About StarBalkans
StarBalkans creates educational, academic, and professional opportunities for Albanian youth — connecting them with national and international experiences that build knowledge, confidence, skills, and vision for the future.
The Purpose of StarBalkans
StarBalkans aims to create educational, academic, and professional opportunities for Albanian youth, connecting them with national and international experiences that develop their knowledge, confidence, skills, and vision for the future.
We believe every pupil and student should have access to quality opportunities that help them discover their potential, compete at international standards, build practical skills, and become an active part of a wider educational community.
Through olympiads, international programmes, youth projects, internships, training, and partnerships with educational institutions, StarBalkans seeks to empower the next generation and build bridges between Albania and global opportunities.
What We Do
StarBalkans works across several core areas linked to education, youth development, and the internationalisation of opportunities for pupils and students.
We organise academic olympiads, international programmes, summer and winter schools, internships, youth projects, training, and activities that help young people develop their academic, social, and professional skills. At the centre of our work is an ecosystem where pupils, students, schools, universities, and partners collaborate to build real development opportunities inside and outside Albania.
- Organisation of national and international olympiads
- Representation of Albanian pupils in competitions abroad
- Organisation of international educational programmes
- Summer schools, winter schools, and academic camps
- International internships for students through IAESTE Albania
- Youth, social, cultural, and educational projects
- Training and activities for youth development
- Support for pupils, students, schools, and universities
- Platforms and initiatives for education, careers, and employment
Our Services
Practical pathways that connect young people with competitions, programmes, partners, and career opportunities.
Academic Olympiads
Organisation of national competitions and participation in international finals.
International Programmes
Summer schools, winter schools, camps, and educational programmes abroad.
International Internships
Opportunities for students through IAESTE Albania.
Youth Projects
National and international projects for young people.
Training & Workshops
Leadership, education, career, environment, culture, and innovation skills.
School Partnerships
Cooperation with schools, education centres, and universities.
Study Materials
Preparation guides and materials for olympiads.
Talent Promotion
Publishing pupil stories, achievements, and academic work.
Meet the Team
Behind every StarBalkans programme, olympiad, and project stands a dedicated team of professionals, coordinators, educators, and collaborators who work every day to create quality opportunities for young people. Our team brings together experience in education, project management, international communication, activity coordination, and support for pupils and students. We believe in teamwork, responsibility, transparency, and care for every participant.
Dr. Elena Marku
Executive Director
15+ years in international education and youth development programs.
Arben Hoxha
Program Director
Former TIMO gold medalist, now coordinating olympiad programs.
Sara Kelmendi
Environmental Projects Lead
Environmental scientist championing youth-led sustainability advocacy.
Denisa Shehu
Communications Manager
Managing outreach, media, and stakeholder engagement across the region.
Blerim Kastrati
Academic Coordinator
Overseeing curriculum design and educational partnerships.
Mira Berisha
Partnerships Manager
Building relationships with international organizations and institutions.
Partner Centres
StarBalkans collaborates with partner centres across Albanian cities to bring national and international educational opportunities closer to pupils and young people. Through this network, information, registrations, activities, and competitions become more accessible to local communities.
Who can be a partner centre
- •Private schools
- •Public schools
- •Course centres
- •Youth centres
- •Educational institutions
- •Local organisations
- •Training centres
How partner centres help
- •Informing pupils
- •Registration for olympiads
- •Organising local testing
- •Promoting international programmes
- •Logistical support during activities
- •Delivering training or workshops
National Reach
StarBalkans has built a national cooperation network across Albania’s major cities. By organising competitions in around 15 cities, we aim for pupils not to always have to travel to Tirana to access quality academic opportunities.
This reach helps us identify, support, and promote talent from different cities, creating a more inclusive system for youth participation in olympiads and international programmes.
- Presence in Albania’s main cities
- Competitions organised in around 15 cities
- Cooperation with local schools and centres
- Inclusion of pupils from diverse regions
- More equal access to educational opportunities
Partner Universities
StarBalkans collaborates with universities and higher-education institutions to create more opportunities for students — especially international internships, career guidance, youth projects, and professional development.
Through these partnerships, students can learn about, apply for, and join experiences that help them build a professional profile in an international environment.
Our Initiatives & Platforms
Featured platforms that expand education, mobility, and career pathways for young people.
IAESTE Albania
IAESTE Albania is part of the international IAESTE network, which for decades has created professional internship opportunities for students worldwide. Through IAESTE Albania, Albanian students can apply for international internships across fields of study, gaining professional experience, intercultural skills, and a strong advantage in the job market.
EduRiv
EduRiv is an educational initiative that supports pupils, teachers, and institutions through digital tools, study materials, and more structured assessment and academic preparation. Through EduRiv, StarBalkans aims for a more modern approach to education — using technology to ease testing, preparation, progress tracking, and access to quality materials.
StarJobs
StarJobs is a career development and employment platform for Balkan youth seeking regional and international roles. It connects students and young professionals with opportunities, guidance, and pathways that turn education into real work experience.
How StarBalkans Works in Practice
StarBalkans operates as an educational and youth ecosystem with clear pathways for every audience.
For pupils
Pupils can take part in olympiads, international programmes, summer schools, educational activities, training, and contests. They can prepare, sit exams, earn certificates or medals, and in some cases qualify for international participation.
For parents
Parents receive structured information on programmes, costs, deadlines, procedures, travel, safety, and benefits for their children — clarity and trust at every step.
For students
Students can learn about international internships, projects, youth activities, career opportunities, and professional development — especially through IAESTE Albania and StarJobs.
For schools & partner centres
Schools and partner centres can cooperate on competitions, pupil information, activities, and promotion of international opportunities.
For universities
Universities can partner on student outreach, internship promotion, academic events, and joint projects.
For international partners
International partners can collaborate on educational programmes, summer schools, competitions, projects, mobility, and joint initiatives.