Innovation Nation 2026 Begins at BHFF House With Its First-Ever Hosted Event
On 3 October 2026, the BH Futures Foundation hosted the onboarding event for the third edition of Innovation Nation, marking an important milestone for the Foundation: it was the first event hosted at the newly established BHFF House.
The event brought together the new Innovation Nation cohort, members of the BHFF community, program leadership, and guests interested in the stories of young people building their futures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A New Chapter for Innovation Nation
Innovation Nation is an international innovation and entrepreneurship program implemented by BHFF in collaboration with IEEE, bringing young people together to develop ideas, explore entrepreneurship, and work on solutions to real-world challenges.
The program has an international foundation, but its presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina is closely connected to Edhem Eddie Čustović, who brought the Innovation Nation concept to the country through BHFF. As a member of IEEE and IEEE Bosnia and Herzegovina Chair, Eddie has played an important role in connecting the international IEEE innovation ecosystem with young talent in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Now entering its third edition, Innovation Nation continues to provide participants with an environment in which they can develop ideas, build entrepreneurial and innovation skills, and connect with mentors and peers.
The onboarding event at BHFF House marked the beginning of another chapter of that journey.
The First Event at BHFF House
Beyond launching the new Innovation Nation cohort, the event carried special significance for BHFF as the first event hosted at BHFF House.
The space provided a new setting for members of the Foundation's community to gather, connect, and begin new initiatives together. Hosting Innovation Nation's onboarding there represented a natural starting point for a space designed to support the development of young people and the wider BHFF community.
The event was chaired by Ena Milković, BHFF Alumna, who leads the Innovation Nation journey together with Sara Habibija, BHFF Senior Fellow Scholar.
Together, they will support the new cohort throughout the program, helping participants navigate the different stages of their Innovation Nation experience.
Welcoming the New Cohort
The onboarding gave participants an opportunity to become familiar with the program, meet the people involved, and begin building the community that will accompany them throughout the coming months.
For a program centered on innovation and entrepreneurship, creating connections from the very beginning is an important part of the experience. Innovation Nation is not only about developing an idea, but also about learning from others, exchanging perspectives, receiving feedback, and gradually turning an initial concept into something with real potential.
The new cohort now begins that process from BHFF House.
BHFF Leadership Welcomes Innovation Nation
The participants were also addressed by Samir Mahmić, Executive Director of BHFF, who welcomed the new Innovation Nation cohort and emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for young people to learn, experiment, and build their professional futures.
His address also connected the beginning of the new cohort with the broader mission of BHFF: creating spaces and opportunities through which young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina can develop their potential and connect with international communities.
Innovation Nation in the Spotlight
The onboarding also attracted international media attention.
Representatives of Česká televize, the Czech public television broadcaster, attended the event as part of a story exploring the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the experiences and achievements of successful young people in the country.
Journalist Andreas Papadopulos was present during the event and spoke with members of the BHFF community about their experiences and perspectives.
Omar Gheith and BHFF Alumna Melisa Musić also gave interviews, contributing their perspectives to the story being developed about young people, their opportunities, and their experiences in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Their participation added another dimension to the event, showing how initiatives that support young people can also become part of broader international conversations about Bosnia and Herzegovina and its next generation.
From an International Idea to a Local Community
Innovation Nation represents a powerful connection between international innovation networks and local young talent.
Through IEEE and the work of Edhem Eddie Čustović, an international innovation concept found a home in Bosnia and Herzegovina through BHFF. Three editions later, the program continues to bring together young people who are interested in entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and creating meaningful solutions.
The third edition now begins at a particularly symbolic location — BHFF House, the new home for gatherings, learning, collaboration, and community-building.
The onboarding on 3 October was therefore more than the first meeting of a new cohort. It marked the beginning of the third Innovation Nation journey in Bosnia and Herzegovina and, at the same time, the beginning of a new chapter for BHFF House.
As the participants move forward, they will have the opportunity to develop their ideas, challenge their assumptions, learn from mentors and one another, and explore what it means to turn innovation into action.
Gratitude to Our Donors
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our donors. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported this vision and enabled BHFF to secure a permanent home. Thanks to your generosity, young minds now have a dedicated space to gather, collaborate, create new stories, and bring transformative ideas to life.