In the framework of the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2021-2024 and RCC Women Economic Empowerment Agenda, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is launching the Western Balkans Women Entrepreneurs of the Year initiative, one that will hopefully become a tradition, to recognise women who have started and developed their own business and contributed to new and sustainable jobs for other women and men in our region.

Women entrepreneurs are vital contributors to the prosperity of the Western Balkans. Their hard work, innovative thinking and unwavering commitment truly helps our economies grow and our societies thrive. Through this initiative, it is our intention to give a humble recognition to those brave and fierce women who dared to fight stereotypes and make the change.

The RCC welcomes nominations for women entrepreneurs in the region for the categories presented below.

Anyone can nominate. The RCC invites individuals, representatives of public and private institutions, Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations and regional and international partner organisations in the Western Balkans to nominate women entrepreneurs for the Western Balkans Women Entrepreneurs of the Year for the categories presented in the next section.

If you know a woman entrepreneur that:

• Has embraced green technological innovations, investments in energy efficient systems, green methods of production, aiming to reduce environmental risk, minimise pollution and resource use;
• Has developed a well-known company related to Arts, Culture, Design, Fashion, Lifestyle;
• Has developed a company with positive socio-economic impact, overcoming successfully the challenges COVID-19 pandemic brought to Travel and Hospitality Industry;
• Has demonstrated support in fighting stereotypes and tackling COVID-19 pandemic challenges by creating decent employment opportunities for the under-represented, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, such as Roma women;
• Has recently established a start-up (1-to-3-year business), demonstrating innovative solutions and growth potential;
• Is a young woman entrepreneur up to the age of 30, demonstrating economic empowerment and innovation?

Just click on the blinking button NOMINATE, fill out the form and that is it.

The nominations are open until 4th March 2022.