About
Empowering IT community through learning and networking
In a decade, DAFED Association matured into the largest design and tech community in Serbia.
It all began with a simple need: choosing the right tech stack for a project. In 2012, our cofounder invited a few fellow frontend developers to discuss the options, and from that gathering, the first DAFED Meetup was born. What started as a small gathering quickly grew into the largest tech meetup in Serbia with globally recognised speakers from the design and tech field. Today, DAFED Association has evolved into a vibrant community with over 2,500 members, providing a platform for learning, networking, and collaboration for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
From the outset, DAFED Association has been committed to education and community-building.
In addition to hosting 60+ meetups (and counting), we’ve conducted JavaScript, Angular, and PHP courses, successfully completed by over 100 participants.
In collaboration with CZOR, we launched the “From Zero to Hero” program to equip young people with no tech experience with web design, development, and soft skills, helping them explore new career paths. The program concluded with a speed business dating event, where participants presented their projects to company representatives, resulting in many securing jobs or internships.
We have also organized various workshops focused on the creative and startup industries, including the first Startup Weekend in Novi Sad.
Our Balkan Tour was a notable milestone, where we hosted talks and workshops in cities like Sarajevo, Niš, Banja Luka, and Novi Sad. This tour brought together tech enthusiasts and experts across the region.
Curious about how DAFED started? Watch our founders share the story and insights in this Netokracija podcast!
Our impact
We are proud to have helped countless individuals secure their first or new jobs through our recommendations and introductions to companies that we identified as a good fit. We also take pride in connecting companies with each other, fostering fruitful and long-lasting collaborations.
Our founders regularly speak at events for students, covering not just design but also business topics, entrepreneurship, and leadership. We believe in sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
One of our most successful projects is Hubitat, a community and coworking space located in the heart of Novi Sad. Originally part of DAFED, Hubitat has since grown into a standalone business, providing a vibrant space for collaboration and innovation.
