September 2016

WOMEN ENTERPRENEURSHIP FAIR IN NORTHERN B&H

TPO Foundation started to implement the project ''Women Economical Strengthening for Peace in Communities'' more than a year ago in the area of municipalities Orašje, Domaljevac – Šamac and Donji Žabari. Having recognised resources and will of these women seminars and workshops whose focus was peace, economical strengthening of women, learning how to make a business plan and above all joint work of women from three ethnical groups were organised. After a few workshops 10 business plans were chosen including food production, cattle breeding, and production of jams, juices and dried fruits, jewellery making, sewing of traditional costumes, tattoo art work and playroom for children. Beside that grant winners designed and implemented activities contributing to peace development in the community through six projects including distribution of books to the district primary school in Kostrč with a particular emphasis on female authors, art workshop for women with the focus on relaxation and participation in social life, lecture and workshop on violence against women, seminars on protection and preservation of women's mental health and two debates on women's education and empowerment when it comes to battle against domestic violence.

The cycle of peace activities will be concluded by the end of September 2016.

All approved business plans are registered as trades and women entrepreneurs received refund of the invested funds from the municipality and they will be able to use it for the further development of their crafts therefore for their economical strengthening. The municipality has supported women entrepreneurship on the basis of Gender Action Plan (GAP) and announced they will still find the ways for the tax breaks in order to make it easier for women to enter the business world.
The main goal of the project is achieved, women entrepreneurs are encouraged to continue their crafts' investments, are supported by local government, they presented the first fruits of their labour and their work is also recognised by their fellow citizens. WA ''Posavski cvijet'', formed within this project in Orašje and gathering women from three towns of Northern B&H, will support women in this area through provision of advice and joint realisation of future projects and TPO Foundation will support them as well in its own way.