Prokuplje – Nine women from the southern and southwestern Serbia obtained permanent employment through starting their own businesses, while 16 projects for the promotion of gender equality were implemented owing to the European Union's and the Government of Switzerland's  financial support amounting to 73, 220 euros.

The financing was done through the European Partnership with Municipalities Program “EU Progress.

Female entrepreneurs engaged in making clothes, growing mushrooms, making jewelery, tailoring, book-keeping and other activities, were given the equipment necessary for starting their own businesses. Thanks to the assistance provided by experts from the Business Incubaror Center in Vranje,  they also mastered new skills in marketing, sales, taxation and the legal aspects of  conducting business operations.

Projects in the field of gender equality were, among other municipalities and cities, implemeted in Bujanovac, Medvedja and Vranje, too.  

Those projects contributed to the improved health of women, their involvement in politics, the fight against gender-based violence, economic empowerment of women and to the promotion of gender equality among decision-makers in local self- governments.

Source: “Tanjug“ News Agency and Coordination Body