Donor: Western Balkans Fund (co-funded by European Union)

Time period: 4 months (07-11.2025)

Total Amount: 15.000 EUR

Partner Organizations: Makerspace Garage (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Macedonia2025 (Macedonia) and Digital Den (Montenegro)

This project aims to strengthen the ecosystem of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education in the Western Balkans by developing a practical toolkit for organizing STEAM festivals. Despite growing interest in STEM fields, the region lacks structured resources to support high-impact science engagement events. To bridge this gap, the project brings together leading regional organizations – Makerspace Garage (BiH), Macedonia2025, and Digital Den (Montenegro) – to co-develop a comprehensive guide for educators, NGOs, and community leaders.

Over a four-month period, the project will produce and pilot the toolkit through the flagship MakerFaire Mostar, while enhancing partner capacities through expert-led masterclasses on event design, digital marketing, and community outreach. The approach emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and practical learning, with each phase (from marketing strategy to field testing and dissemination) carefully structured to ensure long-term impact.

Expected outcomes include a publicly available toolkit, improved regional capacity for STEAM event management, and increased networking across Western Balkan STEAM communities. By equipping stakeholders with tools and knowledge to organize meaningful festivals, the project contributes to greater youth engagement in science, regional cooperation, and the democratization of innovation.