The Old Bazaar of Skopje is one of the city’s most significant cultural and historical areas, rich in artisan shops, traditional crafts, and centuries-old heritage. However, its visibility in the digital sphere is critically low, and there is no unified, accessible source of information for visitors. This gap makes it difficult for tourists to plan visits, for younger generations to engage with the space, and for artisans and small businesses to promote their work in modern ways.

The lack of digital infrastructure leads to reduced foot traffic, weakens cultural promotion, and contributes to economic stagnation within the Bazaar. It also risks alienating younger audiences who rely on mobile technology for cultural exploration and everyday navigation.

This initiative will respond to these challenges by conducting field research and consultations with artisans, youth, and local institutions. Based on the findings, a prototype of a mobile application will be co-designed to offer navigation, information on shops and events, and features that encourage interaction between visitors and local businesses. The initiative aims to identify their needs and challenges through field research, surveys, and direct communication with stakeholders. Based on the collected data, a mock-up of a digital platform will be developed, a mobile application that will enable easy orientation, access to information on crafts, events, cultural sites, and the possibility for interaction between visitors and local businesses.

The platform will serve as a bridge between tradition and new technologies and will be developed in collaboration with IT experts, local stakeholders, and young people from the community. The initiative is expected to increase the visibility of the Bazaar, stimulate tourism, support artisans and the cultural scene, as well as increase public engagement. Additionally, it will provide concrete data for budgeting and conditions for sustainable implementation of the final digital solution.