The “Economically Strong!” project is implemented by the Institute for Development and Innovation in the period from May 1 to December 31, 2024. The project is supported by the Ministry of Family Care and Demography, and its objective is to improve the socio-economic status of young women in Serbia aged 18 to 30, with the aim of enhancing their economic and social position and encouraging childbirth.
The problem identified, which the project directly addresses, is deeply rooted in the socio-economic structure of Serbia. Although Serbia opened its labour market to women during the 20th and early 21st centuries, and women’s participation in the labour force has increased, they remain in a disadvantaged position compared to men, similarly to trends observed worldwide.
Women in the labour market exhibit lower activity and employment rates than men, while unemployment remains persistently high. According to data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia for the third quarter of 2023, only 27.3% of young women aged 15–24 are active in the labour market, compared to 38.4% of men in the same age group. The employment rate for women in this cohort stands at 20.5%, compared to 28.8% for men.
Although unemployment rates between young women and men are relatively similar, the significantly lower participation of women in the labour market points to a deeper structural problem—namely, the structural marginalisation of women. These unfavourable economic indicators are also reflected in Serbia’s demographic trends.
In the period from January to December 2023, a total of 60,813 babies were born in Serbia, representing a decrease of 2.3% compared to the same period of the previous year. Furthermore, one-third of mothers who gave birth in 2022 were unemployed and had no source of income.
The objective of the “Economically Strong!” project is to provide young women with support in building economic independence and increasing their employability, thereby enhancing their equality and visibility in the labour market. In addition to strengthening their competitiveness, the project encourages entrepreneurial thinking, the development of individual business ideas, and the identification of innovative solutions. In this way, participants do not acquire only professional competencies, but also transfer knowledge, self-confidence, and motivation to their communities, becoming drivers of economic and social change.
More than 600,000 couples in Serbia live without children, while 320,000 families are single-parent households headed by mothers.
The project’s key activity is a Training Programme consisting of workshops in three core areas essential for starting or further developing a business: graphic design, marketing, and business management. The trainings are intended for unemployed women as well as for women who wish to start or advance their entrepreneurial ideas.
In the final phase of the project, an Expert Mentoring Event will be organised, providing participants with the opportunity to connect directly with representatives of public institutions, the business sector, and relevant organisations that can support their further professional and entrepreneurial development. In addition to expert guidance, participants will have the opportunity to meet other successful female entrepreneurs, exchange experiences, and build professional networks that may be crucial for their future business ventures.
Through concrete measures aimed at supporting women’s entrepreneurship, the Institute for Development and Innovation seeks to contribute to the creation of a society in which the economic independence of young women is not an obstacle, but rather a foundation for a more secure and higher-quality family life.
