In June 2026, as part of the Pride Festival, we are organising the international conference Western Balkans Are Queer, bringing together LGBTIQ+ activists, organisations and communities from across the Western Balkans region. The conference will open a space for political reflection, exchange of experiences and the development of shared strategies.

The conference stems from the need to strengthen regional connections and better understand the specific contexts in which LGBTIQ+ communities in the Balkans operate. It will focus on issues of visibility, safety, political organising and the long-term impact of Pride marches on local communities. Special attention will also be given to how movements evolve in relation to broader social and political processes – both at the national and European levels.

The conference programme includes:

International training (closed programme)

In the days leading up to the public programme, an international training for Pride organisers from different Western Balkan countries will take place. The training is aimed at exchanging good practices, developing organisational skills and strengthening mutual support and solidarity across the region.

Panel: Pride Marches in the Western Balkans

10 June 2026 at 17:00

Ljubljana City Hall – Historic Atrium

The public part of the conference will feature a panel discussion with representatives of organisations that organise Pride marches in their respective countries. The panel will open a space to discuss the development of Pride marches, their impact on society and the challenges faced by organisers.

Speakers:

• Jelena Kravljača (BiH Pride, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Aleksa Savić (COME OUT, Srbija)
• Raf Koshevec (Coalition MARGINS, North Macedonia)
• Staša Baštrica (Queer Montenegro, Montenegro)
• Simona Muršec (Ljubljana Pride, Slovenia)
• Adrijana Kos (MKC Maribor, Slovenia)

The panel will take place just before the opening of the exhibition on the history of Pride marches in the Balkans, in which the speakers are also involved.

Solidarni Balqan at the Pride Village

13 June 2026

At the Pride Village, we will present the Erasmus+ project Solidarni Balqan: Building Queer Bridges. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the work of young people involved in the project, explore LGBTIQ+ movements in the Balkans, and find out how to get involved.

The conference offers an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the current situation in the region, for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and for jointly shaping future directions of action. Through this, we aim to contribute to a stronger, more connected and more resilient LGBTIQ+ community in the Western Balkans.