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

 

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. The project’s first edition focuses on connecting Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Berlin.

Through regular networking events, dedicated training and workshops, and exchange trips, the project will provide entrepreneurs across the Western Balkans with market access and business development support, and access to opportunities for international growth.

We’re kicking off the project on the 10th of October in Berlin with startups, investors and ecosystem stakeholders from Berlin, Albania & Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Launch event

Join us on the 10th of October in Berlin!

Register now

What to expect from the Ecosystem Connectors program?


Ecosystem Connectors Forum Berlin

An evening of exchange centered around entrepreneurship in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Berlin. The event will explore the business opportunities, potential collaborations and best practices from the three ecosystems. If you’re an entrepreneur, investor or ecosystem enabler interested in getting to know new markets, this is the event for you.

Workshop series and exchange trip to Sarajevo and Tirana

In May 2024, up to 10 entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem enablers based in Berlin will take part in an all-expenses paid delegation trip to Sarajevo and Tirana. The delegation schedule will include ecosystem tours, visits to key startup support organizations and government representatives, networking opportunities and the chance for 1-on-1 meetings with leading startups to explore potential partnerships.

Workshop series and exchange trip to Berlin

In October 2024, up to 35 entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers from Albania and from Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the chance to take part in a series of tailored workshops to get to know opportunities for expanding their businesses to Berlin. Up to 10 will take part in an all-expenses paid exchange trip to visit the Berlin startup ecosystem.

Program timeline

Berlin

Oct 10 2024

Ecosystem Connectors Launch Event

Dec 2024 / Jan 2025

Ecosystems Overview Report

Virtual

Nov 2024 to April 2025

Knowledge exchange sessions

Jan to Mar 2025

Applications open for delegation to Sarajevo and Tirana

Mar to Apr 2025

Applications open for delegation to Berlin

 

Virtual

Mar to Apr 2025

Stakeholder and network events

Sarajevo, Tirana

May 2025

Delegation trip to Sarajevo and Tirana

Virtual

Jun to Oct 2025

Workshop series

Berlin

Oct 2025

Delegation trip to Berlin

Based in Berlin?
Join us this October!


The Ecosystem Connectors project kicks off with a networking evening on the 10th of October. If you’re a Berlin-based founder, an investor or an ecosystem enabler interested in or already working with startups in Albania and/or Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is the event for you.

Why should you take part? 

  • Organized networking sessions
  • Panel discussions on business opportunities and the overall entrepreneurial climate in Albania & Bosnia-Herzegovina 
  • First-hand accounts of success stories and best practices from startups based in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • An overview of the Ecosystem Connectors project and how you can apply to visit Sarajevo and Tirana and get to know the ecosystem in person

Register for free today to save your spot!

Tell us about yourself, your work and what type of collaborations you’re looking for. You will be matched with others based on your profile to ensure that you can make the most out of the event!  

Register

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Who does the program support?


The program supports founders and ecosystem enablers in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as founders in Berlin.

If you’re a founder based in Albania or Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ecosystem Connectors can be your first step towards expanding your work into the EU market through Berlin, gaining global visibility and creating strategic EU partnerships. You can take part in a workshop series led by founders and enablers from the Berlin ecosystem. You will also have the opportunity to join a delegation trip to Berlin in 2025 to meet startups, investors and policymakers and get first-hand insights into the market.

If you’re a founder based in Berlin

Join our kickoff event on the 10th of October to get to know the project and how it can support you, and have the opportunity to directly meet and network with ecosystem enablers and founders from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can also join us in 2025 on an all-expenses delegation trip to explore the ecosystems in Sarajevo and Tirana in person and take concrete steps towards market expansion.

If you’re an ecosystem enabler in Albania or Bosnia and Herzegovina

Whether you’re working with a support organization, supporting the growth of the startup ecosystem or investing in startups, you can grow your network and expertise through the Ecosystem Connectors program. You will have the chance to exchange learnings, gain new insights and work with Berlin-based organizations to provide further support to your entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Learn more about our other programs in the region!

Berlin Founders Program is aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and representatives of support organizations, providing them with a self-paced crash course on entrepreneurship and an all-expenses paid trip to Berlin.

Learn more

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.

Visit website