Barcelona, Spain | 23–28 March 2026
What can creative hubs learn from one another when they place openness, experimentation, and collaboration at the centre of their practice?
For six days in March 2026, Nova Iskra (Belgrade, Serbia) and We Are PAU (Barcelona, Spain) came together for a peer-learning exchange focused on innovation-driven programming, community building, and the future role of creative hubs within the European cultural landscape.
The exchange brought together representatives of Nova Iskra and the We Are PAU team to explore how creative organisations can strengthen their organisational models, develop meaningful programmes, and build long-term international partnerships. What began as a structured learning visit quickly evolved into an open dialogue between peers, where both organisations shared experiences, challenges, and ambitions for the future.
Learning Through Innovation and Exchange
At the heart of the exchange was a shared question:
How can creative hubs design organisational models that foster innovation, strengthen communities, and create lasting social impact?
For Nova Iskra, the visit formed part of a broader strategy to expand its organisational capacities and deepen its engagement with European cooperation. We Are PAU offered valuable insight into an innovation-driven model that combines creative practice, entrepreneurship, technology, and community engagement within a sustainable organisational framework.
Throughout the week, conversations moved beyond operational structures to explore how creative hubs can remain adaptable while responding to rapidly changing cultural, technological, and social contexts.
Exploring New Models for Creative Programming
The exchange began with an in-depth introduction to We Are PAU's organisational model, governance structure, and long-term sustainability strategy.
Subsequent sessions explored the hub's approach to program design, including innovation laboratories, creative residencies, and hybrid learning experiences that bring together artists, designers, technologists, and local communities. These discussions provided Nova Iskra with practical insights into designing programs that encourage experimentation while maintaining strong community relevance.
Equally valuable were conversations around ecosystem development and community-building strategies. Together, both teams reflected on how creative hubs cultivate trust, encourage participation, and create environments where collaboration can flourish over time.
Rather than presenting fixed methodologies, the exchange became an opportunity to compare approaches, question assumptions, and identify common challenges faced by independent creative organisations across Europe.
Sharing Knowledge Through Public Dialogue
The week concluded with a public presentation hosted at We Are PAU's Barcelona space, where representatives from both organisations shared the key insights, reflections, and collaborative ideas that had emerged throughout the exchange.
The event served not only as a dissemination activity but also as an opportunity to engage PAU's wider community in conversations about international collaboration, creative innovation, and the evolving role of cultural organisations in Europe. Informal networking following the presentation further strengthened relationships between both teams and opened new conversations with local cultural practitioners.
Outcomes and Future Collaboration
The exchange generated valuable insights for Nova Iskra, particularly around governance models, innovation-driven programming, and strategies for building resilient creative communities. These learnings directly support the organisation’s long-term development and its role within the European creative ecosystem.
Most importantly, the mobility laid the groundwork for a lasting partnership between Nova Iskra and We Are PAU. Building on the trust and shared vision developed during the week, both organisations have begun preparing a Creative Europe cooperation project, creating a concrete path for future collaboration. This also aligns with Nova Iskra’s goal of expanding its international network, while allowing We Are PAU to deepen its engagement with creative ecosystems in Southeast Europe.
The exchange also highlighted the value of open, peer-to-peer intercultural dialogue. By connecting Belgrade and Barcelona, both teams recognised shared challenges and reaffirmed a common belief that culture, innovation, and community are mutually reinforcing forces. What emerged is not just a one-off mobility, but the beginning of a partnership aimed at shaping new cultural futures across Europe.
