Challenge Lab Re:Generator: Applications Open for Young Innovators with Solutions for More Sustainable Agriculture
Students, young researchers and startups with ideas on how to produce food while preserving healthy soil can develop their solutions with the support of industry mentors and present them to an expert jury as part of the third Challenge Lab Re. Applications are open until 15 November, and the two best solutions will receive cash prizes of EUR 800 and EUR 500.
Eligible applicants include undergraduate, master's and doctoral students from all higher education institutions in Serbia, as well as entrepreneurs and early-stage startups interested in agriculture and sustainable development. Solutions may address one or more aspects of regenerative agriculture, ranging from the optimal use of land and bioresources to financial and human resources and the efficient functioning of ecosystems, with the aim of preventing further soil degradation and making agricultural production more sustainable.
Candidates must apply individually through the online application form by 15 November 2026, at 11:59 p.m., with the option to indicate whom they would like to be teamed up with. The organiser will form teams during the introductory workshop, ensuring equal opportunities for all participants. Places are limited, and selected candidates will receive confirmation of their participation by email.
The programme begins with an introductory workshop on 17 November, where participants will learn about the topics and meet mentors from the food and agriculture sectors. Online workshops and individual mentoring sessions will follow until 23 November, with teams applying design thinking principles as they develop their ideas and submit their final solutions.
The final event is scheduled for 25 November in Belgrade, where teams will have ten minutes to present their ideas to an expert jury.
All teams will receive certificates of participation. In addition to cash prizes for the two winning teams, other participants will have the opportunity to win vouchers for EIT Food programmes. Startups will also have the opportunity to showcase their own solutions during a special presentation segment at the final event.
The competition is organised by NALED in its capacity as EIT Food's national representative in Serbia. Applications are open via this link, while the competition rules and further information are available on the NALED Challenge Lab 2026 page.
For any questions, please contact Jovana Perić, Regulatory Reform Coordinator, at j.peric@naled.rs.
The EIT Food Hub operates within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which also has its Community Hub in Belgrade. More information about EIT programmes is available at eit-ris.eu/serbia-2.
