Supporting Women’s Entrepreneurship through Connection with Returnees and Knowledge Sharing.
The “Umrežene” project was inspired by the idea of connecting women — those with international experience and those just embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys in Serbia. The aim of this connection is to empower women’s entrepreneurship by facilitating knowledge transfer and offering support through a newly formed community. This initiative seeks to empower women looking to start or grow their businesses by providing them with the opportunity to learn from those who have already navigated similar challenges, gained valuable international experience, and successfully navigated their entrepreneurial journey.
Goals
Build a network of women with international experience who are ready to share their knowledge, skills, and experience with female entrepreneurs in Serbia
First step: Workshops
The first step of the project is to organise a series of workshops. The aim of these workshops is to provide participants with practical insights and help them kickstart, improve, and expand their businesses. Beyond the educational component, there is a strong focus on sharing experiences and creating a support system that will continue to grow.
The first series of workshops took place in November 2024 in Belgrade, covering key topics essential for starting a business, including the legal and financial aspects of business, sales, marketing, creativity, partnerships, networking, and mental health. Each workshop was 90 minutes long, led by returnee experts in these areas, who also gave participants the opportunity to ask questions and receive high-quality, specific information. The key focus of the workshop was networking and sharing experiences among participants, making the workshops a unique space for both personal and professional development.
Second step: Guides for female entrepreneurs
During the workshops, participants raised critical questions on various aspects of entrepreneurship. Returnee mentors offered insightful answers, addressing important topics such as legal frameworks, financial challenges, marketing strategies, and sales techniques.
Based on this valuable information, we created a short guide for women entrepreneurs, serving as a reminder of the key steps when starting a business and selling products. This guide is designed to offer clear and practical directions, helping women navigate entrepreneurial challenges and make informed decisions.
Download this unique guide here.
Third step: Continued Support and Tangible Results
Six months after the workshops, we brought together returnees and women entrepreneurs from across Serbia once again, this time at the Festival of Alternative Fashion. There, they shared their current challenges, successes, and ideas for further business development. In talking with women entrepreneurs, we learned what they’re planning and what they need to keep growing—so we can offer the kind of support that actually makes sense for them.
What does this step offer?
• Further networking among returnees and local entrepreneurs
• Exchange of experiences and ideas in a supportive environment
• Personalized support through individual consultations
• Inspiration for new business projects and collaborations
The gathering also served as a moment to reflect on participants’ progress – ranging from significant business growth and hiring women from local communities, to rebranding efforts and refreshed visual identities, and even plans for opening new retail spaces and launching new collections. Many of the participants developed more advanced business plans, enhanced their online presence, introduced new products, and even started new ventures – showing how community and mentorship lead to real results and open doors for continued growth.
Fourth step: “Umrežene 2025” – Continuing Education
After the successful first cycle, in 2025 we continued by creating a new series of workshops for women entrepreneurs. The goal of these workshops was to provide participants with practical tools for business development and a space to share experiences — especially with mentors returnees and circular migrants, experts in their respective fields.
This year, we expanded the community’s impact by inviting 15 new participants and new mentors returnees, while continuing to support last year’s participants through two workshops tailored to their preferences. These sessions allowed them to reconnect, exchange experiences, and meet a new circle of women and mentors.
The workshops included six modules following the key steps in running a small business: from defining an offer and setting prices, through creating a business plan and a personal brand, to using digital tools and taking concrete actions to achieve goals.
The mentors, with both local and international experience, provided not only knowledge but also inspiration, demonstrating how to overcome the challenges of the entrepreneurial journey. A special part of the program was dedicated to connecting new and returning participants, ensuring that the support network continues to grow.
Step Five: Building the Community
Through “Umrežene”, our main focus is community building, which is why a large part of the workshops was dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs and mentors, so that the exchange of knowledge and experience can have a lasting impact.
During the workshops, we especially focused on connecting last year’s and new participants: previous attendees had the opportunity to rejoin, share their experiences, and offer advice to new participants, while the newcomers received inspiration and practical guidance from our growing network of mentors returnees. The most valuable moments often happened outside formal sessions, where spontaneous ideas for collaboration and future projects emerged.
In this way, the community continues to expand and strengthen, providing women with support, knowledge, and confidence to grow their businesses.
Step Six: A Practical Guide for Women Entrepreneurs
The knowledge gained through the workshops has been transformed into a practical guide containing key tips and steps: from defining your offer, creating a business plan and personal brand, to setting prices and using digital tools, so that participants can continue developing their businesses independently.
The guide was created based on participants’ experiences and questions, with mentors contributing examples and advice to ensure each recommendation is both practical and applicable. In this way, “Umrežene” provides long-term support: participants receive not just information, but a concrete tool that enables them to continue developing their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Join Us
“Umrezene” not only connects women from different backgrounds but also contributes to the development of local entrepreneurship by transferring knowledge and experience from abroad to the local community. Through interaction with returnee mentors and other participants, women will have the opportunity to create a network of contacts that could be crucial for their future professional development.
This project offers a unique opportunity for women who want to empower themselves and improve their business skills, as well as for building a community that will support and encourage each other in their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Join us and become a part of a movement that is transforming the world of women’s entrepreneurship!
