Thirty micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from across Kosovo, whose project proposals demonstrated significant potential for making the shift towards environmental sustainability, have been selected to be part of the second edition of the BOOST x Kosovo acceleration programme: NextGen. Importantly, this edition marked a higher application rate of women entrepreneurs, resulting in a participation rate of over 50% for businesses led by women.
The selected MSMEs covering a range of sectors, including agriculture, production, tourism, fashion, tech industry, and engineering among others, showed their readiness and commitment to automate some of their work and improve business operations and services through digital technologies. Through BOOST x Kosovo: NextGen, these enterprises will propel their initial solutions to the next level and amplify their impact. Moreover, the programme will help connect these selected entrepreneurs across Kosovo with global innovators who will support them technically and financially to develop and advance their ideas. Ultimately, the best 10 teams with the most promising solutions will be awarded grants to finalize their projects.
Earlier last week, BOOST NextGen participants officially kicked off their journey toward green and digital transition, with a bootcamp. The three-day bootcamp was designed to orient the young entrepreneurs towards digitalization, innovation, business modelling, with an overall thrust towards sustainability and climate resilience. During intensive and immersive sessions, participants had the opportunity to learn about various aspects of business growth through Sustainable and Development Goals and social inclusion. Upcoming sessions will consist of a tailored program and coaching sessions with a focus on digitalization and entrepreneurship, as well as practical exercises to help entrepreneurs apply the concepts they learn in real-world scenarios.
The Kosovo Green Challenge is among the first initiatives with a particular focus on empowering young entrepreneurs in their endeavors, to cultivate novel business models that prioritize innovation, circularity, and zero-emissions. It aims to bring together institutional stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the private sector to support Kosovo’s MSMEs and strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
BOOST is an acceleration programme, powered by UNDP Europe and Central Asia, boosting social impact innovation, and accelerating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. BOOST x Kosovo is the local chapter of the programme, launched by UNDP Kosovo and implemented in cooperation with the Innovation Centre Kosovo. Its second edition aims to support green recovery in the private sector by fostering an enabling environment with a people-centered approach.
*All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).