is a regional talent platform founded in
2011with the aim to identify, promote and develop creative potential of the
Balkanregion, in the field of product design. The initiative also aims at unifying regional design scene, bringing it closer to the international market, strengthening its creative potential by offering additional education and practice, while at the same time contributes to the restoration of multi-cultural cooperation in the
Balkanregion.
Young Balkan Designers slogan for
2019is
Circular Design.
The call is open for design projects −
products,
concepts,
servicesand
scenarios− that can bring the Balkans to the forefront of a much needed paradigm shift in design, production and consumption. Young designers are challenged to get familiar with the basics of
circular economyand explore possibilities of innovative design approach enhancing circularity of product, materials, services and concepts.
Applicants may be individuals or groups of creators and may participate with one or more than one entry. The Project is supported by the United Nations Development Program (
UNDP).
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Open to all persons born in
1985and younger from: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia and Turkey..
Prize
Between 30 and 40 selected projects will participate in the
Talent Exhibitionat
Mikser Festival 2019festival, scheduled for
24th–26th May 2019in Lower Dorćol, Belgrade, Serbia. There will also be a touring exhibition in the region and it will include 10 to 15 selected projects.
During
Mikser Festival 2019a series of workshops and special meet-ups between the final competition winners and representatives of selected regional furniture and product manufacturers will be organized to detect the designers’ capacities to enter the second part of the competition – collaboration with companies on development of a concrete design product or a service.
Successful prototypes developed through this collaboration will be exhibited at
Salone Satellitewithin International Furniture Fair in Milan in
2020at the companies’ expenses.