Co-producing two major festivals in two countries is a testament to the power of partnership. For the KreNI Startup initiative, it meant a seamless collaboration between Young Ambassadors (Niš, Serbia) and Startup Macedonia (Skopje, North Macedonia), who spent months aligning event formats, themes, and audiences.
From the beginning, both teams operated as one. They blended KreNI’s expertise in creative industries and youth engagement with Startup Weekend Ohrid’s deep knowledge of startup methodology and mentor networks. This synergy led to co-created programs, with shared speakers and coordinated topics that created a clear link between activities at both events.
The journey began at KreNI10, where the theme of Proximity was explored through talks, masterclasses, and labs. Participants were inspired with ideas on urban mobility, sustainability, and cultural engagement. These concepts then flowed directly into Startup Weekend Ohrid, where teams applied practical tools like the Business Model Canvas, market validation exercises, and pitching workshops to transform ideas into actionable startups.
A key turning point was a joint study visit to Lisbon, which introduced new approaches to mentor accessibility, thematic cohesion, and integrating green skills. The lessons learned influenced everything from session pacing to the structure of post-event follow-ups, ensuring the collaboration was as effective as possible.
By synchronizing themes, participant flow, and mentorship culture, KreNI and Startup Weekend Ohrid created a continuous learning journey—from inspiration to implementation.
“Collaboration helps us connect creative minds from North Macedonia and Serbia and inspire young people to think globally while acting locally,” said Hristijan Volkanovski of Startup Macedonia.
This behind-the-scenes partnership proves that regional co-production can do more than just create events—it can build powerful, lasting ecosystems.
The Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs) is a project funded by the European Union. Its mission is to foster dialogue and enhance socio-economic impact by strengthening the cultural and creative sectors across the Western Balkans. Over a 48-month period, the project aims to improve skills, increase knowledge, and provide financial support to boost competitiveness and promote the co-production and circulation of goods and services within the region.
