The Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) invites secondary school students and university students to participate in an important initiative that promotes youth innovation and entrepreneurship.

For the fourth consecutive year, Crete participates in the European initiative “EUSAIR POPRI youth”, in cooperation with the Primorski Tehnološki Park of Slovenia.

This initiative is addressed to secondary education students (14–18 years old) from the Region of Crete and to university students (18–29 years old) from academic and research institutions in Crete. Participants will have the opportunity to develop and present a business idea, take part in an international final competition, network with teams from 10 countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region, and gain valuable experience.

Participants are invited to develop innovative ideas responding to social or technological challenges. After submitting their business ideas and proposals and being evaluated, the two top teams (one from each category) will represent Crete in the international final competition, which will take place in Skopje, North Macedonia, in May 2026, with entries from: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The winners of the final will have the opportunity to present their ideas at European forums and pitching events, with travel and participation expenses fully covered.

Submission Process and Deadlines

The competition process is carried out in two distinct and consecutive stages:

1. National Stage (Greek Evaluation)

• Teams submit their business ideas for national evaluation by April 10, 2026.
• Proposals will be evaluated by a competent committee, and two top teams (one from each category) will be selected to represent Greece in the international stage of the competition.

2. International Stage

• Only the teams selected in the national stage will proceed to the international stage.
• The international process (submission/finalization of the application dossier and preparation for international evaluation) will take place from April 15 to May 4, 2026.

Applications must be submitted in English and include: application form, business plan, presentation (PowerPoint), and a parental consent form (for secondary school students). Relevant templates will be provided to all participants.

Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for the selected participants (two secondary school students and two university students). Secondary school students must participate accompanied by a guardian (note: the expenses of accompanying guardians are not covered).

The competition entitled “EUSAIR POPRI youth” is part of the European Commission’s EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) and promotes education and training of young people in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.

For more information, interested participants may contact Ms. Evi Basta (STEP-C) at +30 2810 391908 or via email at basta@stepc.gr, and/or visit the website https://popri.si/en.