The project is run by Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, IKEA Serbia and MasterCard. Its aim is to economically empower women and improve their status in society and their work environment.

You are a woman entrepreneur? You run a successful business? You work for a company which employs at least 50% women and have an idea on how to make that number even bigger? Then this is an opportunity for you.

The winner of the competition “I am Bold!” (“Ja sam odvažna!”) may receive a nonrefundable amount of 5.000 up to EUR 7,000 EUR for running their business ideas, which are related to the social and economic empowerment of women, and improving gender equality.

The competition is open to all businesses the owners of which are, or are managed by women, or any legal entity which employees a minimum of 50% women, and which will use the competition to create at least 1 more job role for women. The main business activity which will be supported is the production of toys, textiles, food as well as craftsmanship. Projects will be chosen based on their impact on employing women, relevance and capacity to achieve a commercial progress, as well as sustainability after the end of the project.

The following entities are eligible to apply:

  • Micro companies;
  • Landowners/agricultural associations;
  • Entrepreneurs;
  • Companies which employ marginalized and socially vulnerable women;
  • Citizens’ association with a mission to improve the economic independence and social standing of women, and have a commercial activity which employs women.

The competition is open until 12th December, and all the relevant information, including the necessary forms and conditions for applying can be found here.