Open Call Application Form – Bridging Borders Balkans

Songwriting Camp October 2025 Open Call

About Bridging Balkan Borders 2025 Songwriting Camp

Are you a songwriter or producer from Southeast Europe? Apply now for an exclusive opportunity to collaborate with regional peers and top-level mentors in Sofia, Bulgaria — during one of Europe’s most influential music industry events: SoAlive Music Conference 2025.

This intensive songwriting camp will bring together creatives from across the Balkans for cross-border collaboration, cultural exchange, and original music creation in a fully equipped professional studio.

Camp Dates: October 10–14, 2025
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria (Sound Ninja Music Academy, during SoAlive Music Conference 2025)
Open Call: August 1 – August 20, 2025
Notification of Selection: August 25, 2025

What’s Included?

Travel & Accommodation: Flights, hotel stays, free PRO+ accreditation to SoAlive Music Conference 2025.
Studio Sessions & Mentorship: Work with industry professionals in professional studios.
Meals: Daily lunch provided.
Exclusive Listening Session on October 14: Present your song(s) created during the camp to a panel of high-level international industry professionals, including A&Rs, music supervisors, and sync agents. Receive direct feedback and potentially open new doors for your music career.

Eligibility:

Open to songwriters and producers from Southeast Europe (Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece, Slovenia, Kosovo and Turkey).
Must be available for full camp dates and able to travel internationally.

This initiative is supported by Sofia Municipality.

* Indicates required question

Personal & Contact Information

Full Legal Name

Please provide your full legal name exactly as it appears on your official documents.

Preferred Name / Stage Name (If different from your legal name)

If you perform or present your music under a different name, please let us know.

Date of Birth

Applicants should be young (no real age limit), emerging artists. Please confirm your exact birthdate for eligibility purposes.

Nationality & Country of Residence

Please confirm your nationality or the country where you currently reside. Eligible applicants must be coming from one of the countries below.

Serbia

North Macedonia

Bulgaria

Romania

Croatia

Albania

Montenegro

Bosnia & Herzigovina

Greece

Turkey

Kosovo

Slovenia

Other

You choose "Other". Please specify below

Enter your other nationality or other country of residence if not listed above.

Email Address

Make sure this is an address you check regularly, as we will use it for all official communications.

Phone Number

Choose the country code and ensure that this number is active for calls or messaging services.

Primary Language(s) Spoken

List the languages you speak fluently. English proficiency is encouraged for collaborative work, but not mandatory.

Current Occupation or Activity (If any)

Are you a full-time musician, a student, employed outside of music, etc.? Provide a brief description.

Artistic & Musical Background

Primary Artistic Role(s)

Check all that apply. Please elaborate on your main artistic strengths and what role(s) you feel most comfortable taking on in a collaborative songwriting session.

Songwriter

Producer & Songwriter

Composer

Lyricist

Vocalist

Instrumentalist

Other

You choose "Other". Please specify below

Enter your other artistic role(s) if not listed above.

Musical Education & Training

Have you had any formal musical training, attended workshops, or studied at music academies? Please detail your education, including any self-taught experience, and specify instruments you play or software you master as a producer.

Songwriting Experience & Style

How long have you been writing songs? Describe your typical creative process. Are you inspired by certain genres, traditions, or cultural backgrounds? Provide a brief overview of your musical style, genre preferences, and any notable influences that shape your songwriting.

Previous Collaborative Projects

Have you participated in any songwriting camps, music workshops, collaborative projects, or bands/collectives? Describe up to 2-3 previous experiences, focusing on what you learned and how working with others impacted your creative process.

Cultural & Regional Influences

Since this project aims to foster artistic exchange across borders in South East Europe, how do you see your cultural background influencing your music? Are there regional sounds, stories, or traditions that inspire your songwriting?

Portfolio & Demos

Demos of Your Work

Provide links to at least 2 demo recordings of songs you have written. These could be private streaming links (SoundCloud, YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.).

Ensure the links are accessible and include passwords if necessary. For each demo, please note the following:

Title of the track
Your role(s) in its creation (e.g., sole songwriter, co-writer, producer)
Year the song was created or recorded
Brief description of the song’s style and inspiration)
Password for the provided URL (if necessary)

Demo URL

Demo Notes & Description

Demo URL

Demo Notes & Description

Demo URL

Demo Notes & Description

Demo URL

Demo Notes & Description

Highlighting Your Originality

In 100-200 words, explain what sets your music apart from others. Consider your lyrical themes, melodies, production techniques, or cultural elements that make your work unique.

Versatility & Range

If you have experience writing in multiple genres, languages, or moods, provide a short description (50-100 words) of the breadth of your work. How flexible are you in adapting your style to collaborate with unfamiliar genres or instruments?

Motivation & Availability

Motivation to Join the Camp (Short Essay 200 words max)

Explain why you want to participate in the Bridging Balkan Borders Songwriting Camp. What do you hope to gain from working with other participants from the region? How do you envision this experience influencing your future career or creative direction?

Cultural Exchange & Collaboration

In 100-200 words, describe your feelings about collaborating with artists from different South East European countries. Why is cross-border collaboration important to you, and how do you plan to contribute to creating a positive and inclusive creative environment?

Availability & Commitment

Please confirm that you can be fully present and engaged throughout all sessions on the dates of the Songwriting Camp, including potential travel days.

Yes, I am available and committed to attending all sessions, including travel days.

Other

You choose "Other". Please specify in the field below

Fill in the field bellow.

Practical Details & Additional Information

Travel & Mobility

Do you have a valid passport or ID and are you prepared to travel internationally for the entire duration of the camp? If selected, we will assist with travel arrangements, but please confirm any visa or travel constraints you may have.

Yes, I have a valid passport/ID and can travel internationally for the entire duration of the camp.

Yes, I have a valid passport/ID but may require visa assistance.

No, I do not have a valid passport/ID and may face challenges traveling internationally.

Other

You choose "Other". Please specify in the field below

Fill in the field bellow.

Dietary Restrictions or Special Requirements

Let us know if you have any dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.), allergies, or medical conditions we should be aware of. We want to ensure a comfortable stay for everyone.

Equipment & Technical Needs

Are you planning to bring your own instruments, laptop, MIDI controllers, or other gear? Do you require any specific technical setup or accommodations to work effectively?

Additional Comments or Notes

Use this space to share anything else you feel we should know, whether it’s about your creative philosophy, logistical considerations, or personal context that may enrich your participation.

Your Application Summary

Before submitting your application, be sure to check all the details you provided. You will be able to get back to a current step and edit your information (if needed).

Personal & Contact Information

Your Full Legal Name:
Your Preferred Name / Stage Name:
Your Date of Birth:
Your Nationality & Country of Residence: -
Your Email Address:
Your Phone Number:
Your Primary Language(s) Spoken:
Your Current Occupation or Activity:

Artistic & Musical Background

Your Primary Artistic Role(s): -
Your Musical Education & Training:
Your Songwriting Experience & Style:
Your Previous Collaborative Projects:
Your Cultural & Regional Influences:

Portfolio & Demos

Demos of Your Work

Demo 1
URL:
Description:

Demo 2
URL:
Description:

Demo 3
URL:
Description:

Demo 4
URL:
Description:

The Highlights of Your Originality:
Your Versatility & Range:

Motivation & Availability

Your Motivation to Join the Camp:
Your Cultural Exchange & Collaboration:
Availability & Commitment: -

Practical Details & Additional Information

Travel & Mobility: -
Your Dietary Restrictions or Special Requirements:
Your Equipment & Technical Needs:
Your Additional Comments or Notes: