The Institute for Development and Innovation has recognised social innovations as an opportunity for further development in the Jablanica and Pcinja districts. To achieve these goals, it operates in synergy with national and local authorities, as well as representatives from the non-governmental sector and the economy. All activities over the next four years will take place under the ESIRA project, which is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe programme, serving as a platform for action in southern Serbia.
Conference in Leskovac: An Opportunity to Raise Awareness of Social Innovation Opportunities
To present the ESIRA project to key stakeholders, the media, and the public, a conference was organised on 23rd October 2024, in Leskovac. The conference was opened by Tatjana Macura, the minister without portfolio responsible for gender equality, the prevention of violence against women, and the economic and political empowerment of women. Macura emphasised the importance of innovation in enhancing social policy and stressed that the region’s future lies in the implementation of innovative solutions that integrate the most vulnerable groups of society. Brankica Stamenkovic, the city councillor for education representing the City of Leskovac, also addressed the attendees, expressing her delight that more women are choosing to pursue entrepreneurship.
Panel Discussions Dedicated to Women’s Entrepreneurship and Regenerative Agriculture
Following the official opening of the conference, two-panel discussions were held focusing on the initiatives currently underway in the Jablanica and Pcinja districts as part of the ESIRA project. The panels facilitated the exchange of prior experiences in enhancing women’s skills for entrepreneurship and presented plans for establishing and strengthening regenerative agriculture initiatives in southern Serbia, drawing on knowledge from Vojvodina where it is already being implemented.
Picture: Dejan Stanković and Institute for Development and Innovation