The Balkan Story Map project was an innovative initiative aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage through digital storytelling and interactive mapping technologies. By developing a web-based platform, the project provided an engaging and dynamic way to document and share stories of architectural and cultural significance in Kosovo and Montenegro.
The platform, available at www.balkanstorymap.org, serves as a unique and accessible digital space where stories are linked to specific geographic locations, allowing users to explore the region’s diverse heritage through immersive, interactive maps. This approach enables a broader audience to engage with cultural narratives while promoting cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
The project fostered regional collaboration by equipping young researchers and journalists with skills in digital storytelling and heritage documentation. A six-month fellowship program, facilitated by SpaceSyntaKS and KANA, trained 10 young professionals from Kosovo and Montenegro. The program included two three-day workshops in Podgorica and Pristina, followed by remote mentorship to support fellows in developing their stories.
A key output was the collaborative story map Housing+: Stories of Residential Buildings in the Western Balkans—a 300-page volume and an interactive digital story map focused on modernist architecture in 10 residential sites across the region. This innovative format introduced collaborative storytelling, enabling multiple cultural workers to contribute and creating an engaging, user-friendly interface that fosters both professional development and public participation.
The project also featured two public launch events—one in each country—where the platform and participants’ work were showcased. These activities strengthened cross-border cooperation, increased the visibility of cultural heritage, and contributed to regional networking and content circulation.
Implementing partners of the Balkan Story Map project: SpaceSyntaKs (KOS) and KANA / ko ako ne arhitekt (MNE).
Balkan Story Map was supported by the British Council through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union. CC4WBs aimed to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.