Development of female entrepreneurship in the municipality of Rožaje

The municipality of Rožaje started implementing the project "Development of female entrepreneurship in the municipality of Rožaje". The project is financed by the EU and is part of the IPA IV Human Resources Development 2012-2013 program.

          Partners in the project are the Union of Employers of Montenegro, the Faculty of State and European Studies and the Association of Business Women of Montenegro.

          The time frame for the implementation of the project is 12 months (October 27, 2016 – October 27, 2017). The total project budget is EUR 105,890.14, of which the municipality and its partners co-finance 10%, in accordance with IPA rules.

          General goal of the project: improving the quality of life in the municipality of Rožaje through the empowerment of women in the field of entrepreneurship and the promotion of a culture of lifelong learning.

          Specific objectives of the project:

1. Improved level of employability of women from rural and urban areas of the municipality of Rožaje
2. Creating a supportive environment for potential and new women entrepreneurs, through the establishment of a new public service at the local level and the creation of new businesses run by women.

           The target group are young unemployed women and long-term unemployed women in the municipality of Rožaje.

           Main activities:

• Training unemployed women to start their own business, through training based on the principles of lifelong learning. The training topics are: interpersonal skills and leadership, entrepreneurship and ECDL;
• Establishment of the Office for the Promotion of Women's Entrepreneurship, in the local administration;
• Establishment of a women's business incubator;
• Provision of mentoring services for women entrepreneurs;
• Study visit to a successful business incubator;
• Networking at the national and regional level.

          The expected results of the project are:

1. Improved qualifications and abilities of women, in accordance with the requirements and new trends of the market;

2. Prepared and printed educational material for entrepreneurship;
3. The Office for the Promotion of Women's Entrepreneurship was established;
4. Established functional women's business incubator;
5. Prepared and printed informative material for establishing and running a business in accordance with relevant legislation, regulation and best practice.

          The project is of great importance both for the municipality of Rožaje and for the northern region of Montenegro, primarily because of the establishment of the Office for the Promotion of Women's Entrepreneurship in the local administration and the establishment of the first women's business incubator in the wider region.

          During the past weekend (December 3-4, 2016), the first module of the first training was held: Interpersonal skills and leadership. The participants of the training expressed particular satisfaction with the program, the work of the trainer and the project in general.

          In the coming period, training will continue, the Office for the promotion of female entrepreneurship will be established, and a business incubator for entrepreneurship started by women will be launched.

Amela Callender