skopje
design week
21-27.11.2026.
COMING SOON…
Find out more about SDW
VISIT skopjedesignweek.com
08-16.11.2025.
CIRCULAR THINKING
In 2025, SKOPJE DESIGN WEEK (08–16 November) evolves into a platform for regenerative design and sustainable local development, bringing together a global ecological vision with local innovation.
Under the theme “Circular Thinking,” we explore the power of design to shape a roadmap for transforming communities, tourism, and everyday life—rethinking the way we move, consume, create, and share resources.
As the world gradually shifts from linear to circular systems, clean mobility, low-impact tourism, and the reuse of materials are becoming key elements of modern life. Skopje must be part of this movement and become a living laboratory—a place where global sustainability goals meet local needs, knowledge, and innovation.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
11.11.2025 17:00
Next Gen Design Exhibition Opening
13.11.2025 17:00
EDU TALK: Wool between tradition, sustainability and art
Arpad Pulai
Founder of the association "Čunak," which focuses on reviving traditional textile techniques like weaving, felting, and knitting
14.11.2025 12:00
NEXT GEN DESIGN AWARD CEREMONY
The ceremony celebrated the five winners selected for the 2025 Design Residency Awards.
14.11.2025 17:00
EDU TALK: Grow matter – the design and science of biodesign
Maja Halilovic
Bosnian product designer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of biodesign and biomaterials in the Western Balkans
15.11.2025 11:00
Kids’ workshop: Re-create your toy into a flower pot
Irina Kajcevska
In a hands-on workshop, children learn about sustainability and gardening by upcycling their old or broken toys into colorful, unique flower pots.
15.11.2025 14:00
Kids’ workshop: Dog house design
Brankica Jordanovska
Designing 5 houses for shelter dogs made from reusable materials, and decorating their interiors with old clothing brought by the children.
15.11.2025 18:00
Workshop: Material metamorphoses
Margarita Simovska
Led by Margarita Simovska, this creative workshop guides participants through the transformation of discarded raw materials into functional, beautifully designed bio-objects.
16.11.2025 12:00
Kids’ workshop: From waste to forest
Margarita Simovska
Teaching children about eco-conscious design by guiding them to upcycle everyday waste materials into an imaginative, miniature forest.
16.11.2025 13:00
Workshop: Upcycled furniture
Irina Kajcevska
This practical workshop shows participants how to reimagine and transform discarded wooden items into stylish, functional pieces of upcycled furniture.
6-10.11.2024.
PURE MOBILITY
In the frame of the green economy notion, the hits of the European Green Deal program blend faultlessly with the vibrant hues of circular design thinking, inviting young and progressive minds to join the artistic revolution and use better ways of transportation, strive towards cleaner and healthier environment. To this regard, the European Green Deal program acts as our guiding star, illuminating the path towards a brighter and greener future. It beckons us to reimagine transportation, to innovate boldly and dream big, for the sake of generations yet to come.
Circular design thinking is the avant-garde of innovation and lifestyle in Europe. With each stroke of creativity, we design not just for us today, but for perpetual tomorrow and future generations, hoping that they will also follow, create and recreate where needed.
Skopje, as a capital, did not significantly contribute to the carbon footprint reduction in the last decade, and as a city, it will retain that negative trend in the nearest future. But, the independent youth organizations have the power to become a permanent hub for the young designers that strive to bring fresh perspectives and boundless creativity to the table, daring to challenge this status quo and ignite change. Therefore, this edition of SDW places the focus on “Pure Mobility”, particularly the star of our surroundings – the conventional bicycle, examine more opportunities and highlighting the bike as an urban necessity. Additionally, as a design organization in line with the EU Green Deal Agenda, we emphasize the need of cycling in the first place, and recycling as a secondary issue, stipulating that the packaging materials that the city and the country, once properly discarded, can easily find a new way to be reincarnated and reused. All this we do for the sake of our testament that powers the creativity and the beauty of circularity.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
10.11.2024 11:00
Kids Workshop: Bicycle Bell Design
Facilitator: Irina Krajcevska
14.09.2024 10:00
Kids Workshop: Recycled Textile Dolls
Facilitator: Ertunch Sali, Brankica Jovanosvka and Sanja Simovska
10.11.2024 11:00
Kids Workshop: Recycled Textile Dolls
Facilitator: Kaliopi Trpceva
08.11.2024 12:30
How to create design oriented brand?
Zoran Jedrejcic
<strong>Designer and Art Director </strong>
07.11.2024 13:30
Transformative Role of Design Education
Ms. Gordana Vencoska
Dean of The Faculty of Art and Design, European University of Skopje, Macedonia
07.11.2024 12:00
Opening Remarks
Biljana Prentoska
Chef of Creative Europe Desk in Macedonia / Ministry of Culture and Tourism