Sarajevo is hosting the Junior Balkan Olympiad in Informatics 2026, bringing together approximately 90 participants from 13 countries for one of the region’s leading international competitions for young programmers.
The event runs from September 22 through September 28 and marks the first time Bosnia and Herzegovina has hosted the Junior Balkan Olympiad in Informatics, also known as JBOI.
Around 55 young competitors are participating alongside team leaders, national delegations, organizers and international guests.
Young Programmers From 13 Countries Compete
Participants are arriving from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Moldova, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
As the host country, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be represented by two teams with a total of eight competitors.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 23 at Sarajevo City Hall. Competitors, mentors, national delegations, diplomats, academics, institutional representatives and event partners are expected to attend.
Muamer Parić, president of the JBOI 2026 Organizing Committee, said organizers had prepared extensively to deliver a high-quality competition and introduce international guests to Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Education provided 120,000 convertible marks in financial support for the event.
Officials described the funding as part of continued investment in exceptional students, participation in national and international academic competitions and Sarajevo’s development as a host of major international events.
Junior Balkan Olympiad Tests Advanced Programming Skills
JBOI is an algorithmic programming competition requiring logical and mathematical thinking, knowledge of algorithms and data structures, and the ability to solve complex coding problems.
The competitive rounds will be held on September 24 and September 26. Each round will last four hours.
Participants will also take part in cultural and social activities designed to introduce them to Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s historical and cultural heritage.
The program includes opportunities for students to exchange experiences with peers from other countries, as well as a full-day visit to Mostar.
The Junior Balkan Olympiad in Informatics has been held since 2007, with Bosnia and Herzegovina participating since its first edition.
JBOI 2026 is organized by the Association of Informatics Olympiads in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Education, the University of Sarajevo’s Faculty of Science, the Institute for Pre-University Education Development and other partners.
The closing ceremony and awards presentation for the highest-ranking competitors will be held on September 27
