Building Bridges across the startup ecosystems of Berlin, Sarajevo and Tirana

Applications for the Berlin Goes Sarajevo and Tirana delegation trip are now closed.

Thank you to everyone who expressed their interest for the program and took the type to apply to the upcoming delegation trip to explore the Sarajevo and Tirana markets with Ecosystem Connectors! Check out the ‘How it works’ section for the next steps to know where we stand in the selection process, and keep an eye out on your inbox over the next days.

The Ecosystem Connectors project builds bridges across European entrepreneurship ecosystems with the aim of encouraging a stronger economic integration through facilitating partnerships, knowledge sharing and resource exchange between entrepreneurs and stakeholders.

Why Apply?

Here’s what is waiting for you in Sarajevo and Tirana this September.

1:1 access to ecosystem players

through insider visits in sector-based groups to top companies and business hubs in the Sarajevo and Tirana ecosystems to kickstart collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Networking opportunities

in your group of startups and support organizations travelling to Sarajevo and Tirana from Berlin, and with ecosystem players based in both cities.

Global visibility

and access to potential partners through industry events such as the AI Summit 2025 in Sarajevo.

Cultural discovery

to provide a comprehensive overview of the cities and the context in which the market operates.

Building connections

After the one-week trip to Sarajevo and Tirana, further steps will be taken to build on the connections established during the trip to create sustainable collaborations.

Apply now

Join our delegation in September

Go to application

Preliminary schedule for your stay in Sarajevo and Tirana!

The delegation trip activities scheduled from September 22 to September 26. Participants are expected to arrive in Tirana on September 21 and depart from Sarajevo on September 27. No travel expenses will be covered beyond those dates. This is only a preliminary schedule, more details to be added.

Flight from Berlin to Tirana
Arrival & Airport Transfer
Walking Tour of Tirana
Welcome Dinner

Visit to Innovation Hubs and relevant companies

Visit to Innovation Hubs and relevant companies
Berlin Meets Tirana Reception & Networking Event

Flight to Sarajevo
Cultural Tour of Sarajevo
Dinner in Sarajevo

Visit to Innovation Hubs and relevant companies

Visit to Innovation Hubs and relevant companies
Networking Brunch at Hub 387
Visit to Sarajevo AI Summit 2025
Berlin Meets Sarajevo Reception & Networking

Flight to Berlin

Who can join?

We are looking for up to 10 founders and ecosystem enablers to join the Ecosystem Connectors exchange trip to Tirana and Sarajevo.

For startups and innovative businesses*:

You are a founder of an SME or startup with a business based in Berlin
Your service/product shows potential for growth and can be scaled to the Western Balkans
You operate in a sector with significant growth and collaboration potentials in both Tirana/Sarajevo and Berlin

For ecosystem enablers and representatives of Business Support Organizations:

Including: Business associations, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, investors, networks/platforms

Your organization is supporting startups and founders in Berlin.
You are looking to create partnerships with similar organizations in Sarajevo & Tirana.
Your organization can support companies & startups from Sarajevo or Tirana in scaling their work or creating partnerships with businesses in Berlin.
You (as representative for your organization) are willing and able to actively participate in the project and share knowledge and experience with other participants.

**Representatives of women-led companies and persons who identify as women are encouraged to apply.

Download the selection and eligibility criteria (0.24 MB PDF)

FAQ Delegation to Sarajevo/Tirana (0.28 MB PDF)

Travel expenses included!

Travel expenses for the duration of the delegation trip will be reimbursed by the Ecosystem Connectors program. These include: Flights (Economy class), transportation to and from different delegation activities, and accommodation in Sarajevo and Tirana.

What does the application and selection process look like?

The aim of the application process is to ensure that your business would benefit from taking part in the delegation trip. All applications will be reviewed according to the eligibility and selection criteria.

Preparing your application

Review eligibility and selection criteria. Download and carefully review the eligibility and selection criteria document to familiarize yourself with the program requirements.
1st round of the selection process

Fill in your application form for the 1st round of selection. It takes around 20 minutes. Through the form, you have the chance to elaborate about yourself, your business, why you’re working towards expansion to the EU market, and what you expect to gain from the program. If you are eligible and among the top scoring applicants, you will receive an e-mail to continue to the next round.
2nd round of the selection process

Upload your documents. If your application is eligible, you will receive an e-mail for the second round, please prepare and upload the following documents: Your CV/Resume, your personal ID/passport or proof of residence, and the business registration certificate. You can further support your application by proof of traction.
Final results

Check your inbox! We will reach out to you by the end of July 2025, within two weeks of the applications deadline.
Onboarding session

Take part in our onboarding session. If you’re accepted into the Ecosystem Connectors program, you’ll be invited to attend the onboarding session in the first week of September at enpact HQ before the delegation trip.

Timeline

16 Jun 2025

Applications Open

9 Jul 2025

Info session at enpact Berlin (6 PM CEST). Watch recap highlights here.

14 Jul 2025 - 8 Aug 2025

Selection Process for the Delegation Trip

Sep 2025

In-person kickoff event in Berlin

21 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Delegation trip in Tirana, Albania

24 Sep 2025

Travel from Tirana, Albania to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

25 Sep 2025 - 27 Sep 2025

Delegation trip in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Apply now

Join our delegation in September

Go to application

Learn more about our other programs in the region!

Learn more

Receive updates

About the partners

The project is funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the “Bund-Länder-Programm – German Government and Federal States Program (BLP)” in cooperation with the non-profit organization enpact.

The project is being implemented in Albania with the support of the EU4Innovation project and in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the support of the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion (SEDEP) project.

About the partner projects

EU4Innovation

The European Union, Germany and Sweden work to create high paying jobs in Albania, by developing the innovation economy. The project leverages on Albania’s human capital, entrepreneurial and research potential. The project is funded by the European Union with co-funding by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Sweden. The project is implemented by GIZ Albania and the Swedish Embassy in Albania.

Visit website

SEDEP

SEDEP is aiming to improve the employment situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through its support for the digital and green transformation of the economy. The project is co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Government of Switzerland and implemented by Deutsche Geselleschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The project component “Strengthening of Vocational Education and Training in Bosnia and Hercegovina” (SVET) aims to strengthen the vocational education and training system to ensure the qualified labour force necessary for the country’s sustainable economic development. The project component “Private Sector Development” (PSD) is primarily targeting the transformation of businesses towards a more digital and green economy ensuring a competitive and innovative economic ecosystem.