UDRUZENJE ZA PROMOCIJU KULTURE, NAUKE I KINEMATOGRAFIJE BALKANFILM

Their core work

Balkanfilm is a Sarajevo-based cultural and science promotion association that organizes public engagement events to bring research closer to citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their core activity within H2020 has been delivering the European Researchers' Night — a continent-wide science festival — using formats like "Stand Up Science" TED-style lectures, edutainment, and science festivals. They translate complex research into accessible, entertaining experiences aimed at raising public recognition of researchers and promoting science careers among young people.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Balkanfilm's focus has remained consistent across its three-year H2020 participation (2018-2021), centered entirely on the European Researchers' Night in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Early projects emphasized specific event formats like "Stand Up Science" TED-style presentations, while later projects broadened their keyword vocabulary to include edutainment, science festivals, and career promotion — suggesting a maturing approach with a wider toolkit of engagement methods. The evolution is one of expanding methodology within a stable mission rather than a shift in direction.

Balkanfilm is deepening its science communication repertoire within Bosnia and Herzegovina, moving from single-format events toward multi-format science festivals — a natural partner for anyone needing public engagement capacity in the Western Balkans.

How they like to work

Balkanfilm has participated exclusively as a partner, never as a coordinator, across all three projects. With only 2 unique consortium partners in 1 country, they appear to work within a small, loyal network — likely returning to the same lead partner for successive Researchers' Night editions. This suggests a reliable, low-maintenance partner that delivers consistently within its niche, though not one that will drive consortium formation.

Very small network: 2 unique partners across a single country. This reflects their role as a recurring local delivery partner for a nationally-focused series of events rather than a broad European networker.

What sets them apart

Balkanfilm occupies a rare niche as a science communication organization in Bosnia and Herzegovina — a country with limited representation in H2020. Their background in culture and film production gives them creative event design capabilities that typical research institutions lack. For any consortium needing public engagement or dissemination activities in the Western Balkans, they offer local knowledge, audience access, and proven delivery of EU-funded public events.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RiNG-18-19
  Their largest funded project (€50,200) and first H2020 participation, establishing the European Researchers' Night format in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• RiNG-20
  Delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic year, demonstrating adaptability in science communication under challenging conditions.