First Forum of Independent Socio-Cultural Centers Laid the Groundwork for a New Network of Spaces of Freedom

The first Forum of Independent Socio-Cultural Centers in Serbia was held from 14 to 16 November 2025 at the Alternative Cultural Center Gnezdo in Kruševac, gathering twenty representatives of initiatives from various cities. The event marked an important milestone for the independent cultural field, as many participants met in person for the first time despite long-standing mutual awareness and shared challenges.

Throughout the three-day gathering, participants discussed the importance of independent cultural spaces, the specificities of community-run centers, organizational, generational and financial sustainability, as well as possibilities for long-term cooperation and networking. The discussions confirmed that the need for spaces of freedom in Serbia is growing - evident in student organizing, citizen assemblies, cultural occupations, street blockades and other forms of civic resistance and self-organization.

Although financial limitations prevented all interested groups from attending, the strong turnout demonstrated the vitality and commitment of actors dedicated to maintaining and developing independent cultural infrastructure. The diversity of operational models - from rented or self-owned premises, project-based funding, to various self-financing strategies - highlighted the creativity and resilience within the field.

At the conclusion of the forum, participants agreed to continue working together through program exchange, mutual support in reclaiming or establishing new spaces, and joint advocacy actions aimed at securing long-term sustainability.

Initiatives participating in the Forum came from Belgrade, Veliki Gaj, Sremska Mitrovica, Zrenjanin, Kikinda, Požega, Pančevo, Temerin, Kučevo, Novi Sad, Jagodina, Niš, Kruševac, Preševo, Smederevo, Zaječar and other communities.

The Forum of Independent Socio-Cultural Centers was organized within the project “Spaces of Freedom,” supported by the European Union and implemented by the Zaječar Initiative in partnership with Youth Center CK13 (Novi Sad), Fakiri s juga (Kruševac) and K-Town Group (Kosjerić).