The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) announced the launch of the Western Balkans (WB) Regional Network of Women in Entrepreneurship, at an event which took place on Friday 11 March in Tirana. The launch gathered businesswomen from the entire region, and also served as an opportunity to recognise WB Women Entrepreneurs of the Year 2021.

Exactly three years ago on this date, the Regional Cooperation Council launched the campaign aimed at empowering Women in Entrepreneurship (WE) in the Western Balkans. WE started with a video of Nada Marković, pioneer of the first female cooperative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The initiative continued across the region with the stories of many inspiring women in entrepreneurship: Arijana, Blerta, Daklea, Irena, Iris, Klodiana, Marta, Uta, and Zoja; followed by regional activities particularly focused on  empowering young women in business, including through the creation of the Regional Network of Women in Entrepreneurship. 

Women´s economic empowerment is critical to the Western Balkans’ resilience and recovery. The key objective of the Western Balkans Regional Network of Women in Entrepreneurship is to enhance partnerships for women’s economic empowerment, sparking a debate on creating an inclusive environment and addressing the challenges and needs of diverse women entrepreneurs across our region and across key Common Regional Market value chains.