regional initiatives — such as RYCO — to create opportunities for youth, enhance mobility, and strengthen long-term development in the Balkans.
In this session, small groups will discuss specific aspects of brain drain. Each group will analyze the current challenges related to their assigned topic and brainstorm practical strategies to prevent brain drain using a structured framework (e.g., key challenges, solutions, stakeholders, and timelines) to guide the conversation and develop actionable recommendations.
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Speakers:
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Petar Peshev, Former Software Engineer at Meta
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Teodora Stolevska, Head of Programs at Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO)
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Conversation 1: Economic Opportunities and Job Creation
How creating more job opportunities, especially in key industries, can help retain talent by offering attractive career prospects within the region.
Conversation 2: Education and Skill Development
How improving educational systems and offering advanced skill-building programs can ensure that local talent is well-equipped for the local and regional job market.
Conversation 3: Political Stability and Governance
How political instability and poor governance contribute to brain drain, and strategies for improving political environments.
Conversation 4: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem
How fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation can encourage local talent to stay and create businesses, contributing to regional economic growth and job creation.
Conversation 5: Mentorship
The role of mentorship programs in helping young professionals and entrepreneurs navigate their careers, fostering a sense of community and development that encourages talent retention.
Conversation 6: Role of Alumni Associations in Retaining Talent
The role alumni associations in supporting professional development, offering networking opportunities, and creating pathways for collaboration.
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Conversation 7: Job Shadowing
How job shadowing programs, where young professionals can learn from experienced individuals in their fields, can help retain talent by offering real-world experience and demonstrating the potential for growth within the region.
Solution Presentation and Feedback:
Each group will present their findings in a 5-minute pitch, followed by a 2-3 minute feedback session from the larger group.
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18:00–20:00 Networking (Cultural) Event