For the third year in a row, a high school entrepreneurial competition was held in Rijeka "Business challenge", carried out as part of the European project Re-Value (Re-Valuing Urban Quality & Climate Neutrality in European Waterfront Cities).
The aim of the competition is the development of entrepreneurial competences in young people through work on concrete solutions for urban development and sustainability. About 60 students from Rijeka and Opatija secondary schools participated in the competition, divided into ten teams, and they all competed in designing innovative business solutions with the aim of developing a sustainable city district. Through a full-day programme, students developed their ideas – from the concept, through the business plan, to a presentation in front of an expert jury.
Porin has played a multiple role this year, Emira Brkić Karninčić i Maria Grbac participated as mentors to student teams, providing them with support and expert guidance in the elaboration of business plans, while the director Nenad Antolović was a member of the expert jury that evaluated the presentation of the idea, analysing their innovative aspects, feasibility and potential to contribute to urban sustainability.
Competition with European character and local significance
The "Business Challenge" has been implemented since 2013 with the aim of developing young people's entrepreneurial competences. The Rijeka edition of the competition was held in partnership with the European organization Junior Achievement Europe i the Delta Association, It is part of the European project Re-Value, which brings together nine European coastal cities and organisations dedicated to finding solutions that simultaneously improve urban quality and enable climate neutrality. The project is coordinated by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and funded by Horizon 2020.
Mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović opened the competition and presented the challenge to the students – to come up with a proposal for a new urban district with sustainable infrastructure that responds to the needs of future generations and fosters environmental conservation, waste reduction and active community participation.
Creative ideas for a sustainable future
During the day, students analyzed urban trends, city identity, community needs and existing challenges, and then developed their own business ideas. Each team designed a product or service, defined the target market and financial model, and presented their project to an expert jury.
The following teams were awarded:
- 1st place - Association "Za moj kvart" – our Emira team: Application for connecting young people and local committees of the City of Rijeka, with the aim of strengthening the participation of young people in decision-making and connecting with the local community with members Jan Rebić (Technical School Rijeka), Maro Bratonja (Salesia Classical Gymnasium), Klara Krizmanić (Economic School of Mijo Mirković), Nora Džubur (Hotel-Tourism School Opatija) and Sara Bezjak Brozović (Transport School Rijeka)
- 2nd place - Urbanova d.o.o.: The concept of a self-sustaining neighbourhood with accompanying waste monitoring applications and the Voice of the Quarter platform with members: Tara Bilen (Secondary School of Andrija Ljudevit Adamić), Mila Paparić (Hospitality School Opatija), Lea Grubešić (Transport School Rijeka), Mia Sablić Bočina (Economic School of Mijo Mirković Rijeka), Doris Kurelić (Natural and Graphic School Rijeka), Darko Grozdanić (Economic School of Mijo Mirković Rijeka) and David Mijolović (Hotel and Tourism School Opatija).
- 3rd place - Greenloop: The idea of social entrepreneurship to help the homeless through sustainable support and employment models with members: Dorotea Korica (Hotel-tourist school Opatija), Tin Gorički (Technical school Rijeka), Dora Frančišković (Transport school Rijeka), Luka Harkanovac (Transport school Rijeka), Nika Šimić (Economic school Mije Mirkovića Rijeka) and Fran Host (Hotel-tourist school Opatija).
Porin – partner for youth and innovation
As an organization that continuously supports the development of entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable solutions, the Rijeka Development Agency Porin proudly supports such projects in which young people have the opportunity to learn, cooperate and shape the future of our city.
By participating in the "Business Challenge", Porin continues its activities in the local community through mentoring, education and active involvement in projects that encourage innovation and sustainability. These experiences provide young people with the basis for further professional development, but also create valuable opportunities to connect with local institutions, the market and European partners.
