The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) on Friday opened applications for the fourth edition of the Regional Butterfly Innovation Award, which recognises scalable, market-driven solutions from the Western Balkans.
Winners in each of the six categories – industry, green, STEM, youth, university and women innovation – will receive prizes of up to 5,000 euros. Eligible applicants include young individuals or teams from the region, with projects required to demonstrate tangible impact within the Western Balkans.
Applications are open until midnight on Oct. 8, 2025, while the winners will be announced in November.
Launched in 2022, the award has so far recognised 18 innovative solutions and has grown into a regional platform for promoting creativity, digital transformation and environmental sustainability. Organisers say the 2025 edition aims to further support underrepresented groups, particularly youth and women.
The Butterfly Innovation Award is funded by the European Union and implemented by the RCC as part of the Common Regional Market Action Plan for the Western Balkans.