The Business for Youth project represents the policy component of the regional STAR initiative, which focuses on improving the position of young people in the labour market of the Western Balkans. The STAR 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 in the field of youth employment and fostering systemic change through collaboration between the public, private, and civil society sectors. Through the Business for Youth component, a special focus in 2026 will be placed on the direct engagement and mobilization of the business sector around the issue of Generation Z employment, as well as on strengthening cooperation between companies and civil society organizations.

Within the project, BOŠ acts as a local partner responsible for coordinating STAR policy activities at the national level. Planned activities include mapping key business networks and employers’ associations relevant to youth employment, establishing contacts and consultations with companies, public employment services, relevant ministries, and other stakeholders, as well as organizing thematic meetings with representatives of the business sector. Key events include a working meeting with business leaders, presentations of the STAR initiative to members of business networks, and the organization of the National STAR Forum, a one-day event that will bring together 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 also foresees the signing of memoranda of cooperation with business networks, participation in regional meetings of STAR partners, as well as continuous exchange of information and knowledge among partners across the region.

Project activities will be implemented until the end of July 2026.