The main goal of the UPLIFT Western Balkans project is to build an international start-up acceleration program that will make the support of start-up entrepreneurs in the region more effective. The project builds on the excellent results of the previous UPLIFT Albania project, which was initiated thanks to the support of SlovakAid (2019-2021) and the transfer of know-how from the Slovak start-up ecosystem. The result was the creation of the first international start-up program in Albania (https://uplift.al/), which in two years of existence has built a network of dozens of mentors and experts, investors and a strong brand beyond Albania. The significant impact of the UPLIFT program subsequently attracted other important partners (e.g., Vodafone and Raiffeisen) as well as other foreign donors (Switzerland and the EU). The aim of the new project is therefore to extend the entire program to other countries in the Western Balkans, especially to Kosovo and Northern Macedonia. The project thus responds to the demand for this type of program and the interest of new local partner organizations in replicating the success of UPLIFT in Albania. The UPLIFT acceleration program prepares start-ups of young entrepreneurs for entrepreneurship through intensive practical training, which provides in-depth and focused education in start-ups, aimed at developing business as well as improving the ability to present their company and attract investments or clients. The project will also focus on training program managers in Albania, Kosovo and Northern Macedonia through consultations with experts and managers of start-up acceleration programs in Slovakia and creating a platform for developing relationships with the alumni of the program. The project also contributes to the cross-cutting themes of gender equality thanks to the effort to increase the representation of female entrepreneurs in the program. It also addresses the sustainability and climate change topics by supporting companies with solutions that have a positive impact on the environment.