Junior Achievement Serbia Companies Vy for Top Honors
At a recent, USAID-sponsored regional competition in Kopaonik Mountain, Serbia, Junior Achievement (JA) students gathered to award the best of 12 creative and hard-working student companies. It was “the” opportunity for high-school students from eight municipalities to show how their hands-on experience in running their own businesses had translated into practical skills and entrepreneurial sprit.
“I want to tell all young people, especially my peers from Novi Pazar, that it’s always worth fighting for what you want, to relentlessly pursue your dreams and to understand that your age does not preclude you from accomplishing great things,” said Vanesa Škrijelj, Public Relations Manager of the winning student company Play hailing from Novi Pazar’s general high school.
A student company from Arilje’s Sveti Ahilije High School placed second, while the White Team from another Novi Pazar school, Medical High School clinched third place.
For most students, JA participation was their first opportunity to receive training in business economics, entrepreneurship, financial management and marketing. Their mentors, specially-trained school educators, guided them through their first entrepreneurship endeavors, helping them to understand basic business concepts. Teams were tasked with developing profitable business ideas for student companies.
The first-place team, Play, chose to experiment with a number of business activities: a school coffee club; a creative workshop for hand-made crafts, promotional and marketing materials; and event management. The company’s fifty members elected a board of directors and delegated responsibilities—just as a “real” company might operate. Play was successful in generating revenues, primarily through the sale of hand-made bags and other decorative souvenirs.
 |
| Junior Achievement students and USAID Deputy Mission Director Marilynn
Schmidt (center), at a regional competition at Kopaonik Mountain. |
According to statistical data, almost half of Serbia’s youth under the age of 25 are unemployed—almost three times the European Union average. By partnering with Junior Achievement Serbia, USAID has actively implemented JA program activities in high schools to increase youth participation in the economy by helping to bridge the gap between knowledge acquired through education and skills required by the job market.
“The program helps prepare Serbia’s youth for life beyond high school and, by participating, these students will influence the lives of other young people in this country. It is my sincere pleasure to witness the eager young minds of tomorrow undertaking their first entrepreneurial endeavors,” said Marilynn Schmidt, USAID Deputy Mission Director while speaking at the award ceremony.
Since 2003, USAID has provided $300,000 to support Junior Achievement activities in Serbia. Through its Economic Security program, USAID has provided an additional $50,000 for the expansion of program activities to the municipalities of Bujanovac, Kraljevo, Kuršumlija, Medvedja, Novi Pazar, Preševo, and Prijepolje. During the last year alone, 21 student companies were formed in these municipalities, and an additional 679 students and 36 teachers from 20 schools participated in the program. “I am absolutely convinced that the skill sets acquired through their participation in the program and the lessons learned from managing their student companies, will help JA students in their future careers, regardless of whether they start their own business or work for an employer,” said Michael Pillsbury, Director if USAID’s Economic Security program.
Junior Achievement Serbia plans to expand program activities on a national scale as a private-sector driven initiative aimed at preparing Serbia’s youth for entering the job market.
Back to Top ^ |
