Young Innovators to Compete at RoboFin Robotics Contest on November 1

A national robotics competition for young students, named RoboFin, is set to take place on November 1, 2025, at the “Novka Ubović” Elementary School in Podgorica. This event is organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MPNI), the Central Bank of Montenegro, and the Fund for Innovation in Montenegro. It coincides with the Week of Savings and aims to promote innovative teaching methods, along with STEM education and financial literacy.

The competition is part of the national program titled “Robotics for the Young”, which encourages students to engage in practical and enjoyable tasks. Participants will have the opportunity to assemble and program educational robots through the “First Time Coding & Robotics” initiative, all while learning fundamental principles of saving and responsible money management.

Students from grades one to four are eligible to participate, forming teams of two to four members, guided by a mentor, typically a teacher experienced in robotics. Each mentor can oversee multiple teams, and schools may register as many teams as they have robotics kits available. Registration is open until October 20, 2025, via an online form at www.robotikazanajmladje.me/prijava-tima.

Dr. Anđela Jakić-Stojanović, the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, emphasized the significance of this event, stating that RoboFin is not just a competition but a chance for children to learn in a familiar and natural way. She noted, “Robotics fosters curiosity, logical thinking, and creativity, and when combined with financial literacy, it becomes a powerful tool for developing life skills that will be invaluable for children in the future.”

In a similar vein, Irena Radović, Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro, highlighted that financial literacy is a crucial life skill that should be nurtured from an early age. She remarked, “Societies that invest in the financial education of children and youth create citizens who understand the value of money, planning, and responsible spending. Such societies are more prosperous, resilient, and better prepared to face economic challenges.”

The “Robotics for the Young” program was launched in 2022 as a pilot project and has since evolved into a national initiative, thanks to the support from the Central Bank of Montenegro. It now encompasses all elementary schools across the country.

For more information about the competition and team registrations, interested parties can visit www.robotikazanajmladje.me or follow the Instagram page @robotikazanajmladje.