Before anything was official, before there was a venue, a name, or a date, there was just a shared sense of “we need this”. The idea for ETH Belgrade didn’t come from a funding round or a flashy vision deck. It grew out of conversations, often in hallways of other Web3 events, between people who kept running into each other across the globe. Builders from the Balkans were everywhere.
That idea was brought to life by Tanja Mladenovic and Petar Popovic, who went on to co-found ETH Belgrade and build a team around a simple mission: create an Ethereum event grounded in builder needs and community values.
From Lisbon to Belgrade: The Birth of ETH Belgrade
For Petar, the idea took root at LisCon 2021.
“The energy was unforgettable. I imagined bringing that same spark to Belgrade,” he says.
He and Tanja made it happen by June 2023. The vision was backed by data: Balkan builders were everywhere: Lisbon, Dubai, Paris.
“Serbians, Croatians, Macedonians… always present,” Petar adds. “It showed us we needed something of our own.”
Belgrade, with companies like Tenderly and DeFi Saver and over 50 startups, was the natural choice. It wasn’t just a location, but the center of regional innovation.
Builders First: ETH Belgrade’s Mission
ETH Belgrade was never about the flash. It was about utility.
“There’s often a gap between infrastructure and real-world use cases,” says Petar.
The team set out to close it. Talks extended beyond code, covering product design, regulation, and GTM strategies. The ETH Belgrade Ventures track supported founders with pitch sessions and free booths.
And the commitment didn’t stop at the Balkans: the team flew in hackers from ETH Global Prague, launched “Road to Devcon” meetups in Africa and Southeast Asia, and seeded global community hubs.
Beyond an Event: A Living Ecosystem
ETH Belgrade has grown into an ecosystem: local at its roots, but global in its reach.
“This isn’t just a conference,” Tanja says. “We do coworking days, bootcamps, meetups. We’ve advised ETH event teams, sponsored ETH Safari and ETH Rwanda. It’s bigger than us.”
Culture vs. Code: Where Ethereum Is Headed
Ethereum’s technical roadmap is well-documented. Its cultural future is less clear.
“There’s no roadmap for culture,” says Petar. “We’re seeing shifts in leadership, tone, and community priorities. That’ll define the next 12–18 months more than code.”
Making It Feel Like Home
ETH Belgrade is known for its hospitality, something deeply intentional.
“It’s not just us – it’s the whole community acting like hosts,” says Tanja.
Locals help guests, share tips, and make connections. Internally, small rituals keep the chaos in check.
“I always have my essentials pouch, and take 15 minutes of quiet each day,” Tanja shares.
Quality First, Always
Applications go through a strict review process led by Nikola Vukovic (DeFi Saver) and Natasa Bujosevic. The focus is quality, not fame.
“No one can buy a speaking slot,” says Petar.
Side events, however, are open-source: anyone can host one. Even logistical setbacks have become learning moments.
“Once we ended up setting hackathon tables at 4 a.m. because of miscommunication,” Tanja laughs. “Now, we overcommunicate and document everything.”
Legal Safeguards: Starting with Structure
Ilija Rilakovic, who oversees legal matters for ETH Belgrade, emphasizes one thing above all: start early.
“Most legal challenges can be avoided with clear contracts and proper planning,” he says.
That includes agreements with venues, sponsors, and service providers, covering everything from payment terms to cancellation policies.
Ilija also monitors regulatory frameworks, particularly in the EU.
“For certain markets, such as the EU, due to MiCA regulation, non-EU projects may face restrictions on promoting their services unless specifically invited; a concept known as reverse solicitation. This means that you, as a non-EU project, may not actively advertise or solicit EU customers if the services you’re offering fall under MiCA and require a license,” he explains.
While Serbia currently allows more flexibility, understanding these distinctions is critical when organizing an international event.
Hackathons add another layer of complexity. Ilija recommends clear terms for both participants and sponsors, especially to mitigate intellectual property risks.
“As an organizer, you want to avoid being liable for anything created during the hackathon, particularly the functionality and transferability of the product,” he notes.
From website policies to partnership contracts, the goal is to reduce ambiguity and protect all parties involved, ultimately creating a secure and professional environment for innovation.
Advice to Future Organizers
The team’s advice is clear:
- Start with local energy and a few strong builders
- Build a team you trust to stay calm when things go off-script
- Focus on what adds value: meaningful content, real connections, and a sustainable community
Conclusion
ETH Belgrade wasn’t built overnight. It grew from shared belief, trust, and relentless community focus. While the team is made up of many contributors, from Nikola’s strategic input to Aljosa’s operational coordination, it’s the synergy between them and the broader Balkan Web3 scene that powers ETH Belgrade.
It’s not just an event. It’s a reflection of what Ethereum can become when people, not hype, are at the core.
Social Media Links
– Website: https://ethbelgrade.rs/
– X: https://x.com/ethbelgrade
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eth-belgrade
– Founders: Petar Popovic | Tanja Mladenovic
Disclaimer
All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.
