The educational program „Event Lab,“ implemented within the framework of the international project „Parks4All,“ has successfully completed the first three of its four planned modules. The program is designed to provide young professionals from Serbia and Hungary with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in organizing outdoor cultural events through intensive workshops and collaboration with experts in management, arts, and communications.
Event Lab is an educational platform that combines theoretical and practical learning through four training modules in four different cities, led by leading experts in event management and culture. The program aims to provide young professionals with comprehensive education and practical experience by working on four innovative festivals in 2025 and 2026.
This innovative program, funded through the Interreg-IPA CBC Hungary-Serbia program, offers participants the opportunity to gain knowledge, practical experience, and professional contacts in the dynamic field of outdoor event management.
The first module took place from March 26 to 29, 2025, in the Creative District in Novi Sad, organized by the „Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture“ Foundation. Twenty participants, selected through a public call, had the opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge under the guidance of leading experts in event management and culture. The program included workshops on planning, organizing, and promoting events, with a special focus on using public spaces for cultural activities. Participants began developing their own projects during this module, laying the groundwork for further work.
Kanjiža hosted the second module of the „Event Lab“ educational program, held as part of the „Parks4All“ project, from April 9 to 12. This module brought together 20 young cultural managers and artists from Serbia and Hungary, who focused on designing events tailored to local needs and community specifics. Over four days of intensive workshops, lectures, and teamwork, participants deepened their knowledge of developing communication strategies, using social media tools, building partnerships with local communities, and the technical aspects of organizing outdoor events. Practical exercises in real-world settings allowed them to test their skills, exchange experiences, and develop inclusive and sustainable projects that contribute to community engagement and the enhancement of public green spaces.
The third module of the Event Lab educational program was held in Mórahalom, Hungary, from April 23 to 26. Following Novi Sad and Kanjiža, this meeting brought a new series of educational sessions and knowledge exchange for young cultural managers and artists from Serbia and Hungary. Participants worked on developing strategies to attract diverse audiences and ensure event accessibility. Additionally, this module was crucial for networking, as young managers had the opportunity to establish professional contacts with colleagues from Hungary and Serbia, as well as with guest lecturers. The workshops included case studies of successful European projects, further inspiring participants to refine their ideas.
The overall goal of the „Parks4All“ project, coordinated by the Cinema City Association from Novi Sad, is to strengthen cooperation and capacities of the Hungarian and Serbian contemporary cultural and creative scenes to create a sustainable tourism offer by enhancing professional competencies and artistic production among 36 young cultural managers and artists, particularly those from vulnerable groups, through a series of 19 innovative and inclusive events during training in public spaces.
The project partners are the „Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture“ Foundation, the Youth and Cultural Association „Wemsical Serbia,“ the „Catholic Youth Foundation,“ and the „DDTG Duna Fejlesztő Transznacionális Csoport.“
