USAID and Impact Hub award 8 grants to women entrepreneurs from southern Serbia

USAID and Impact Hub have awarded eight grants totalling $35,000 to female entrepreneurs from Serbia’s Jablanica and Pčinja districts as part of the “She Knows” – Women’s Economic Empowerment project. These grants are designed to encourage innovation, support professional development, and enable recipients to develop their business ideas into sustainable enterprises. The checks were presented to the women entrepreneurs by Mrs. Julie Hill, spouse of the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia.

The eight grant recipients were among 104 women from Jablanica and Pčinja who participated in the program supporting employment, entrepreneurship, and employability. Out of 71 submitted business plans, eight were selected for their innovative ideas combining creativity and digital technology in traditional industries, aiming to advance their businesses further.

Brooke Isham, USAID Mission Director in Serbia, emphasized that after a successful first year and continued support from the public and private sectors, the “She Knows” project will expand to the Raška region next year. “Together, we are building a Serbia where every woman has the opportunity to succeed, and every community has a chance to prosper,” she stated.

Empowering Women in the Workplace

The “She Knows” project also organized an educational program, “Empowering Women in the Workplace,” featuring four training sessions for 24 companies. The program aimed to provide a deeper understanding and practical solutions for improving gender equality and inclusivity within their organizations by enhancing business processes and updating existing measures. Notably, 16 of these companies have already pledged to integrate these tools into their work environments.

Tatjana Macura, Minister without Portfolio for Gender Equality, remarked: “We recognize that women’s economic empowerment is not only a matter of social justice but also a key step toward strengthening the overall economy. Economically independent women not only contribute to GDP growth but also become pillars of their families and communities, inspiring new generations to fight for their place in society.”

Stories of Transformation

Ivana Lukić Janković, owner of a carpentry workshop in Surdulica and one of the grant recipients, shared her experience: “When I joined the ‘She Knows’ project, I had many ideas but didn’t know how to bring them to life. This program gave me the knowledge and tools I lacked—from marketing and finance to management and sales. Thanks to the grants and mentorship support, I was able to start my business and take the first steps toward achieving my dreams. I feel empowered and ready to continue developing my business, knowing I’m not alone on this journey. The support of a community of women facing similar challenges and successes has been invaluable.”

Promoting Gender Equality

Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, highlighted: “Equal representation of men and women in decision-making is essential, not only to meet legal requirements and quotas but because diverse perspectives lead to the best solutions for the entire community. Empowering women also means better access to various services, such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education, particularly in rural, hard-to-reach, and underprivileged areas. The goal of this project is to enhance the economic inclusion of women, especially young women, those from rural areas, and those not in education, employment, or training.”

Expanding the Vision

Gaia Montelatici, Director of the “She Knows” project, announced plans: “Next year, we will expand our core activities for women’s economic empowerment to the Raška district, in close collaboration with the accredited Regional Development Agency SEDA in Novi Pazar. Our next steps will focus on strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, such as the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, and promoting authentic leadership through which women contribute to the economy and society. Additionally, we will concentrate on refining sustainable models that support diversity and inclusion in economically viable ways, both locally and nationally.”