BACK TO THE FUTURE – Enhancing Futures Literacy through Interactive MOOCs in the Western Balkans

BACK TO THE FUTURE (BTTF) is a regional initiative that empowers university students from North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro to better understand, imagine, and shape the future. The project introduces Futures Literacy, a transformative skill for understanding and shaping the future. Through the development of interactive Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), the project will explore critical topics such as digital transformation, climate activism, media literacy and human rights.

These courses will be implemented twice – once in the second year and repeated in the third year. Over two years, more than 1,800 students will participate in four MOOCs covering digital transformation, media and information ecosystems, climate activism, human rights, the future of work, and communication. Through cross-border teamwork and real-world scenario assignments, participants strengthen their digital, analytical, and soft skills while engaging in meaningful intercultural exchange.

The courses are designed and delivered by six universities from the Western Balkans, creating a vibrant virtual learning space that promotes collaboration, inclusivity, and high-quality digital education. The project also supports higher-education institutions in integrating Futures Literacy into their curricula and offers open-access materials to ensure long-lasting benefits.

By equipping young people with the tools to navigate uncertainty and actively shape their societies, BTTF contributes to democratic engagement, digital resilience, and regional cooperation across the Western Balkans.

Duration: 2026–2028

Donor: European Union (Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges)

Budget: 346,176 EUR

Coordinator: Institute of Communication Studies (ICS), Skopje

Partners: University of Tirana – Faculty of Natural Sciences & Faculty of Social Sciences (Albania); University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Political Sciences (Bosnia and Herzegovina); VERN University (Croatia); University of Montenegro – Faculty of Economics (Montenegro); University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organisational Sciences (Serbia)