The BIOSTARS project is launching the BIOSTARS Youth Innovators Call, a new initiative aimed at identifying and supporting young people with innovative ideas and early-stage projects capable of contributing to more sustainable, resilient and dynamic rural territories across the Mediterranean.
Developed within the BIOSTARS Youth Platform, the call seeks to give visibility and support to a new generation of rural innovators working in areas such as bioeconomy, sustainability, circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, nature-based solutions, digital innovation, youth entrepreneurship and social innovation.
Who can apply?
The call is open to individuals aged 35 or under, as well as teams led by at least one person aged 35 or under. Students, researchers, young entrepreneurs, innovators and informal groups are encouraged to participate.
Applicants must reside in, or be economically or operationally active within, one of the six BIOSTARS territories: Western Macedonia (Greece), Eastern Croatia, Abruzzo (Italy), Larnaca (Cyprus), Andalusia (Spain) and Sarajevo Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Projects can be at the idea, prototype or early business stage, provided they have the potential to generate a positive environmental, social and economic impact in rural areas.
Supporting ideas beyond the competition
One Territorial Youth Innovator will be selected from each BIOSTARS territory. Together, the six selected participants will join a transnational community of young innovators and receive the BIOSTARS Youth Innovators Pack.
The programme includes access to BIOSTARS training resources, mentoring and mini-incubation support, as well as dedicated sessions on European funding opportunities and communication to help participants further develop and increase the visibility of their ideas.
The selected innovators will also become BIOSTARS Youth Ambassadors and will be invited to present their projects at the BIOSTARS Final Conference in Sarajevo, expected to take place in May 2027. During the conference, an international jury will select the BIOSTARS International Youth Innovator.
Applications open in September
The BIOSTARS Youth Innovators Call will open on 7 September 2026, with applications accepted until 31 October 2026.
If you are a young innovator with an idea that could make a difference in a rural community, BIOSTARS wants to hear from you.
Please see the application instructions and application form below, and take your idea to the next level with BIOSTARS.
