As klix.ba reports, the Association of Business Women of BiH and the Gender Center of FBiH in Sarajevo presented the results of the project "Empowered Women for Strong Communities" today.
Aida Zupčević, president of the Association of Business Women in BiH, said that this is not the end of the project, but only the end of the first phase, and that she is happy with the results achieved.
Lejla Hodović, of the Office for Gender Equality of the FBiH Government, expressed satisfaction that after a year and a half of signing the agreement with the Association, she can talk today about concrete results, but also recommendations that will give direction for further institutional action.
"The current challenges of globalization and accelerated development of technology have a direct positive impact on encouraging business creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit of women. With the help of the Gender Center, the FBiH Government implemented two programs. Business Association implemented the program on women's entrepreneurship in the FBiH in six municipalities," she said.
These activities established a systemic solution model to support the accelerated development of women's entrepreneurship applicable to all municipalities through the establishment of entrepreneurial clubs as an informal municipal body.
"This provides support that is reflected in professional support for education, which will ensure stable development and growth of entrepreneurship among women. For the first time, cooperation is established between the municipal administration and women coming from business, who will act through a working expert body and ensure consistency in drafting policy proposals at the cantonal and entity levels, and directly supporting the development of women's entrepreneurship in local communities," she said.
This model of cooperation must be promoted and jointly developed by initiatives to establish systemic measures in laws, policies, strategies, and plans to directly or indirectly affect women's entrepreneurship, including access to finance in the form of grants or loans.
Amir Zukić, Minister of Development, Entrepreneurship, and Crafts of FBiH, presented ways to help women in entrepreneurship: "In the past period, the FBiH government has continuously helped women entrepreneurs, especially young people. When it comes to technology and the application of innovative solutions, 23 million KM of grants have been allocated, which are aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs."