B4Students, part of Mane Foundation, has become a key bridge between education and industry for students, offering valuable opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. Recently, a group of 50 students from Erhvervsakademi Aarhus University in Denmark visited the offices of leading retail companies within the BALFIN Group, including Neptun, Jumbo, Fashion Group Albania, […]

#Here2Empower initiative, part of the B4Students program and supported by the Mane Foundation in education, continues to bridge the gap between theory and practice by connecting students with real-world job market experiences through lectures delivered by BALFIN Group experts. Recently, an open lecture was held at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and was led by […]

B4Students program from Mane Foundation and its winning project, “Skill Up Academy,” finished a series of sessions aimed at developing life and professional skills for young people. The sessions featured experienced public figures who shared their knowledge. The closing session was held at the Amphitheater of the University of Medicine in Tirana, with over 300 students attending. Special […]

In an increasingly dynamic and fast-paced world, one of the main challenges for students and young professionals is managing the balance between studies, work, and personal life. This is a crucial discussion that requires special attention, and precisely for this reason, the fourth session of Skill UpAcademy, a winning project of the B4Students Social Clubs […]

We are beyond excited to present the second issue of B4Students Tales, a collection of inspiring stories that highlight the energy, creativity, and achievements of our vibrant community over the past six months. From dynamic competitions and hands-on workshops to unforgettable events that have left a lasting mark, B4Students has been a hub of innovation […]

Mane Foundation continues to contribute to education and learning, for a generation that is motivated and prepared for the challenges of the future. Through the B4Students program and its winning project, “Skill Up Academy,” a series of meetings are being held with prominent public figures, where interested students become part of a fruitful discussion, sharing […]

B4Students is now a supporter of the Skill Up Academy, an initiative that’s all about equipping Albanian students with important life skills that go beyond the classroom. Over 100 students joined the first lecture at the University of Medicine in Tirana, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for students across various fields. The first […]

Skill Up Academy, the winning initiative of the 2024 B4Students Social Clubs call, is a project designed to equip students with essential life skills and practical knowledge to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. The project was created by a passionate team of students—Armelda Ago, Armando Lekaj, and Esmeralda Sherifi—who share a commitment to improving student […]

More than 40 students from the Physics Department at the Faculty of Natural Sciences gathered for an inspiring workshop on Product Development, organized by BALFIN Group as part of its #Here2Empower initiative. The session featured Orhan Hajri, a seasoned expert in product development with extensive experience in designing information management systems for banking and retail […]

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week Albania, Mane Foundation and B4Students, hosted a Study Visit at BALFIN Retail Offices offering students from universities across the country a unique opportunity to explore Albania’s dynamic retail sector. The visit brought together aspiring young professionals eager to deepen their understanding of retail operations, innovation, and career possibilities within […]

In an inspiring convergence of ideas, experience, and ambition, “Entrepreneurs Unleashed: Founder Stories and New Startups” brought together 50 aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and seasoned business leaders for a dynamic event aimed at empowering Albania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Organized by Mane Foundation, B4Students, and Tirana Business University (TBU), the event provided a platform for fostering mentorship, skill […]

As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, Samir Mane, President of BALFIN Group, held an inspiring session with young participants of the “B4Students” program, an initiative by Mane Foundation designed to support students. During the event, Mane shared his success story, motivating attendees to pursue their dreams and ambitions in the business world. Mane reflected […]

On Tuesday, “Riciklo Kreativ” exhibition took place at TEG, marking the third consecutive year that the largest shopping center in the country as hosted it, thanks to a fruitful collaboration with Mane Foundation, the B4students program from BALFIN Group, and the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning in Tirana. 44 students applied to participate in […]

We are thrilled to announce the unveiling of the first issue of B4Students Tales, a digital magazine that aims to amplify student voices and showcase opportunities for youth and education in Albania, supported by the Mane Foundation. The vibrant and cohesive visual identity of this inaugural issue is the work of none other than the […]

The 5th edition of B4Students’ highly anticipated Business Idea Competition has produced its next generation of young entrepreneurs. The demo-day placed the finalists in front of the jury, with the two best pitches winning funding and mentoring from the B4Students program, part of Mane Foundation. This competition has grown into a significant event for budding student […]

Internships have been traditionally considered as a very important instrument to bring students closer to the enterprise world. There are several benefits that can be observed from internships. They can implement theoretical knowledge, tools, and concepts acquired at university, thereby improving understanding of the knowledge from a more practical perspective. Also, students can improve employability […]

The students of “Aleksandër Moisiu” University in Durrës welcomed the President of BALFIN Group, Samir Mane, for an open discussion to share his success model and ideas about the future of the economy, tourism, and entrepreneurship in Albania. Invited by the students and the business faculty of this university, the President of BALFIN Group emphasized […]

#Here2Empower initiative, part of B4Students program and Mane Foundation’s commitment to education and youth, provides universities with a platform for the voluntary engagement of BALFIN Group experts in training activities tailored to the needs of the learning process. This initiative aims to reduce the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Introduced in 2023, the […]

The 5th edition of the Business Idea Competition is an open invitation to all students who have a business idea and want to develop it further, as a team or individually, with B4Students’ support. Participants have the opportunity to receive a grant of up to 5000 Euros for starting a business, preferential terms lending in […]

#Here2Empower: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice The #Here2Empower initiative from the B4Students program, part of the Mane Foundation’s contribution to education and youth, offers universities a platform for the voluntary engagement of BALFIN Group experts in formative activities. This initiative aims to reduce the gap between theoretical training and practical application, ensuring students […]

The “Young Innovators 2024” competition marked the culmination of the Innovation course at the Management Department, Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana, drawing over 300 attendees to the Liria building. Among them were Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bernard Dosti, Vice Deans, faculty members, and representatives from various sectors. Dr. Nertila Busho, the Innovation course […]

A new step towards being closer to higher education institutions was taken from BALFIN Group this time in the touristic city of Vlora. The President of BALFIN Group Mr. Samir Mane visited “Ismail Qemali” University and held a formal meeting with the Rector of the University of Vlora, Mr. Roland Zisi. University of Vlora counts […]

B4Students concluded its fourth Business Challenge Competition with three winners. This edition’s target was the Happy App, the digital product of the biggest loyalty program in Albania, Happy, managed by OnSolutions. 9 finalists presented their project-ideas to the BALFIN Group-composed jury. For this open call, the BALFIN Group company shared with the students two of […]

B4Students launches the 4th edition of Business Challenge Competition, this time in collaboration with On Solutions company, part of BALFIN Group. The Business Challenges Competition, organized by the B4Students program, in collaboration with BALFIN Group companies, is an activity dedicated to students who compete with their proposals for solving real business problems. The main aim […]

For the second year in a row, TEG has welcomed and supported the creative activity of architecture students, participants in the international competition Recycle – Creative, organized by the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in Tirana, in partnership with the Mane Foundation, the B4Students program and the GO2 Albania organization. 18 lamps for urban and […]

B4Students, the most prominent Albanian platform for students, has launched the latest call for applications for the Internship and Employment Program, which will take place during September – December 2023. Students from all the universities of the country and beyond its borders will have the opportunity to grow professionally at the companies of BALFIN Group, […]

In a Demo Day format, the seven finalists of the fourth edition of the Business Ideas Competition presented their ideas to the jury, where two of them were announced winners. The B4Students program will help them with funding and mentoring for their implementation. The Living App business plan by Nadiela Ahmeti, a student in the […]

Vlora Marina welcomed another group of students on a site visit, this time from the Faculty of Architecture at the Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel. 24 future architects visited the tourism project in the coastal city as part of the B4Students program initiative to introduce students up close to the field they study. The […]

23 students from Polis University visited the “Vlora Marina” tourism project in the coastal city, as part of the B4Students program initiative, to provide aspiring engineers with real work experience. The visit was a combination of observing site works and interacting with industry professionals. Accompanied by the three lecturers, Endri Duro, Flogerta Krosi and Albi […]

Informing and raising students’ awareness about cryptocurrencies was the focus of the social project carried out by the ABC Tirana Club student group in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics in Tirana, with the financial support of B4Students. The idea for the project was presented at the call for Social Clubs, organized by B4Students, in […]

The finalists of the third edition of the Business Ideas Competition presented their ideas to the jury, in the Demo Day format, and three of them were announced as winners, which the B4Students program will help set up. The business plan “Pi Center 3.14” by Marjolin Jahja, a student at the Polytechnical University of Tirana, aims to […]

Increasing the viewership of a television with an economic profile like SCAN TV among young people was the challenge for students participating in the Business Challenge Competition’s third edition, organized by the B4Students program. The 9 finalists presented their proposals to the jury of the competition on the premises of SCAN TV. The representatives of […]

Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, at the University of Arts in Tirana, have new opportunities for the development of the creative process in their multimedia laboratory. Tirana East Gate and the B4Students program have supported the initiative of a group of students to equip their learning environment with monitors suitable for graphic work. […]

“Sustainable Fashion” is the exhibition opened in Tirana East Gate shopping center premises with recycled clothes, the work of students of the Textile and Fashion Department, Polytechnic University of Tirana, supported from the B4Students program. The idea for the exhibition was presented in the call for Social Clubs organized by B4Students, in support of social […]

Experienced and passionate in the textile industry and the world of fashion, as well as a business idea in 2022, Martina Mesha surpassed time and created a new brand of sportswear. “Compact Collection” is a start-up that Martina started under the support from B4Students program, while continuing her master’s studies. The idea was presented in […]

Aiming for the students to ensure qualitative professional skills and employment on job profiles related to their studies at an earlier phase of their career, for the second time this year B4Students is organizing the Internship and Employment Program. Until December 2022, for 3 consecutive months, the selected students will be located in 10 companies […]

How can Tirana Bank better meet the needs and expectations of young people in Albania with dedicated products, services, and activities, for a friendlier experience? 9 finalist students of the Business Challenge Competition, organized by B4Students, in cooperation with Tirana Bank, responded to this challenge with their solutions. A jury with representatives of the bank, […]

Waking up every morning surrounded by nature, the fresh sea breeze, and the wonderful aroma of olive trees, can without hesitation be considered the definition of a relaxing vacation. For those passionate about adventure tourism, Olive Camping in Himara is the newest destination, a project of student Erasmia Varfi, made possible with the support of […]

TEG shopping center supports the “RECYCLING – CREATIVE” student competition, organized by the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in Albania, in partnership with B4Students program and BERC. 12 seats for urban and interior environments, created with recyclable material by the students participating in the competition, were exhibited in the internal premises of TEG. The exhibition […]

The Faculty of Natural Sciences in Tirana is the next institution to receive support with infrastructure investments from the B4Students program, created by BALFIN Group. The 4 teaching laboratories, C ++, Mathematical and Informatics Engineering, Molecular Biotechnology, Inorganic Chemistry, as well as the meeting room, are equipped with information and communication technology equipment, identified by […]

12 finalists of the Business Ideas Competition’s 2nd edition presented on May 6 their business projects in front of the jury of the B4Students program, in a dedicated “Demo Day” format activity. The two best business ideas selected by the jury will be funded with a grant, as support for starting their activity. The “COMPACT” business […]

The interest of students in Albania on professional training at BALFIN Group and its companies is always on the rise. In the second call for applications in the Internship and Employment program from B4Students, which supports students in vocational training, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and social clubs, it turns out that the number of applications has increased […]

The “Social Corner” represents the best gift at the end of this year for the Faculty of Social Sciences in Tirana sponsored by the B4Students program. Dean PhD. Prof. Edmond Rapti and other members of the Dean’s Office inaugurated the new premises on the 23rd of December, together with representatives of B4Students and students of this […]

The 11 finalist students presented their solutions on November 18th in front of the jury of the Business Challenge Competition, organized by the B4Students program, in partnership with the companies Balfin Real Estate & Hospitality and Green Coast Resort & Residences. At the end of the activity, the jury evaluated the finalists’ the presentations and distinguished […]

The need of young people in Albania for professional development and career opportunities is very high. Albanian youth is energetic, ambitious, and has dreams. This was also proved in the first call for applications of the Internship and Employment program from B4Students, a program dedicated to students, which is already supporting them in various forms. […]

10 selected finalists presented their business projects in front of the jury on July 23rd, in the framework of the Business Ideas Competition, organized by the B4Students program. The jury of the competition selected two business ideas that will be financed by BALFIN Group and are expected to be implemented by the students. Erasmia Varfi, […]

Whoever thinks that young people lack initiative, ambition, desire to work, or entrepreneurial ideas is wrong. One of the most recent social studies conducted in the Western Balkans has shown that most young people are inquisitive, have more new ideas, and have more entrepreneurial spirit than other age groups. As expected, students are the category […]