RCC awards six best digital solutions from Western Balkans and gives three special recognitions to the best high school teams

Tirana/Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted the finale and Award Ceremony of the fifth edition of the Balkathon, regional digital competition, tonight in Tirana. 

Out of 80 applications, the jury selected sixteen finalists who competed in today’s Balkathon finale, presenting their digital solutions before the expert jury consisting of Linda Shomo, Amar Dedović, Mergim Cahani, Duško Petrović, Anita Nikova, Nikola Kovačević and Evisi Kopliku. The jury selected the best six solutions/teams which the RCC awarded with 7,000 EUR each at the ceremony held last night in Tirana.

The winners of Balkathon 5.0 are:

• Team DARN from Kosovo*. DARN developed an app that uses smart technology to make waste collection more efficient, saving time, fuel, and reducing environmental impact.
• Team GENITOR from North Macedonia introduces an AI-powered autonomous robotic painting system that addresses labour shortages in the construction industry by automating large-scale painting tasks. 
• Team KOMUNITETI. Komuniteti is an innovative building management platform from Albania that simplifies property administration through a centralised dashboard and eco-friendly features.
• Team LISEC from Serbia is developing an affordable communication tool for individuals with Locked-in Syndrome (LiS) that uses commercially available webcams to capture eye movement patterns and convert them into words or phrases.
• Team MyTurn from Montenegro with a gamified mobile app that engages children in household chores while streamlining task management for parents.
• Team Roadzo from Bosnia and Herzegovina is developing a renewable energy solution that uses piezoelectric materials in roadways to convert vehicle traffic into electricity.

This year the RCC decided to launch a special recognition for high school teams and the three best solutions have been awarded with 4,000 EUR each. Special recognition awardees are:

• Team CyberScore from Serbia with an innovative educational solution that leverages artificial intelligence to analyse data and offer personalised advice to youth regarding their digital footprint and internet safety. 
• Team InnoGirls from Bosnia and Herzegovina with a product designed to support health quality maintenance.
• Team DARE from Albania with IMMAL, an innovative digital platform designed to enhance the mental health of individuals with chronic illnesses

“My heartfelt congratulations to all of you that won tonight and thanks to all that participated. Tonight marks an important milestone in your journey, but it is far from the end. Digitalisation is not just about technology—it’s about empowerment. You have the power to make a difference, not just in your own lives, but in the lives of those around you. This is the time to dream big and take risks. Don’t be afraid to start small—many of the world’s greatest tech companies began in someone’s garage or with just a few lines of code. No doubt, technology in all its forms is neutral until we decide its purpose. We are the ones who can either harness its power for good or misuse it. Let’s be mindful and responsible ensuring that AI and other advanced technologies are used to uplift, innovate and solve problems, not to create new ones,” said Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of Regional Cooperation Council at the Award Ceremony.

“Balkathon celebrates more than just achievements; it honours the spirit of innovation and the remarkable potential of young creators across the Western Balkans. Balkathon was born 5 years ago, during a global uncertainty of the Covid pandemic. In 5 years what began as a response to a crisis has since evolved into a platform for transformation. Nearly 400 applicants have participated in 23 diverse topic, supported by 72 mentors and evaluated by almost 60 experts in digitalisation and ICT. To date, counting this evening's winners, we have awarded 31 solutions through Balkathon, and it makes me extremely proud to have been part of it,” added Bregu.

Balkathon is RCC’s flagship initiative, financed by the European Union, providing an avenue for encouraging, developing and recognising unique digital ideas/solutions and products. RCC’s regional cooperation initiatives like Balkathon and similar ones (Butterfly Award, Youth Lab, Regional Network of Women Entrepreneurs, etc.) are our contribution to boosting our human capital and supporting the WB region moving forward, while also trying to retain our talented workforce within the region and improve their well-being.

Andrea Ferrero, Head of Section for Economic and Social Development at the EU Delegation to Albania, praised the focus on innovation, emphasizing its vital role in tackling major challenges like climate change, overpopulation, and brain drain. “Innovation lies at the heart of problem-solving,” Ferrero said. “We must cultivate mentality, build an environment, and secure funding for innovation in the region. This is the only path to prevent the marginalisation of our continent. To stay relevant, we must innovate—and for that, we need you, the youth of the Western Balkans,” he added.

Balkathon competition, launched in 2020, is aimed at empowering young innovators from the region. So far it resulted in 31 new Made in Western Balkans digital products.

Intro Speech of Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General at Balkathon 5.0 Award Ceremony 
More about Balkathon 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.