The team from the Secondary School "Gosho Vikentiev" from Kochani won second place at the prestigious international competition POPRI!  

With particular joy and pride, we announce that the team from the Secondary Municipal School "Gosho Vikentiev" - Kochani, consisting of Sara Nikolova, Velincho Kitanov, Matea Sazdova and Mia Andreeva, under the mentorship of Professor Roza Nedelkova Vojnovska, represented the Republic of North Macedonia at the prestigious international competition POPRI International Youth Business Model Competition, which was held on the island of Crete, Greece.

The team competed with its innovative project RIСONIC - a solution in the field of ecological cleaning and sustainable living, which aims to offer a practical and efficient alternative for reducing pollution and supporting eco-conscious practices. Thanks to their dedication, vision and excellent presentation, the team won second place, achieving outstanding success at the international level, in competition with peers and young entrepreneurs from numerous European countries.

The RICONIC project is the result of a long and intensive process of research, development and testing, in which the students worked with enthusiasm and an innovative spirit, under the careful guidance of Professor Nedelkova Vojnovska and with expert support from the team of the Center for Knowledge Management (CKM). CKM actively contributed to the development of the business model, the preparation for the final presentation and the overall strategy for presenting the competition.

This significant success is a clear confirmation of the creative potential, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit of young people from our country, but also a motive to continue investing more in their development, education and support of innovations.

As part of the prize, the team will visit the Primorski Technology Park in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, where they will have the opportunity to meet potential collaborators and investors, as well as to advance their knowledge, networks and opportunities for the implementation and commercialization of the RIСONIC project.

Sincere congratulations to the entire team for their perseverance, innovation and brilliant performance at the national and international level! Such stories are proof that when young people receive support and space for development, they can achieve truly great things.

Go RIСONIC! Go young innovators!