Balkans Beyond Borders is a nonprofit organisation which promotes European identity and co-operation in the Balkans, using audiovisual arts and new media as a platform to overcome differences deeply rooted in the history of the region and enhance cultural understanding.
Our flagship activity is a short film festival, which is being held every year in a different European city, tackling pressing contemporary sociopolitical issues and raising dialogue. It features cross-border and national film productions by young Balkan filmmakers, all the while framed by different parallel cultural and educational activities all respecting the principle of non-formal learning.
Moreover, we organise cultural events, capacity building workshops, and seminars through non-formal learning tools, and maintain / develop a dynamic network of ambassadors who are actively engaged in our mission.
We have been awarded twice for our action to promote youth cooperation and mobility in the region: in 2018 with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Prize for Civil Society (standing out among 150 nominations from 27 countries), and with the Charlemagne Youth Prize 2011.
We organise the main networking / audience development activity of ECHO II – the so-called Gala of Curiosities – which will take place in the context of the 12th BBB Short Film Festival 2021. Also, we have an active role in the communication, dissemination and evaluation of the overall project.