The Youth Connect Western Balkans initiative brings together youth entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation hubs from across the region to build a more connected and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem. Supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans (OSF-WB) and implemented in collaboration with the Keiretsu Forum Southeast Europe (KFSEE), the project strengthens youth-led innovation, cross-border cooperation, and regional economic integration. 

About the Project 

The project addresses one of the Western Balkans’ most pressing challenges – the limited support available to young innovators striving to launch and scale their businesses. Despite vibrant national startup scenes, access to early-stage financing, mentorship, and investor networks remains scarce. 

Through a regional approach, Youth Connect Western Balkans seeks to bridge these gaps by connecting young founders with angel investors, venture capital funds, and innovation hubs from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. 

One of the main events within the project was the Western Balkans Convergence Forum, which brought together over 75 policymakers, investors, and founders from six Western Balkan economies and EU partners on October 15, 2025, to explore how to move from grant dependence toward regional capital mobility and long-term economic cooperation. 

The Forum served as a high-level regional platform for dialogue on strengthening the investment and innovation ecosystem in the Western Balkans. Discussions during Panels 1 & 2 and five thematic roundtables focused on the future of regional capital, innovation infrastructure, and trust-building across borders. 

Speakers emphasized that only a small share of company revenues in the region are reinvested domestically, while much of the capital remains locked in low-productivity sectors such as real estate. Participants agreed that a shift toward co-investment models and private-capital-driven growth is essential for regional competitiveness. 

The sessions also explored ways to reimagine traditional free economic zones as innovation testbeds, where adaptable regulation could support emerging sectors such as AI, fintech, and green technologies. As one expert concluded, “The biggest barrier to investment is not taxes – it’s trust.” 

Local Impact 
The Forum marked an important step toward bridging gaps between governments, investors, and young entrepreneurs. It created space for practical dialogue on how national policy frameworks can support innovation-led growth and how local startups can connect to wider capital networks. 

Regional Impact 
At the regional level, the event encouraged cross-border collaboration and policy alignment, advancing the vision of a shared Western Balkans innovation space. It strengthened cooperation among key actors to enhance fiscal and regulatory readiness, increase investor confidence, and promote a new culture of sustainable, trust-based economic growth.