48 women from 22 municipalities in South East and South West Serbia will start their own businesses thanks to the EU, Swiss and Serbian Governments which have secured EUR368,000 for the implementation of activities contributing to economic empowerment of women within the European PROGRES Programme.
New women entrepreneurs engaged in, among other professions, dentistry, clothing and jewellery production, tailoring, processing and preservation of fruits and vegetables, have received equipment to start their businesses. Moreover, they have acquired the necessary knowledge about marketing, sales, taxes and legal aspects of business.
“Employment of women and their inclusion in labour market is one of the top priorities of Serbian Government. This is why we actively contribute to activities funded by European Union and Swiss Government through European PROGRES, aimed at promotion of social and economic status of women and gender equality,” said Minister in charge of European integration Jadranka Joksimovic on the occasion of presenting certificates to new female entrepreneurs at the meeting held in Raska.
Joksimovic said Serbian Government named 2016 the “Year of Entrepreneurship,” and by focusing particularly on female entrepreneurship, the Government confirmed its commitment to support both male and female entrepreneurs and the development of entrepreneurial spirit as pillars of competitive and dynamic economy. “I am happy to see these new women entrepreneurs today. They give momentum to the development of female entrepreneurship and job creation and we know that nowadays, creating a new job represents a success. The time has come for successful women,” said Joksimovic.
Congratulating the new entrepreneurs, Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia Jean-Daniel Ruch said Swiss Government and the EU, together with Serbian Government, supported the establishment of institutional and legal framework for gender equality for more than a decade.
“By doing so, we promote both female entrepreneurship and gender equality. You are the real role model for other women who strive to gain independence and start their own business and European PROGRES is there to support you,“ Ambassador Ruch said.
Thanks to the support from the EU and Swiss Government, gender equality councils have been established in all 34 municipalities included in the programme, whereas 32 of them have signed European Charter on Gender Equality.
Through European PROGRES programme, future women entrepreneurs will receive mentor and expert support to run their businesses and ensure operation viability. The municipalities included in the Programme are expected to gain at least 80 new jobs by the end of 2017.
“When 48 women embark on a journey to start their own business, with prospects of creating new jobs, they immediately make the lives of their families better while making a positive impact on local economy and improving the living standard of their fellow citizens. However, the most important thing is that you are setting a great example to future generations,” said Graeme Tyndall, European PROGRES Programme Manager.
The European Union and the Government of Switzerland will support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, which contributes to the sustainable development of the South and South West Serbia, with a total of 24.46 million euros. Approved projects will be aimed at strengthening local administration, creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improving the implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. The programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Central Finance and Contracts Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia (CFCU).
The municipalities included in the programme are as follows: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, as well as Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica and Bela Palanka in South East Serbia.
