Coworking and Coliving concept: the growing community of Digital Nomads & remote professionals

A relatively unfamiliar concept of working a decade ago, coworking changed the way in which workers interact within the business community. It is a modern style of working in a shared space which is usually rented out by freelancers, digital nomads or start-ups before they grow in labour size and opt for office buildings and a long-term lease. Coworking space is not just another office space, it is getting everything you need at once: furniture, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, kitchen, etc. with an only need to bring one’s laptop.

At first, it was welcomed with scepticism, however years later the popularity and influence grew greater than ever, with even reputable companies transitioning from private offices to such a concept. The first coworking space in Belgrade opened in 2012, and currently there are around 15 of them throughout Serbia, providing companies an innovative way of working.

In coworking space, businesses can rent anything from just a desk to a number of offices, for a few hours, days or even months. While mostly companies from the IT industry tend to use this concept of working, sharing the space means collaboration, which brings more creativity, connectivity and productivity, which are all the benefits to any industry and are crucial for an efficient corporate culture. In addition, a lot of freelancers and digital nomads are regular users of coworking spaces around the world. They are usually under the age of 40 years old, typically from the Millennial generation. They mainly work in the IT industry, followed by PR, marketing, and remote sales teams.

Another growing trend, co-living, brings working and living to a whole new level. It is a great option for those with remote jobs, who relocate often and are looking for a place at a lower cost while valuing community over individuality. This lifestyle allows individuals to live light, save money and build community. The trend of co-living came up as a solution for the generation of young professionals with no permanent or fixed place of living.

Coworking and co-living are two intertwined concepts that are restructuring the future of workers from all industries and sectors worldwide by allowing them to work and earn money within such communities, while exploring the world. A combination of both represents the perfect balance between personal and professional life with flexibility.