The OsnaŽene platform is the first digital entrepreneurial ecosystem in Serbia created specifically for women. Through mentoring, digital tools, education, and market access, the project has provided concrete support, confidence, and growth opportunities to hundreds of women—both those just starting their businesses and those seeking to expand existing ones—in line with modern trends.
This approach earned OsnaŽene the 2024 European Enterprise Promotion Award in the category of digital transformation. The organisation celebrated this prestigious recognition with a formal event at the Europe House in Belgrade, bringing together representatives of the diplomatic corps, financial institutions, and many successful businesswomen.
Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, highlighted that OsnaŽene received the award in highly competitive circumstances, underscoring the importance and creativity of its founders and participants.
“This is a success for all of us who believe in the potential of women to shape the future of business. Supporting female entrepreneurship is truly one of the key elements of the European Union’s efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive economy. Over the years, the EU has passed laws, launched initiatives, and invested in programmes to help women start and grow their businesses. But most importantly, we’ve listened to what women and young entrepreneurs have told us they need,” said Halacheva.
Australia has also supported the platform. Peter Truswell, Australia’s Ambassador to Serbia, stated that the core strength of the platform lies in the power of ideas—when given the right tools, women can transform not only themselves and their families, but entire communities.
“OsnaŽene gives women a chance to enter the digital economy and become entrepreneurs. We were proud to support an initiative that aligns so closely with the Australian Government’s commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. We know that’s one of the best ways to accelerate sustainable development and reduce poverty,” said Ambassador Truswell.
The platform’s founder, Dr Indira Popadić, shared her own entrepreneurial story, full of challenges, which inspired her to help other women avoid the mistakes she made and receive the support they need.
“As a business consultant, I have to say—when a man comes for a consultation and I ask if he has the support of his family, the answer is always: yes. When a woman comes, her first obstacle is her family, having to prove herself and balance between children, husband, and relatives. That’s why, eight years ago, I published The Business Planner for Successful Women. We cannot manage time itself, but we can teach women how to manage themselves within the time they have available,” Popadić noted.
She also highlighted that all entrepreneurs on the platform have their own micro websites, which they complete themselves, helping them not only with additional promotion and customer access but also in improving their digital skills.
Well-known designer Verica Rakočević shared that the stories on the OsnaŽene platform inspire her to succeed further in her own business and sent a message that persistence is key.
“The most important message to our young entrepreneurs is—believe in yourself, and never let a single failure frighten you. Life, after all, is made of ups and downs. Perhaps it would be dull if everything went smoothly without those challenges. So, believe in yourself and consider yourself fortunate to be part of an organisation like OsnaŽene, whom I once again congratulate on the award,” said Rakočević.
Slavoljub Arsenijević from the Provincial Government of Vojvodina remarked that this region creates heroines and recalled his first deeper encounter with women’s entrepreneurship 20 years ago, while working as a journalist following the sale of a cement factory in Beočin.
“That’s when a businesswomen’s association emerged. I asked them why they united. They told me their husbands had spent all the severance pay they’d received, and they could no longer tolerate it. So during a gathering, they agreed to take matters into their own hands, pool the remaining funds, and launch their own businesses,” Arsenijević recalled.
Sonja Konakov Svirčev from Erste Bank said that beyond financial services, mentoring and knowledge transfer are equally essential.
“Women’s entrepreneurship is an inexhaustible source of energy, strength, and inspiration. About ten years ago, our team recognised precisely those women who, at the time, were overlooked by the state and other banks. We brought them under the umbrella of what’s generally called social entrepreneurship in Europe. Though the term has a slightly negative connotation here, we kept it and, in response, developed what we call social banking. There is nothing wrong with it—it is a vast source of potential and energy for social development,” said Konakov Svirčev.
Some participants shared their success stories to offer encouragement and inspire others to take the leap.
“I’m living proof that it’s never too late. I’m over 50 and just now starting my own business. I’ve only recently joined the platform and I’m deeply grateful. I truly believe it’s never too late. You just need strength, willpower, and love for what you do to keep moving forward and improving your skills,” said Gordana Jovin from Novi Sad, a dermatologist and venereologist.
“As someone who already has a fairly developed business, I was intrigued by one particular feature you offer. You have a partnership with the postal service that lowers shipping costs—something I can’t obtain myself as I have many shipments but not enough volume for discounts. That alone was enough reason for me to join. But then I found myself on a moving train that just kept going,” said Branka Golubović, owner of the Wool Art brand.
What is EEPA?
The European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) is a European Commission initiative that has, since 2006, recognised and rewarded the best European projects promoting entrepreneurship and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through six competition categories, EEPA highlights local and regional initiatives that, through their innovative approaches, contribute to the growth of entrepreneurial spirit in Europe.
To date, more than 4,400 projects have participated in the competition, resulting in the establishment of over 11,000 new businesses. The awards are presented each year at the SME Assembly, the flagship event of European SME Week, bringing together policymakers, businesspeople, and entrepreneurship organisations from across Europe.
If you’d like to read the full success story of how OsnaŽene achieved its breakthrough, you can do so by clicking the link HERE.
