Innovation Station is a social entrepreneurship competition, organized yearly by the Better Community Club at the American University in Bulgaria. The event brings together young people, mentors from NGOs and businesses, and other changemakers to co-create solutions to social problems. This 2025 Innovation Station, volume 5, was called “New horizons, ancient wisdom” and happened from February 28 to March 2 in Blagoevgrad, calling all Gen Z changemakers (aged 16–25) to propose innovative solutions to today’s social challenges. Participants formed teams, worked hard on their solutions, and pitched their ideas to an expert jury from education, business, media, NGOs, social enterprises, and other sectors.

Zarika took part in this amazing initiative for the third time in a row, and now we are delighted to share moments and insights from one of the most intense, inspirational, challenging, rewarding, and hopeful weekends!

This year, Zarika had the chance to provide a social case study (focused on sustainable transportation) to be tackled by one of the 12 teams. We also had the honor of mentoring a hard-working team supporting the prevention of early school dropout for a case study by SOS Children’s Villages Bulgaria. Last but not least, we managed to provide the second place award (participation in an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Greece), which went to the team that addressed the issue of energy poverty.

For our team, it was such an honor to co-create with young changemakers, mentors from NGOs and businesses, and, of course, the phenomenal people of Better Community Club who organized this social entrepreneurship competition—a powerful source of inspiration, connection, and hope!