Why Attend
Take part in a high-level conference
Engage with leaders from the Balkans and around the globe, academics, students, media and other respectable figures from the public and private sector about the biggest economic challenges requiring to be addressed and overcome. Interested yet?
Dialogue over Dispute
Participate in meaningful conversations where all opposing views are heard and respected as this is the only way for real change to come, through new, innovative strategies emerging from this dialogue.
Beyond the dialogue
The goal is to utilise all information and ideas derived from the conference and share them with those in charge of making decisions to influence real change.
Inclusive over exclusive
Our priority is to make this conference open to all, regardless of status. Your ideas matter and we are here to help you voice them.
location and venue
Location
The Balkan Economic Forum shall be hosted in a different Balkan country every year. In 2024, the event will take place in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. It is in the north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain, and stands near the international border between Croatia and Slovenia. Zagreb is the most important transport hub in Croatia: here Central Europe, the Mediterranean and Southeast Europe meet, making the Zagreb area the centre of the road, rail and air networks of Croatia.
The Venue
Opened in 1925 as a refuge for passengers from the Orient Express, the über-stylish Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is an architectural gem. Located within easy reach of key attractions, the city’s most iconic hotel combines art deco glamour with every contemporary convenience. Long-established as a haven for A-List movie stars, politicians, singers and artists, the hotel’s fairytale exterior and gracious guest accommodation make it easily the most prestigious hotel in Zagreb.
Countries
Within the geographical borders of the Adriatic, Ionian, Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas which outline the Balkan Peninsula, lies a region commonly known as the Balkans, a term coined in the early 19th century and used to describe the culturally diverse, resource-rich area shared by countries in southeastern Europe, including: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.
