IVCL Project Work 2025– Grand Finale Showcases International Collaboration and Innovation

June 4, 2025 – The Grand Finale of the IVCL Project Work 2025 spotlighted creativity, cross-border teamwork, and sustainable innovation, bringing together over 100 students from across Europe to reimagine the future of tourism in the Balkans.

Over the course of 9 dynamic weeks, 13 international student teams collaborated virtually to develop forward-thinking solutions to support Trans Dinarica, a cross-border initiative promoting sustainable tourism through biking, cultural exploration, and local empowerment in the Western Balkans.

Collaborative Innovation Across Border

Over the course of the project, student teams worked in a fully virtual, cross-cultural environment to develop creative and technically informed proposals. Their solutions addressed current gaps in sustainable tourism and community engagement, covering a diverse range of focus areas:

• Smart platforms for booking eco-experiences

• Offline GPS & navigation for remote cycling trails

• Lake Circuit tour planning with local guides

• Artisan food & craft discovery apps

• Immersive audio guides sharing untold local stories

• Community learning tools to empower local stakeholders

These solutions demonstrated strong analytical and communication skills, innovative thinking, and a deep understanding of community-centered and environmentally responsible tourism.

Institutional Partnership and Support

The IVCL Project Work 2025 was made possible through the dedicated involvement of academic staff and eTutors from the following institutions:

• Epoka University (Albania)
• Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Innovazione, University of Salento (Italy)
• International Burch University (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• European University of Tirana (Albania)
• University of Montenegro (Montenegro)
• University of East Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Kolegji Biznesi (Kosovo)
• Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)
• International School for Social and Business Studies (ISSBS) (Slovenia)
• University of Business and Technology (Kosovo)

Each institution played a vital role in mentoring the students, facilitating collaboration, and contributing academic expertise to support the development of high-quality project outcomes.

The final event included a presentation of all team proposals and a juried selection of the most outstanding ideas. The winning teams were recognized for their originality, feasibility, and impact:

First Place: Echoes of Dinarica – Hear the Balkans, Feel the Story
This project proposed an immersive offline audio guide experience that brings to life the personal stories, cultural traditions, and historical narratives of the Balkan region.
Team Members: Angela Cani, Melina Jaçe, Alisa Zana, Amar Mahmutović, Bardh Brahaj, Kamelia Hadžijusufović, Matty Driesnack, Vinicius Bueno Lobo Martins

Second Place: Bicycles as a Sustainable Mode of Transportation
This team focused on strategies to promote bicycle use for both tourism and daily mobility, integrating infrastructure and digital mapping tools.
Team Members: Gordana Radulović, Nudžejma Čengić, Lejla Siručić, Marina Giusto, Abdullah Mouakket, Luca Birkner, Monica Rezende

Third Place (Shared):
QuestDinarica – An interactive, game-based travel experience designed to educate and engage tourists while exploring the region.
Team Members: Emir Šabanović, Van Trung Tran Tommy, Fritsche Maxim, Maha Edmond, Dzejna Isanovic, Alikadic Kenan, Juljan Rapo, Ahmed Krečo, Hamza Hadzimesic.

The Forum – A community-centered project promoting intercultural dialogue through curated events and local participation hubs along the trail.
Team Members: Adna Gugić, Antigona Llozhi, Blendi Kozmallari, Devis Dervishi, Dragana Rakonjac, Elfat Memaj, Julija Lambulić, Juri Liçkollari, Zerina Begu.

Looking Ahead
The IVCL Project Work continues to demonstrate the power of international virtual collaboration in addressing real-world challenges. This year’s edition not only provided students with valuable intercultural and professional experience but also generated tangible ideas that have the potential to contribute to the sustainable development of the Trans Dinarica trail and the broader Western Balkans region.