English will be the primary working language of the camp, including expert presentations, workshops, mentoring and joint activities.

Participants should have a working knowledge of English sufficient to follow presentations, understand instructions and participate in collaborative activities. Fluency is not required.

During independent teamwork, participants may communicate in English, Macedonian or Albanian, provided that all team members can understand and participate fully. English will be encouraged as the common language, particularly in linguistically mixed teams.

Occasional clarification in Macedonian or Albanian will be available when needed, but continuous translation will not be provided.

Participants will stay at Hotel Centro Biznis, a four-star residential conference hotel in Vinica, North Macedonia.

Accommodation will be provided in shared triple and quadruple rooms, with three or four participants per room. Rooms will be allocated by gender, with individual needs and reasonable accommodation requests considered wherever practicable.

The hotel also provides dining facilities, dedicated training and workshop rooms, internet access and indoor and outdoor common areas. Organising staff will stay at the same venue, providing 24-hour supervision and participant support.

Room assignments and residential conduct rules will be communicated to participants and their parents or guardians before arrival.

Participants will receive full-board catering throughout the residential camp, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and scheduled refreshment breaks. Drinking water and refreshments will be available during educational activities.

Dietary requirements, food allergies, medical conditions, religious dietary considerations and other nutritional needs will be collected during participant registration and communicated to the hotel and catering providers in advance.

Families should provide complete information about allergies, intolerances and other dietary needs during registration and notify the organising team directly of any severe allergies or special medical requirements. Subject to confirmation with the caterer: vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options will be available on request.

Catering for the final Innovation Expo & Demo Day in Skopje will be arranged separately.

NewMan’s Business Accelerator will provide participant accident insurance for the duration of the camp. The insurance will be arranged in December 2026, and the coverage details will be shared with NOVA Space once finalised.

Applicants must first meet all official CASSINI Space Camp eligibility requirements. Only eligible applications will proceed to the selection stage.

Eligible applicants will then be assessed on two additional criteria: motivation and sufficient working knowledge of English to participate effectively in the programme.

The motivational statement, limited to 500 words, will be reviewed for the applicant’s curiosity, self-motivation, initiative, willingness to learn, readiness to participate actively throughout the full programme, ability to collaborate, and potential contribution to a team. Particular attention will be given to applicants who demonstrate genuine interest in exploring new topics, taking initiative, asking questions, contributing ideas and making full use of the learning and mentoring opportunities offered by the camp. Previous experience in space, science, technology, innovation or entrepreneurship is not required, and academic grades will not be used as a selection criterion.

Applicants will also provide a short self-assessment of their English-language experience and confidence in following presentations, understanding instructions, participating in group discussions, explaining ideas and giving a short presentation in English. Fluency is not required. Applicants should have a working level of English sufficient to participate in the camp, while occasional clarification in Macedonian or Albanian may be provided when needed.

Applications will be reviewed against these criteria and the final cohort selected from the highest-rated eligible applicants, while also aiming for a balanced and diverse participant group. All applicants will be informed of the outcome by email after the selection process is completed.

The camp combines hands-on STEM workshops, real-world field experiences, outdoor exploration, entrepreneurship simulations and collaborative innovation challenges. 

1. Space-for-Earth Field Visits (Vinica–Shtip Region) — Participants will explore real challenges related to agriculture, environmental monitoring, mobility and disaster resilience, engaging with local experts and institutions. Status: Planned; specific visits and schedules being finalised. 

2. University “Goce Delchev” – Shtip Visits and Demonstrations — Participants will engage with researchers, explore scientific applications and experience practical demonstrations connecting space technologies with local challenges. Status: Planned with an established academic partner; detailed arrangements pending. 

3. Earth Observation and GIS Workshops — Hands-on activities using satellite imagery, Copernicus data and digital maps to explore land use, climate resilience and smart communities. Status: Confirmed as part of the curriculum. 

4. Rocket Workshop and Rover Lab — Participants will explore basic aerospace engineering and robotics through practical construction, experimentation and team challenges. Status: Confirmed as part of the curriculum. 

5. Astronomy Night and Kokino Observatory Visit — Guided night-sky observation and exploration of astronomical heritage with experienced astronomy educators and licensed mountain guides. Status: Planned; subject to weather conditions and final logistical arrangements. 

6. New Space Startup and Investment Games — Interactive simulations introducing space entrepreneurship, startup development, investment decisions and cooperation between public and private organisations. Status: Confirmed as part of the curriculum. 

7. Mission Patch Design and Space Exploration Activities — Creative workshops connecting the history of space exploration with mission design, storytelling and teamwork. Status: Confirmed as part of the curriculum. 

8. Space Talks and Career Speed Mentoring — Interactive discussions with local and international professionals about careers in space science, engineering, technology and entrepreneurship. Status: Confirmed in principle; final expert schedules and participation formats pending. 

9. CASSINI Innovation Expo & Demo Day (Skopje) — Participants will showcase their space-enabled solutions through project exhibitions, prototypes, presentations and jury discussions. Status: Planned with an established institutional partner; final event arrangements pending.