{"id":4131,"date":"2026-02-24T09:47:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/uspjesna-prica\/from-winning-the-ideathon-to-internships-in-companies-young-innovators-gain-real-sector-experience\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:46:14","slug":"from-winning-the-ideathon-to-internships-in-companies-young-innovators-gain-real-sector-experience","status":"publish","type":"uspjesna-prica","link":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/uspjesna-prica\/from-winning-the-ideathon-to-internships-in-companies-young-innovators-gain-real-sector-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"From Winning the Ideathon to Internships in Companies: Young Innovators Gain Real-Sector Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column container mx-auto is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">After their success at the Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon, high school students who stood out with their innovative solutions are now further developing their knowledge through professional internships in Sarajevo-based companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">The Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon, held on November 5\u20136 at the Hills Hotel in Ilid\u017ea, brought together vocational high school students from Sarajevo and surrounding areas with the goal of connecting education and industry. The event was organized with the support of the \u201cSustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion (SEDEP) in BiH\u201d program, co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Government of Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"4122\" src=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-4-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-4-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-4-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-4-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-4.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"4120\" src=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-3-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-3-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-3-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-3-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-3.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"4124\" src=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-5-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-5-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-5-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-5-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-5.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"4118\" src=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-2-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-2-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-2-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-2-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-2.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"4126\" src=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-6-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-6-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-6-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-6-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ideathon-6.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>First place as a gateway to internships<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">First place at the Ideathon was won by the project \u201cElectric Lock,\u201d developed by students from the JU Srednjo\u0161kolski centar Ned\u017ead Ibri\u0161imovi\u0107 Ilija\u0161 \u2014 Anel Kadri\u0107, Armin Dervi\u0161evi\u0107, and Haris Beganovi\u0107. Their solution, a smart keyless lock with digital access control, was recognized as innovative, functional, and applicable in real-world conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">As a reward for their achievement, members of the winning team were given the opportunity to complete professional internships in companies in Sarajevo, where they are now gaining valuable experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can watch the video about the student internships below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Od pobjede na Ideathonu do prakse u kompanijama: Mladi inovatori danas u\u010de u realnom sektoru\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/H7R1f6txlkE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n<\/div><\/figure><br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Internship at Comtrade: theory meets real work<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One team member, Anel Kadri\u0107, is currently doing his internship at Comtrade in Sarajevo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThanks to the European Union, the governments of Germany and Switzerland through the SEDEP program, we applied to Sarajevo Unlimited for workshops and the competition, and in the end we also received internships. Honestly, at the beginning there was a bit of nervousness, but my supervisor Edin Bjelak and the other employees welcomed me very well, so now I feel like part of the company. At Comtrade I gained excellent experience in the hardware segment and I\u2019m very satisfied,\u201d said Anel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">Comtrade emphasizes that such internships are valuable for both companies and young people.&#13;\n\u201cOur company employs all generations, from people in their twenties to employees nearing retirement, because we believe knowledge is best transferred through collaborative work. Young people bring fresh energy and new perspectives, while experienced colleagues bring practical knowledge. Internships through the SEDEP program give young people the opportunity to get to know their profession in a real working environment and more easily decide on their professional path. Anel quickly integrated into the team, showed interest and willingness to learn, which is what matters most to us,\u201d said Eldin Bjelak, Head of Service at Comtrade Distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3D printing and additive manufacturing: new experiences at ProtoEngs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The remaining two members of the winning team, Armin Dervi\u0161evi\u0107 and Haris Beganovi\u0107, are doing their internship at ProtoEngs \u2013 3D Print Sarajevo, where they work in the field of 3D printing and additive manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter a great experience at the Ideathon and winning first place, we got the opportunity for an internship at ProtoEngs. I was impressed by how the employees welcomed us, the organization, and the working conditions. I integrated easily because I already had some experience in 3D printing,\u201d said Armin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">Haris highlights the importance of trust from mentors. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect it to be this interesting. I especially liked that our supervisor, Master of Mechanical Engineering Jasmin Smaji\u0107, gave us space to show our own ideas and solutions and trusted us. I\u2019d like to tell young people never to give up on their ideas. We are proof that everything is possible if you have an idea, will, and desire to achieve it,\u201d Haris said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">The founder and owner of ProtoEngs, Jasmin Smaji\u0107, emphasized that this was the first time the company opened its doors to high school students. \u201cWe usually engage students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, but this time we decided to give high school students a chance as well. The experience has been excellent. Armin and Haris surprised us with their broad knowledge and proactive ideas that we tested on some new projects. The most important thing is that young people are satisfied, because ideas are only valuable if you truly work on them. I\u2019m glad these young men believe in themselves and their ideas,\u201d said Smaji\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ideas that don\u2019t stay on paper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">The example of the Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon winners shows how important it is to give young people the opportunity to test their ideas in practice. With the support of the SEDEP program, the Ideathon was not just a competition, but a starting point for real professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis example clearly demonstrates the value of connecting education with the real economy. Through the SEDEP economic development program, co-funded by the European Union, the Government of Germany, and the Government of Switzerland, our goal is not only to support innovation through initiatives like the Ideathon, but also to ensure that young people can continue developing their skills in real working environments. Internships like these help students gain practical experience, build confidence, and make career decisions, while companies benefit from fresh ideas in green and digital fields and motivate young talents. This is exactly the kind of impact we aim to achieve through our joint support in Bosnia and Herzegovina,\u201d said <strong>Jens Elsner, SEDEP Program Manager at GIZ.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These high school students are living proof that Bosnia and Herzegovina has young people who do not wait for change \u2014 they create it themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This success story was developed within the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme (SEDEP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, jointly financed by the European Union, the Government of Switzerland and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After their success at the Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon, high school students who stood out with their innovative solutions are now further developing their knowledge through professional internships in Sarajevo-based companies. The Sarajevo Unlimited Ideathon, held on November 5\u20136 at the Hills Hotel in Ilid\u017ea, brought together vocational high school students from Sarajevo and surrounding areas<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4117,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"vrsta-uspjesnih-prica":[46,35],"class_list":["post-4131","uspjesna-prica","type-uspjesna-prica","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","vrsta-uspjesnih-prica-eu4psd-en","vrsta-uspjesnih-prica-strengthening-vet"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/uspjesna-prica\/4131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/uspjesna-prica"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/uspjesna-prica"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"vrsta-uspjesnih-prica","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digigreen.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vrsta-uspjesnih-prica?post=4131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}