The Business for Youth project represented the policy component of the regional S.T.A.R. initiative, which focuses on improving the position of young people in the labour markets of the Western Balkans. The S.T.A.R. initiative was launched by the Social Innovation Incubator MUNJA, with the support of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, with the aim of bringing together key stakeholders working on youth employment and promoting systemic change through cooperation among the public, private and civil society sectors. Through the Business for Youth component, particular emphasis in 2026 was placed on the direct engagement and mobilisation of the business sector around the employment of Generation Z, as well as on strengthening cooperation between companies and civil society organisations.

Within the project, Belgrade Open School, as the national partner, was responsible for coordinating S.T.A.R. policy activities at the national level. The following activities were implemented:

• Mapping key business networks and employers’ associations relevant to youth employment;
• Establishing contacts and organising consultations with companies, public employment services, relevant ministries and other stakeholders, as well as holding thematic meetings with representatives of the business sector;
• Presenting the S.T.A.R. initiative to members of business networks;
• Organising the National S.T.A.R. Forum – a one-day event that brought together representatives of relevant institutions, the education sector, civil society, young people and the business community to jointly discuss trends and challenges related to Generation Z in the labour market.

The project activities were implemented from January to July 2026.