Local perspectives

Women's entrepreneurship is not just an economic opportunity – it is a driver of innovation, more resilient communities and sustainable development. The Regional Development Agency "South", with the support of the European Union through the EU PRO Plus programme, has been providing women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, resources and knowledge to develop and improve their businesses for years.

One of the significant steps in this direction was the project "From crisis to circularity: Increasing uptake of the circular economy principles by Southern Serbia MSMEs ", through which small and medium-sized enterprises in the processing industry, agriculture, food sector and construction received support in the introduction of green and circular business solutions.

With the European Union support of 26,800 Euros, a total of 52 enterprises participated in mentoring, education and networking programmes, improving their digital skills and introducing innovations that make them more competitive in the market.

We discuss the importance of such initiatives, key challenges and ways in which women can further strengthen their business with the Director of the Regional Development Agency "South" Dragana Stojanović.

How did European Union support programmes impact the development of women entrepreneurship in the area covered by the Regional Development Agency "South" and the local level in general?

Starting your own business as a woman in Serbia is often not an easy task. It takes courage, perseverance and enormous commitment, but also concrete support, which can make the crucial difference between survival and giving up. That is why the European Union support programmes brought enormous changes to women who decided to step into entrepreneurial waters.

Through grants, many female entrepreneurs in the southeast of Serbia got the opportunity to acquire the necessary equipment, improve production and introduce new services. Some have just started their journey, while others have managed to expand their business and employ more people, which is especially important in smaller communities, where such opportunities are rare.

What sets these programmes apart is not only financial support - which is certainly important, but no less important is the opportunity for women to connect, exchange experiences and feel that they are not alone in the challenges they face.

What are the key challenges that women entrepreneurs in your surrounding most often face and how do they overcome them?

Women entrepreneurs in the south-east of Serbia continue to face numerous challenges that often put them at a disadvantage compared to men. One of the biggest challenges is balancing business obligations and family responsibilities, as family care and informal work still largely fall on women. And entrepreneurship requires commitment, often more than standard working hours, which can be an obstacle if there is no family and community support.

On the other hand, women entrepreneurs have a huge potential to contribute to local economic development, create new jobs and strengthen the entire society. In order to fully utilise this potential, it is necessary to create a stimulating environment that enables women not only to start their own business, but also to develop and expand it in the long term.

In the last few years, significant steps have been taken towards strengthening female entrepreneurship through grants, mentoring support and educational programmes. More and more women are taking advantage of these opportunities, connecting, learning and finding ways to overcome obstacles. Networking and mentoring proved to be key success factors, because through sharing experiences and support, women not only strengthen their own businesses but also inspire others to follow the same path.

That is why it is important to continue with incentives and create long-term strategies that will enable women to take a safer step towards business success. When a woman starts a business, it's not just her personal victory – it's a win for her family, the local community and the entire economy.

Can you share an inspiring story about a successful woman entrepreneur you supported to get and successfully use the EU support?

There are many great projects to single out, but I will especially highlight the example of Dr. Sanja Obradović, a young and ambitious doctor who decided to stay in her hometown and improve local dental standards.

Sanja, the owner of the dental practice „Sanja Dentist“ from Pirot, wanted to improve her business by introducing modern treatments, but faced the challenge related to acquiring equipment that would raise the quality of services to a higher level. She found a solution through the EU PRO Plus programme, which, with the European Union grant support, enabled her to purchase soft tissue lasers and an additional dental chair.

With the expert support of the Regional Development Agency "South", Sanja successfully prepared documentation and applied for funds. Today, thanks to this investment, her dental practice is the first in Pirot and the surroundings to offer several cutting-edge treatments, providing more precise, painless and effective results compared to traditional methods.

In addition to the expansion of services, the additional dental chair allowed the clinic to accommodate a larger number of patients and reduce waiting times, improving the quality of service and the health safety of both patients and medical staff. The most important result of this support is the employment of another female dentist, thus expanding the team to three female doctors, with additional jobs in administration and maintenance.

The story of Dr. Sanja Obradović is one of many presenting a successful female business - but all of these good practice examples, if I had listed more, would lead to the same conclusion - financing woman entrepreneurship is a smart investment that brings positive changes to the entire community.

How important are networking and mentoring support for women starting and developing their businesses?

Many women think about starting their own business, but often give up before taking the first step. Fear of failure, uncertainty and the challenge of investing initial capital are just some of the obstacles that may discourage them. There is still an opinion that the business world is predominantly male, which makes this road even more difficult for women. Many women entrepreneurs say that it is nice to be your own boss, but that the uncertainty and risk of business often prevail.

This is precisely why networking and mentoring support are key. Connecting with more experienced entrepreneurs, sharing experiences and access to mentors provide women not only useful advice but also the necessary encouragement. Knowledge of how to overcome the first obstacles, how to improve business processes and how to access financing can significantly reduce the risk of failure.

In addition, mentoring support helps in strengthening leadership skills, setting realistic goals and strategic planning. When women entrepreneurs have access to support networks – whether through professional associations, business forums or accelerator programmes – they become more confident and ready to develop their ideas.

Non-financial support often makes the key difference between success and failure. That is why it is important to invest not only in financial incentives but also in strong structures that allow women to connect, learn and grow - because only then can their businesses realise their full potential and contribute to the economic development of the community.

How is the RDA "South" involved in supporting women in entrepreneurship and what is the role of local institutions in this process?

The Regional Development Agency "South" provides continuous support to women entrepreneurs through the promotion of financial programmes, free advisory services and training. We help them create business plans, prepare documentation for applying for support programmes, and empower them through training sessions tailored to their needs.

Since 2021, the Ministry of Economy has been implementing the Programme for Encouraging the Development of Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth, which provides more favorable financing conditions. In the beginning, women entrepreneurs could use 35% of grants and 65% of credit funds, while later even more favorable measures were introduced. Thus, in 2023, the grants were increased to 40%, and in 2024, special support was introduced for women entrepreneurs and single mothers, with grant funds up to 50% or even 55% of the investment value.

In addition, in 2024, the Support Programme for the Development of Women's Entrepreneurship in the rural area was launched, providing for the first time 100% grants for women involved in the food production. This programme supported seven entrepreneurs in the Nišavski, Pirotski and Toplički districts, with the total value of the purchased equipment of 3,468,000 Dinars.

In addition to national programmes, the region has developed a business infrastructure that includes institutions such as the Regional Development Agency "South", the Pirot Free Zone and the Startup Centre, along with the local and international financial incentives. Thanks to these initiatives, the position of women in entrepreneurship is becoming more and more favourable, and the available support network enables them to develop and sustain their business more easily.

What advice would you give to women who are thinking about starting their own business?

Be bold and persistent. Success in entrepreneurship does not depend on gender but on the idea, courage, and willingness to learn and grow. Women often build long-term sustainable businesses because they are driven by passion, creativity, and a commitment to quality—but also to their families.

The key is to constantly invest in your knowledge and adapt to market changes - because innovation and flexibility are what make the difference between an average business and an exceptional one.

What are the next steps for promoting women entrepreneurship locally and how do you see the improved role of the support programmes in the future?

For further progress of women entrepreneurship in Serbia, it is crucial to ensure that women entrepreneurs have the same rights to pregnancy and maternity leave as other employed women. This would provide them with greater security and encourage them to bravely enter the entrepreneurial waters.

Also, future support programmes should include employment benefits, especially for those who are starting a business, as well as workforce subsidies, which would reduce initial costs and create more favourable conditions for the business growth.

It is also important to adapt financial programmes to the real needs of women entrepreneurs, especially in southeastern Serbia, where service activities such as trade dominate. The current support models are mainly focused on production and require higher investments than those that entrepreneurs in the service sector really need. A more flexible approach to financing would allow women to start and develop their businesses more easily.

When we support women entrepreneurs, we don't just strengthen individual businesses – we build a more resilient and prosperous community in which women have an equal opportunity to succeed.