Science and informal education as innovation drivers in south east Europe

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of boosting interest in science and innovation of youth through informal education provided by science centres in forms of thematic science festivals. In this context, the focus of the paper is set on presenting the case of the first South East European (SEE) Science Festival developed in the framework of the SEE Science project. Then, the paper presents the structural design of the festival which ultimately enabled a proper integration of a transnational consortium's input into the framework of a locally managed event with the intended local outreach of science and innovation for youth. The positive outcomes driven by the structural design of the first SEE Science Festival can serve as a good reference point for other science centres from SEE that intend to boost youth's interest in science and innovation.