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
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, or 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.
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!
