As part of the Coca-Cola Youth Support Initiative and the EYC Knowledge Caravan, the University of Donja Gorica will host a one-day educational event #StartSmart: Your First Step into the Business World on Thursday, December 11, 2025. This full-day program is aimed at empowering young people through the development of practical knowledge and skills that will help them step more confidently into the business world, with the support of representatives of the academic community, business, and youth organizations.
The event is designed as an educational program that combines practical modules and direct interaction with lecturers and mentors, and is structured in the form of a business case competition. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their skills in negotiation, strategic planning, identifying market opportunities and presenting business solutions through working on a given challenge, with the support of experts from the academic and business sectors, as well as innovation organizations.
The young people will Google formulas register their teams for participation, which will then jointly develop business ideas through educational modules and mentoring support from representatives of Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro, the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro and the University of Donja Gorica. The teams will present their solutions through final pitch presentations, followed by the selection and awarding of the most successful ones as judged by the jury.
Speaking about the importance of this event, Zvezdana Vuletić, Community Relations Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and Montenegro, emphasized that the Coca-Cola Youth Support program has a long-term mission of strengthening the competencies of young people in Montenegro: "With the Coca-Cola Youth Support initiative, we want to enable young people to gain practical competencies that will help them navigate the modern job market more confidently. Events like #StartSmart Days are a platform where young people can learn from experts, connect with each other, and build skills that will follow them throughout their careers.", said Vuletic.
On behalf of the Center for Youth Education and the European Youth Card (EYC) project, Executive Director of the organization, Mr. Jugoslav Radović stresses the importance of bringing together different actors to strengthen the competences of young people: "Through the European Youth Card (EYC), we are continuously working to provide young people in Montenegro with access to the knowledge, opportunities and networks they need for their personal and professional development. We believe that quality preparation for the labor market occurs precisely at the intersection of formal education, practical skills and support from the business sector. This is why strategic partnerships like this one, with Coca-Cola HBC and Montenegrin universities, are crucial because they offer young people concrete tools, real-world experiences and a safer entry into the business world.", emphasized Radović.
The University of Donja Gorica says that partnership in this type of program is a natural continuation of the mission of this institution.
"On behalf of the University of Donja Gorica, I am pleased to participate in #StartSmart Day. We see this event as another step in the continuity of activities that, together with our partners, we dedicate to students. At UDG, we believe that their strength lies in an environment that encourages them to: explore, connect, grow, build relationships with people who inspire them, develop ideas through experiences that change perspectives and open new paths. We strive to build exactly such an environment year after year. Cooperation with Coca-Cola HBC is important to us because it fits into our vision of providing students with support that accompanies them through important decisions and helps them shape their path"," emphasized the Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Milica Vukotić.
The #StartSmart event will be open to all young people who want to try their hand at the business world and who want to learn how to go from an initial idea to an innovative and sustainable solution through strategic planning, understanding the market, and applying modern digital tools.
The complete agenda is available. HERE.
( Coca-Cola HBC Crna Gora )
