The First Balkan Negotiation Academy to launch next year in Belgrade

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is launching the first Balkan Negotiation Academy—a unique, specialized program designed for business leaders, decision-makers, and institutional representatives who contribute to development and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans region.

The program will begin in January next year, and participants will have the opportunity to work with leading international negotiation experts, including Francesco Marchi, Director of Negotiation Expertise at ALTERNEGO, lecturer at the Sorbonne, advisor to EU institutions, and founder of the European Negotiation Association (ENEA).

As published on the website of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the program is important because the Western Balkans region is entering a period of significant economic transformation, new investment projects, and accelerated alignment with European Union standards. In such conditions, the ability to build trust, conduct effective dialogue, and negotiate successfully becomes crucial for the sustainable development of companies and public institutions.

The Balkan Negotiation Academy aims to strengthen precisely these competencies through simulations of real negotiation scenarios, work on concrete practical examples, expert guidance and analysis of negotiation processes, and applicable strategies that participants can immediately use in their professional activities.

The program is structured in two phases. The first phase consists of a two-day interactive workshop combining simulations, case studies, and hands-on training in small groups. The second phase includes a one-day workshop focused on applying the acquired skills, where participants work on real situations, receive operational advice, and develop approaches they can immediately implement in practice.

At the end of the program, participants attend the annual BNA Forum, held within the ENEA Conference in Paris, which gathers representatives from the region and across Europe with the aim of launching new initiatives and deepening cooperation.

The specialized first Balkan Negotiation Academy is intended for mid- and senior-level professionals in companies and business systems, the entrepreneurial sector, institutions involved in economic cooperation and development, regulatory bodies, and organizations engaged in cross-border and public–private projects.

Participants are organized into groups of about 20, and early applications may be submitted by email to [email protected].

Applications should include: full name, organization and position, expectations from the program, and a CV.

The number of places is limited, and selection is based on candidates’ professional experience and motivation.