The Festivals for Establishing New Partnership and Promotion of Improved Cultural Cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro project was designed with the goal of strengthening the cultural and creative sectors in both countries. Through a vibrant programme of festivals, workshops, and public events, the project encouraged cultural exchange, diversity, and cross-border collaboration among local cultural actors in Montenegro and Serbia.
With a strong focus on the inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities, the project supported active participation in cultural life and artistic expression. Two flagship festivals have been held: “Literature Has a Female Name” in Berane and “Accessible Art” in Novi Sad. These events brought together communities to celebrate creative work and open regional dialogue on themes such as gender, accessibility, and identity. As part of this cross-border initiative and flagship festivals, NGO Sofija (Montenegro) and NGO Sofos (Serbia) successfully delivered a diverse set of public events with participation from artists, writers, activists, and citizens from both countries.
The “Literature Has a Female Name” Festival in Berane attracted 191 participants, reflecting strong local interest and engagement. The “Accessible Art” Festival in Novi Sad followed by 107 participants, confirming wide public support for inclusive cultural programming. The final conference, held in Berane, brought together a diverse group of attendees, underscoring the project’s reach and the strength of the regional network it helped foster.
Apart from the festival activities, the programme also included capacity-building initiatives for local writers and cultural professionals as well as young people. It delivered lectures on entrepreneurship in the arts in Novi Sad, hosted a “Street Poetry” performance in Montenegro, and organised a street bazaar of women’s crafts, showcasing the creative work of women artisans. Additional activities included a Creative Writing training and lectures on Gender-Based Culture in Berane, as well as a final conference to reflect on outcomes and support ongoing partnerships.
Altogether, the project has helped build new relationships, spark creative dialogue, and reinforce the value of cultural cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro. By giving space to emerging voices, encouraging inclusive artistic practices, and supporting the work of local cultural actors, it has laid out the groundwork for future collaboration that can continue well beyond its official timeline. The energy and commitment shown by participants across both countries suggest that the partnerships formed here will keep growing, shaping a more connected and vibrant cultural scene in the region.
Implementing partners: NVO Poligon za žensku izuzetnost – Sofija (MNE) and NVO Sofos (SER).
The Festivals for Establishing New Partnership and Promotion of Improved Cultural Cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro project is supported by the British Council through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union. CC4WBs aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.