Application Deadline: 15.04.2025

Macedonia2025 is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to building strong partnerships and linkages worldwide and working together towards building a stronger nation. We represent a platform for all Macedonians around the globe to unite and join our efforts in supporting the economic and democratic growth of Macedonia.

Ohrid Hi-Tech Excellence Camp provides an opportunity for youths of Macedonian origin to further their knowledge in coding and robotics. Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to get in touch with their roots and network with Macedonians from all over the world, in an inspiring environment by the Ohrid Lake.

Macedonia2025 announces an Open Call for Scholarships for the fifth Ohrid Hi-Tech Excellence Camp, which will take placein Ohrid, North Macedonia, on July 13-19, 2025.

Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp blends summer fun with an immersive STEM experience, bringing together young minds from around the world to develop coding, robotics, and problem-solving skills. Led by the Academy for Robotics and Innovation and STEM Robotika Kočani, in partnership with Young Engineers Skopje, the camp features globally recognized LEGO® Education Technology and Israeli-licensed STEM programs used in over 50 countries. Participants will engage in hands-on learning, programming FABLE components led by Brainster, and tackling real-world challenges inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s theme, FIRST® LEGO® League – FIRST® DIVE℠: SUBMERGED℠, focuses on ocean exploration. Teams will create innovative solutions for cleaner, healthier oceans while fostering leadership, teamwork, and perseverance—preparing them to be the next generation of problem solvers and innovators.

This Camp is also an opportunity to establish friendships, strengthen and build on native Macedonian culture, explore local nature and our cultural heritage, and experience Macedonian cuisine and specialties. 

Key Benefits

• Improve high-tech skills (coding, programming, and robotics);
• Promote greater enrollment of youth, and especially young girls, from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics);
• Establish connections and networks among young Macedonians living in Macedonia and young diaspora members, and support cross-cultural exchanges between them;
• Establish and strengthen the connection of young diaspora members with their homeland, developing their sense of giving back to our homeland/community; and
• Interact with some of the top leaders in the country and top business leaders from the country and/or abroad.

Program Content

This weeklong camp will consist of both theoretical and practical sessions that teach medium/advanced coding and robotics skills.

The training sessions will take place over the course of 5 working days (4 hours/per day). The rest of the day will be filled in with organized activities, such as cultural events, socialization, field trips to local sights, beaches, and sightseeing. Supervisors, lecturers, or volunteer chaperones, will accompany participants at all times.

Participants will be equipped with the following:

• Interdisciplinary skills in STEM – basic and advanced STEM principles, coding, and robotics
• Skills and abilities necessary for the 21st century, such as: Programming languages; Science and Engineering; Problem-, product-, project-based learning; Teamwork; Core leadership values; Outside the box thinking; Critical thinking; Creative thinking; Problem-solving;
• Becoming Generations of Global Citizens who realize their power to build a better future with the use of technology

The program delivery will focus on modern, highly effective teaching and learning methods. The program curriculum will be delivered by certificated STEM lecturers. Participants will work in groups or in pairs to complete a customized project. Participants will work with exclusively available know-how for innovative learning based on a strategic plan and educational system with LEGO® Education who is a globally recognized educational system that enables innovative learning based on a strategic plan and a modern educational approach. The teaching model it follows is the 5E model: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Through this concept, students gain new knowledge while experimenting and exploring. The methodology not only introduces them to the world of STEM but also fosters self-confidence, encourages collaboration, and motivates them to develop their curiosity. LEGO® Education is much more than a learning tool – it is a platform that transforms students into creative thinkers, inspires them to explore their environment, and prepares them for future challenges with innovative and practical solutions.

Besides the core activities of the Camp, Macedonia2025 will enrich the Program with:

• A meet and greet with President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, a discussion on Democracy and Leadership, and an accompanying visit to the presidential villa “Biljana” in Ohrid (tbc)
• How-those-it-works in practice: visit of an international company, where participants will gain insights into the highly complex and robotized production process;
• Motivational discussions with members of the Macedonia2025 Board of Directors, with rich professional experiences and high competencies in computer science and engineering, passion for technology, and an entrepreneurial mind.

The Cultural Socialization and Networking will be comprised of the:

• Orientation and team-building activities;
• Networking with youths from different countries, engaging in cross-cultural learning experiences, exchanging ideas, and building networks for future international cooperation;
• Public speaking activities that will enrich communication and increase the presentation skills of participants, as well as their creative and critical thinking;
• Improving foreign language competencies (English/Macedonian);
• Cultural activities and programs in partnership national music and arts festival.

Date and Location

Ohrid Hi-Tech Excellence Camp will take place on July 13-19, 2025in Ohrid, North Macedonia. The venue (a 3+ star hotel facility) will be announced in due time.

Language of instruction

The official language of instruction is English. However, we highly encourage the use of the Macedonian language in communication outside of the classroom.

Eligibility

• Students aged 11-15, who are interested in deepening their knowledge in the fields of coding and robotics
• Macedonian students and those of Macedonian origin from the diaspora
• Adequate knowledge of the English and Macedonian languages is appreciated
• Basic knowledge of Coding, Programming and Robotics
• Preference will be given to young individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Application

To apply, you must fill in the APPLICATION FORM (HERE) and PARENT CONSENT FORM (MK and EN) , and attach the required documents on the Macedonia2025 E-scholarship Platform (HERE)

Important Note: The instructions and clarification for required documentation for scholarships for OHRID HI-TECH EXCELLENCE CAMP 2025 are available on the E-scholarship Platform (left corner under the botton APPLY)

Up to 20 candidates will be selected through the following selection process:

• Administrative pre-selection of the applications by Macedonia2025
• Selection of successful candidates by a Selection Committee
• The selection committee will have a personal interview with the potential candidates
• Selected candidates from the diaspora will be notified by May 2025, while candidates coming from Macedonia will be selected by begging June, 2025.

Note: Gender, ethnicity, and participation from different countries and regions in Macedonia will be taken into account when creating a diversified group of participants.

Participant’s fee

The scholarship fully covers all costs for the Camp.

The Camp scholarship covers classes, camp set of materials, FB accommodation, organized visits and excursions, and local transport costs.

As a sense of responsibility and giving back to your parent’s homeland opportunity awaits prospective participants from the diaspora: contribute a specified amount to sponsor the participation of a friend from a socially vulnerable family in Macedonia.  

Note: The organizers reserve the right to provide partial scholarships, based on individual socio-economic background. The organizers will provide for the participant’s travel arrangements from Skopje to Ohrid.

Partner organizations

MASIT – The Macedonian Chamber of Commerce for Information and Communication Technologies https://masit.org.mk/en/, represented by their member companies: Brainster https://brainster.co/ and ISourse http://isource.com.mk/

Young Engineers e² Young Engineers – Skopje, Macedonia   Young Engineers – Homepage

Robotics & Innovation Academy https://robotics.mk/

STEM Robotika Kocani

Important Notice

Certificates for successful completion of the program will be awarded to all participants.

As partner organizations, the Academy for Robotics and Innovation and STEM Robotika Kočani will award an annual national-level scholarship to participants from Macedonia. Additionally, special prizes will be given to recognize participants’ knowledge and achievements in the FIRST LEGO League competitions, honoring their dedication to STEM education and innovation.

After program completion, beneficiaries are required to complete a satisfaction survey and submit testimonials.

We look forward to receiving your applications!