Junior Achievement of Albania (JAA) marked another international success at the Gen-E 2025 European Entrepreneurship Festival, held in Athens from July 1–4. Organized by JA Europe and hosted by JA Greece, this festival is considered the largest youth entrepreneurship event in Europe. It brought together over 900 young participants from more than 40 European countries, showcasing the brightest ideas of the new generation of founders.
Albania was represented by 24 participants, organized into four representative teams, the result of two of JAA’s most inclusive programs – Junior UP and Student Company Program.
Awards won by Albania:
- “Pigi” – Start-Up of the Year 2025 (University Level)
An innovative app for children’s financial education, created by a team selected through JAA’s Junior UP 4.0 program. This is the festival’s most prestigious award at the startup level, and it is the first time Albania wins this significant prize. - “Aquabrain” – Arben Broci School, Tirana
Winner of the Green Manufacturing Award, for a technological solution supporting sustainable water management and smart recycling. - “PulsePal” – Turgut Ozal School, Durrës
Winner of the Digital Innovation Award, for a smart device that monitors heart rate and securely manages medical data.
Also won the “Get in the Ring” challenge, a business idea debate format, competing against the team from Denmark. - “Silver Spring” – Arben Broci School, Tirana
Winner of the National Student Company Festival in Albania, and nominee for the FedEx Access Award and the Delta Sustainability Award, for its social and environmental impact.
About the programs that enabled these achievements:
Junior UP
Launched at the end of 2021, Junior UP is a unique startup development program that supports JAA alumni aged 18–26. It offers:
- One-on-one mentoring from field experts
- Investment readiness and market testing support
- Practical workshops on legal topics, pitching, marketing, and financial management
Through Junior UP, young people move from idea to sustainable business model, integrating meaningfully into Albania’s innovation ecosystem.
Student Company Program
An educational program integrated into high schools across Albania, offering students knowledge on entrepreneurship, economics, and how a real business operates.
Students form real companies, develop products and services, manage finances, and learn to work in teams. The program significantly enhances their communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
These international achievements are proof of the power of practical education and sustainable mentoring in empowering young people to be creative, vocal, and innovative in the European market.
JA Albania, in partnership with JA Europe and JA Worldwide, remains committed to developing the new generation of Albanian entrepreneurs.
0 comments