Join our delegation trip to Berlin this May!
Open for startup founders in Albania and Bosnia & Herzegovina
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.
Call for Applications is now open for our delegation trip to Berlin from the 19th to the 23rd of May.
Apply 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 Berlin
In May 2024, up to 10 startup founders based in Sarajevo and Tirana will take part in an all-expenses paid delegation trip to Berlin. The delegation schedule will include participation in GITEX, 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. An additional 25 will be selected to take part in a series of five webinars tailored to their needs on EU market access and international expansion.
Workshop series and exchange trip to Sarajevo and Tirana
In October 2024, up to 10 entrepreneurs from the Berlin ecosystem will take part in an all-expenses paid exchange trip to visit the startup ecosystems of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina to get first-hand knowledge, explore opportunities and build potential collaborations.
Program timeline
Berlin
Oct 10 2024
Ecosystem Connectors Launch Event
Feb 2025 / Mar 2025
Ecosystems Connectors Magazine
Virtual
Nov 2024 to April 2025
Knowledge exchange sessions
Feb to Mar 2025
Applications open for delegation to Berlin
Jun to Jul 2025
Applications open for delegation to Berlin
Virtual
Mar to Apr 2025
Stakeholder and network events
Berlin, Germany
19th - 23rd May 2025
Delegation trip to Berlin
Virtual
Jun to Oct 2025
Workshop series
Western Balkans
Oct 2025
Delegation trip to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sign up to take part in our 2025 activities!
Tell us about yourself, your work and what type of collaborations you’re looking for. Based on your profile, we will notify you with updates about upcoming activities.
Event recap
Thank you for everyone who took part at the Ecosystem Connectors | Berlin Sarajevo Tirana launch event!
If you couldn’t join us, this recap is the best way to get a feeling of the vibe, energy and enthusiasm that was buzzing throughout the entire evening. You can also catch a quick glimpse into the entrepreneurship ecosystems of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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.
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.
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.