The green business challenge shaping sustainable innovation

The ETF has selected this initiative as one of the five finalists for the prestigious Green Skills Award, celebrating its innovative approach to developing green skills and entrepreneurial thinking from the ground up.

Why this initiative stands out:

• Students + Teachers = Impact! Intensive training for teachers paired with hands-on problem-solving for students, supporting career development and entrepreneurship
• Education-to-employment bridge: Combines environmental awareness with real business and innovation skills
• Proven reach and impact: Over 100 students and 50 teachers take part every year, with thousands more inspired through schools
• An inclusive, high-energy experience: An inspirational learning opportunity filled with pride, excitement and incredible innovation!

“It’s amazing how the young guys and girls from secondary schools are bright! You cannot imagine that it’s possible that someone can have an idea like that!”
–  Prof. Radmil Polenakovikj – President of NCDIEL, and Centre of Excellence in Green Innovation (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UKIM)

• 18 years of national innovation competitions

• 100+ students and 50+ teachers involved annually

   

• 35+ green business ideas submitted each year

• 16 teams pitch live in front of a national jury

   

• 4 winning teams, with awards shared between students and teacher-mentors
• International expansion in 2023–2024 via Erasmus+ GREENOVET

The challenge isn’t just about ideas. It’s about performance, persuasion, and passion. It's a fast-paced, high-stakes learning journey with four dynamic rounds:

• 4-minute pitch - present the business model
• Financial feasibility - prove it's sustainable
• Marketing Strategy - sell the vision
• One-minute final pitch - convince the jury in a head-to-head showdown where the winner takes all!

This year, the pitch battles took place at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Skopje, in front of expert juries from business, academia, and civil society. The finals are intense, inspiring and emotional.

“Someone is always crying from happiness. Teachers are so proud – they win and lose with their students, and they never give up. Each year, we see a new generation of students who are even more motivated than the last."
– Prof. Radmil Polenakovikj – President of NCDIEL, and Centre of Excellence in Green Innovation (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UKIM)

These green ideas aren't just concepts - they're working prototypes and real-world solutions.  The winners of this year's challenge went on to participate at the international event, POPRI, where they were awarded second place.

The team competed with their project, RICONIC, a solution in the field of ecological cleaning and sustainable living. As part of the prize, the team will visit the Primorski Technology Park in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, where they will have the opportunity to meet potential collaborators and investors, expand their knowledge and network, and further develop and launch the RICONIC solution.

Other past projects include:

• Installing solar panels in schools
• Designing smart recycling bins
• Building low-cost air filters using reused materials
• Developing cosmetics and fertilisers from rice waste

“It’s not just the competition. It’s about training students to become entrepreneurs or (...) employees with ideas that improve the companies they work for.”
– Prof. Radmil Polenakovikj – President of NCDIEL, and Centre of Excellence in Green Innovation (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UKIM)

According to the project’s founder, teachers are the true changemakers.

“The key drivers are the teachers. We start with them. We train them. And they’re the ones who motivate and guide the students. They are the force behind every brilliant idea.”
–  Prof. Radmil Polenakovikj – President of NCDIEL, and Centre of Excellence in Green Innovation (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UKIM)

By offering state-of-the-art training in green innovation and pedagogy, the project equips educators to become mentors, innovators and role models in their own schools and communities.