“BACK TO THE FUTURE”: Interactive Online Courses in Futures Literacy for Students

In a time of rapid technological and societal changes, it is increasingly important for young people to be able to “read” the future, recognize trends, imagine alternative scenarios, and make informed decisions amid uncertainty. Over the next three years, the Institute of Communication Studies (ICS), together with five regional partners, will work to develop these skills among students in the Western Balkans through the project “Back to the Future – Enhancing Futures Literacy through Interactive Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the Western Balkans.”

The project will connect students from North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Montenegro through joint learning and intercultural exchange. Within the project, four open online courses (MOOCs) will be developed, each lasting six weeks and combining interactive webinars, small-group work, weekly assignments and a

final presentation. Participants will work in regional teams of five to six students, supported by mentoring and continuous feedback.

The courses will address topics relevant to young people’s future, such as digital transformation, climate activism, media literacy and human rights, as well as the development of critical thinking and strategic planning skills.

Led by ICS, the project is implemented in partnership with faculties from the region: the Faculty of Organizational Sciences at the University of Belgrade, the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Sarajevo, VERN’ University in Zagreb, the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Tirana, and the Faculty of Economics at the University of Montenegro.