The Gender Equality Institute, within its program activities aimed at improving gender equality and reducing the gender gap in the field of economics, is announcing a call for participation in the training program to enhance the skills of female entrepreneurs under the title: “Building Successful Careers: Support Program for Female Entrepreneurs.”

Data on the position of female entrepreneurs indicate that women are still in an unequal position compared to men in entrepreneurship and face various forms of discrimination. Women also express a need for continuous education, professional development, and the enhancement of additional skills due to the specifics of female entrepreneurship.

Considering this data, the Gender Equality Institute has designed an educational program in the form of a two-day seminar to provide participants with information on the following topics:

Specifics of Female Entrepreneurship – This topic will highlight the specificities of female entrepreneurship, the industries where women thrive, a look at its history, and an analysis of the current situation, as well as the challenges it faces. We will also discuss the competencies needed for successfully running a business, explore funding sources, and examine current business trends. This will provide participants with a broader context and perspective on the role of women in the business world, help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, and foresee potential obstacles to success.

Legal Framework and Financial Management – In this section, we will cover the legal framework regulating entrepreneurship, practical aspects of starting a business (registration process), tax systems, and tax obligations, as well as financial management. The knowledge gained will help entrepreneurs recognize and respond to challenges that may arise in managing their own business, align their operations with relevant laws and regulations, and capitalize on opportunities for growth and development. Entrepreneurs will also learn to plan their finances better, avoid unforeseen costs, and analyze their business performance to identify areas for improvement.

Digital Marketing – This module will cover topics such as the basics of digital marketing, its role in modern business, online marketing strategies, social media marketing (strategies, content, and audience engagement), email marketing, and measuring the effectiveness of marketing activities. Understanding the fundamentals of digital marketing will allow entrepreneurs to effectively communicate with their target group through online channels and increase the visibility of their brand.

Preparing a Business Plan – In this section, participants will work on precisely describing their business, products and services, creating a marketing plan, defining the market, target customer groups, competition, production plan, and financial projections (income, expenses, profits, cash flow, etc.). Developing this part of the business plan will enable entrepreneurs to define their business goals and strategies to achieve them, better understand their market and competition, and adjust their products/services to market needs. They will also be able to evaluate the financial sustainability of their business venture and identify key areas for improvement. This part of the business plan provides deeper insight into the financial aspects of their operations and the ability to plan budgets, manage costs, and forecast revenues.

Personal Capacities: A key factor for a successful entrepreneurial start is inner strength – the ability to believe in oneself, recognize one’s values, and establish a clear personal and business direction. This aspect is particularly important for women entering entrepreneurship, as they often face not only the usual business challenges but also additional external and internal pressures – from societal expectations to personal doubts. Developing personal capacities helps women gain confidence in their decisions, overcome the fear of failure, and stay true to their values while building their businesses. A thorough understanding of oneself and working on inner strength is, therefore, not only personal development but also a practical prerequisite for a sustainable and authentic entrepreneurial journey.

Program Goal: To provide institutional support to women who are starting a business or those who already have experience and wish to improve their knowledge and skills. The goal is to support personal initiatives, innovation, and individuality, as these are the key gender aspects of entrepreneurship and the causes of gender-specific differences in entrepreneurship.

Eligibility: Women and girls entrepreneurs from the territory of Vojvodina who wish to start their business or are already involved in entrepreneurship.
The number of applicants for the education is limited. In case of high interest, preference will be given to candidates engaged in social entrepreneurship (those who run and/or are founders of social enterprises, entrepreneurs from rural areas, and start-up entrepreneurs (those operating for up to 3 years)).

The costs for transportation, accommodation, meals, and educational materials will be covered by the Gender Equality Institute.

Program Implementation:
The program will be implemented as a two-day training on May 23-24, 2025 (from 10 AM to 6 PM) in Novi Sad. The selected candidates will be notified about the exact location.

Deadline for Applications: Thursday, May 15, 2025.

APPLY NOW

For additional information, you can call 021/66 15 177, 66 15 133 or email zavod@ravnopravnost.org.rs