EWI aims to enhance the economic position of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia by addressing structural barriers to their financial independence. Its primary objectives include increasing women’s participation in the labor market, supporting women-led entrepreneurship, and fostering an enabling environment through the transformation of discriminatory gender norms. The project focuses on empowering vulnerable groups of women and strengthening the capacities of local civil society organizations to advocate for more inclusive economic policies and improved access to financial resources.
In its first year, the project achieved significant results, reaching 1,149 women through capacity-building sessions and financial literacy workshops. A key milestone was the selection of 385 women who successfully developed business plans for upcoming investment support, alongside the engagement of 10 local grassroots organizations that received specialized mentoring to lead regional initiatives. Additionally, the project established formal cooperation with municipal authorities and reached 50 institutional stakeholders through advocacy activities, ensuring a solid foundation for the implementation of economic empowerment measures across the target regions.
