Under the auspices of the President of Macedonia (tbc)

Application Deadline: 15.04.2026

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 sixth Ohrid Hi-Tech Excellence Camp, which will take placein Ohrid, Macedonia, on July 05-11, 2026.

The Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp combines summer experience with an intensive STEM program, bringing together talented youth from Macedonia and the diaspora to develop skills in coding, robotics, engineering, and problem-solving. The educational component is delivered by the Center for Technology, Robotics and Innovation (CTRI) and Brainster, using hands-on, project-based learning focused on innovation, systems thinking, environmental awareness, and real-world social and ecological challenges. Participants work with LEGO® Education and Fable robotics platforms, designing, programming, testing, and optimizing their own robots through structured challenges aligned with internationally recognized STEM and educational robotics standards. The program emphasizes teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, communication, and sustainability through mission-based tasks and competition-style activities. Learning culminates in a final educational robotics showcase and competition, where participants present their projects and robotic solutions, demonstrating both technical competence and positive community impact.

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 educators with extensive experience in working with children and young people, and is based on the internationally recognized 5E learning model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), which enables participants to acquire knowledge through exploration, experimentation, hands-on practice, and real-world application. LEGO® Education is not used merely as a tool, but as a comprehensive educational system that fosters creative and engineering thinking, builds self-confidence and perseverance, stimulates curiosity and a love for learning, and prepares young participants for future academic, technological, and professional challenges.

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

• A traditional presidential visit, featuring a meet-and-greet with the President of Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, including a discussion on importance of education and leadership, during which participants present and explain the projects, technologies, and skills they developed throughout the Camp (tbc)
• How-does-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, a 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 5-11, 2026in Ohrid, 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 the required documentation for scholarships for Ohrid Hi-tech Excellence Camp 2026 are available on the E-scholarship Platform (left corner under the button 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 2026, while candidates coming from Macedonia will be selected by begging June 2026.

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

Participation in the Ohrid Hi-Tech Excellence Camp 2026 will be organized under three participation categories:

• Full scholarships (approximately 1/3 of participants), fully covering all Camp-related costs
• Partial scholarships, with a participant co-financing fee of EUR 450

Out of which diaspora participants will be represented, with approximately 1/2 of participants.

The allocation of participants across categories will be determined by Macedonia2025 based on eligibility criteria, socio-economic background, and the overall selection process.

The Camp scholarship covers classes, a camp set of materials, full-board accommodation, organized visits and excursions, and local transport costs from Skopje to Ohrid.

As a sense of responsibility and giving back to your parents’ 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.  

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/

Center for Technology, Robotics and Innovation – CTRI   

Important Notice

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

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

We look forward to receiving your applications!