Esports Umbrella Association Scholastic Esports Programs Will Grow in Strength and Youth Impact as Esports Umbrella Builds a New NASEF Affiliate

NASEF’s global network bolsters Esports Umbrella’s work to leverage esports and gaming interest for meaningful learning around career and life skills 

(Modrica, Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina, 06.06.2025.) – Esports are booming, and students in the Southeast Europe region are excited to not just play the games, but to pursue related careers. To support this thirst for competition and education, Esports Umbrella has just become an affiliate of NASEF. A global NGO, NASEF provides a framework and support for educators around the world as they build programs that connect students’ love of video games and esports to exploration of career pathways, simultaneously developing important personal “soft skills” that will help youth thrive in today’s workforce.

NASEF leverages massive student interest in team-based competitive video gaming, offering meaningful career and STEAM education alongside tournaments in top game titles. Students learn about possible career pathways, enter Beyond the Game creative and analytic challenges, manage clubs and events and fundraising, and compete in tournaments in popular titles including but not limited to Rocket League, Valorant, and Minecraft, to name a few.

“Becoming a NASEF affiliate is a significant milestone for the development of scholastic esports in the region. Partnering with such a respected global organization provides strong validation of the work we've been doing for years to build a serious, structured, and impactful esports ecosystem. This collaboration will give us access to proven educational tools and a global support network. We see this as a major step forward for youth development and the long-term professionalization of esports in our country.”

— Goran Kuzmic, CEO of Esports Umbrella Association 

The Esports Umbrella’s vision is to create and foster competitive esports programs through the lens of academics and learning in Bosnia and Herzegovina middle schools and high schools by providing assistance, organizing tournaments, and presenting information to schools and advisers. NASEF is supporting similar organizations worldwide and freely shares its unique experience in developing global educational and career pathways. As a non-profit, NASEF focuses on youth impact, emphasizing cultivating talent in all students, particularly those in underserved populations. Through its partnerships, NASEF also helps students uncover pathways to college scholarships and careers in the gaming industry around the world. 

 “Research demonstrates the effectiveness of esports as a tool for meaningful STEAM and social-emotional learning,” said Gerald Solomon, founder and executive director of NASEF. “We’re thrilled to  welcome Esports Umbrella to the NASEF family, where educators will be able to learn best practices from scholastic esports programs around the world. We’re excited to support the Esports Umbrella and see the growth across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region in the coming years.”

 Learn more at the NASEF website or the Esports Umbrella website. Schools across Bosnia and Herzegovina  are invited to join Esports Umbrella and NASEF and tap into their events and resources; contact [email protected] 

About NASEF

NASEF equips education, community and industry leaders to maximize the potential of scholastic esports. As a non-profit, NASEF supports leaders and youth to develop career and professional skills through a unique blend of play and learning. Using its research-backed approach, NASEF guides organizations around the world striving to make impacts through scholastic esports.

NASEF operates under the umbrella of the World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The International Esports Federation has entrusted NASEF with training and supporting its 130+ member federations as they undertake development of scholastic esports programs. Find NASEF at NASEF.org and on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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