Prishtina REA is set to organize the second edition of Balkonnect 2026 in Tirana, a flagship regional festival designed to bring together startups, SMEs, investors, and policymakers on a single platform to explore opportunities for innovation, networking, and investment, while fostering partnerships that could shape the Western Balkans’ economic landscape for years to come. As the country coordinator of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) in Kosovo, Prishtina REA plays a central role in supporting SMEs and driving innovation initiatives both nationally and across the region, highlighting its commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration and regional development.
Ahead of this landmark event, the Enterprise Europe Network Kosovo is hosting a decentralised online information session on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at 10:00 CET, designed to equip EEN advisors with the knowledge and tools necessary to guide clients through the complexities of participating in Balkonnect 2026 and to help them unlock its full potential.
Set to last 60 minutes, the session will provide a comprehensive overview of the festival, covering its structure, thematic focus, and the strategic opportunities it offers for SMEs and entrepreneurs eager to expand their operations beyond national borders. Participants will gain practical insights on how to support clients in preparing for the event, from identifying relevant matchmaking opportunities to fostering meaningful connections with potential partners and investors, while also understanding the broader context of innovation trends and investment priorities in the region. By highlighting the ways in which the festival can serve as a springboard for business growth and cross-border collaboration, the session aims to ensure that EEN advisors are fully prepared to deliver actionable guidance that translates into tangible benefits for their clients.
What sets Balkonnect apart is its unique role as a bridge between the local and international innovation ecosystems, offering a platform where SMEs can gain visibility, access investment opportunities, and engage with stakeholders who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Western Balkans. The festival’s inclusive approach, bringing together actors from multiple sectors and countries, provides an environment in which ideas can be exchanged freely, partnerships can flourish, and projects that address both local and regional challenges can take root and scale, making it a landmark event for anyone invested in the growth of the region’s economy.
Participants in the online info session are encouraged to register by Saturday, 15 November 2025, at 23:00 CET, and can access preparatory materials, including the detailed agenda and informational documents, to ensure they are fully prepared to engage with the session and translate insights into actionable support for their clients. For further inquiries or assistance regarding registration, interested parties may contact Dori Dabishevci at d[email protected], who will provide guidance and support to make the most of this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and act on the region’s growing potential.
As the Western Balkans continue to position themselves as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, events like Balkonnect 2026, led locally by Prishtina REA as the EEN Kosovo country coordinator, underscore the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and proactive engagement, offering not just a venue for networking, but a platform where the future of regional economic development is actively being shaped.