U periodu od 1. do 5. juna 2026. godine, Zlatibor (Srbija) je bio mesto okupljanja regionalnog tima i partnera na projektu EWI – Ekonomska inkluzija i pravda za žene Zapadnog Balkana. Ovaj izuzetno važan trogodišnji projekat, koji se sprovodi u partnerstvu sa organizacijom CARE i lokalnim partnerima ENECA (Srbija), LINK Mostar (Bosna i Hercegovina), Konsalting za strateški razvoj – SDC (Severna Makedonija) i Inovaciono preduzetničkim centrom Tehnopolis (Crna Gora) , uspešno je stigao do svoje sredine. Sastanak za srednjoročni pregled (Mid-Term Review) poslužio je kao platforma za dubinsku analizu dosadašnjih rezultata i trasiranje budućih koraka.
Prva dva i po dana skupa bila su posvećena intenzivnom radu užeg EWI tima i glavnih regionalnih partnera. Fokus je bio na maksimiziranju uticaja aktivnosti na terenu kroz detaljnu analizu implementacije, osvežavanje logičkog okvira i optimizaciju pristupa ekonomskom osnaživanju. Doneti su važni strateški zaključci koji garantuju stabilnost i dugoročnost podrške. Menadžment i partneri su potvrdili apsolutnu posvećenost podršci ženama preduzetnicama na terenu, osiguravajući da ekonomska nezavisnost i stabilnost korisnica ostanu primarni prioritet, bez obzira na ekonomske i tržišne pritiske. Dodatno, organizovana je sesija za partnere sa fokusom na finansije i nabavke, koja je od velikog značaja u ovoj fazi implementacije projekta kada je u toku dodeljivanje oprema i usluga u iznosu od 2500, 5000 i 10000 EUR odabranim biznis idejama, početnicama u biznisu, onima koje razvijaju svoje biznise i socijalnim preduzećima.
Nakon uspešno postavljenih strateških smernica, skup je dobio novu energiju kada su se timu pridružile predstavnice lokalnih grassroots organizacija civilnog društva (OCD) iz celog regiona. Ove organizacije predstavljaju nezamenjiv stub EWI projekta, jer svojim direktnim radom na terenu osiguravaju da podrška stigne i do ekonomski najugroženijih i najudaljenijih grupa.
Tokom zajedničkog rada organizovane su paralelne sesije i specijalizovane radionice za izgradnju kapaciteta lokalnih OCD, sa posebnim naglaskom na teme privlačenja sredstava (Fundraising za OCD), zagovaranja za ženska ekonomska prava i finansijske obuke. Razmenom bogatog iskustva i usklađivanjem prioriteta za naredni period, osnažene su veze unutar regionalne mreže, sa jedinstvenim ciljem stvaranja boljih prilika i ekonomske pravde za žene širom Zapadnog Balkana.
Projekat EWI se realizuje sa CARE Austrijom, a u okviru programa Austrijskog međunarodnog partnerstva (#InternationalPartnershipsAustria), uz podršku Austrijske razvojne agencije (ADA).
Snažni zaključci sa Zlatibora i sinergija ključnih partnera garantuju da se projektno putovanje nastavlja sa jasnom vizijom: dugoročna, stabilna i direktna podrška ženskom preduzetništvu i zapošljavanju.
EWI Project Mid-Term Strategic Review: Strengthening Economic Justice and Partnerships for Women in the Western Balkans
From June 1st to June 5th, 2026, Zlatibor (Serbia) hosted the regional team and partners of the project EWI – Economic Inclusion and Justice for Women of the Western Balkans. This vital three-year initiative, implemented by CARE in close cooperation with country-level partners ENECA (Serbia), LINK Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Strategic Development Consulting – SDC (North Macedonia), and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis (Montenegro) , has officially reached its halfway point. The Mid-Term Review meeting served as a comprehensive platform to analyze achievements and outline future strategic steps.
The first two and a half days of the meeting were dedicated to intensive operational sessions of the core EWI team and main regional partners. The focus remained on maximizing on-the-ground impact through a thorough review of implemented activities, updating the project’s logical framework, and refining economic empowerment methodologies. Crucial strategic conclusions were reached to guarantee the stability and sustainability of the project’s support. The management and partners reaffirmed its absolute commitment to entrepreneur women on the ground, ensuring that their economic independence and stability remain the ultimate priority despite ongoing market and economic pressures. Additionally, a session was organized for partners with a focus on finance and procurement, which is of great importance at this stage of project implementation when the allocation of equipment and services in the amount of 2500, 5000 and 10000 EUR is underway to selected business ideas, start-ups, those developing their businesses and social enterprises.
Following the successful establishment of strategic directions, the gathering gained new energy as representatives from 10 local grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) from across the region joined the team. These organizations serve as an indispensable pillar of the EWI project, conducting vital field work with hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations, ensuring that the project’s benefits reach those who need them most.
The joint sessions featured parallel tracks and targeted capacity-building workshops for local CSOs, specifically focusing on Fundraising for CSOs, advocacy for women’s economic rights, and financial literacy training. By sharing extensive grassroot experiences and aligning priorities for the upcoming period, the regional network strengthened its ties, united by the shared goal of driving better opportunities and economic justice for women across the Western Balkans.
The EWI project is implemented with CARE Austria as part of #InternationalPartnershipsAustria, supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).
The powerful outcomes achieved on Zlatibor and the deep synergy among all key stakeholders ensure that the project journey continues with a clear vision: long-term, stable, and direct support for female entrepreneurship and employability across the region.
