On October 29, 2025, in Banja Luka, at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, we summarized the results of the project “USPON – successful change of the position of women from rural areas”, co-financed by the European Union and Sweden within the “EU4Employment” program.

Thanks to the project, 20 women from Banjaluka, Laktaš, Petrovac, Ribnik and Šipovo started their own businesses, while more than 25 participants underwent training with employers and found employment.

The key results of the research on the employment of women from rural areas were also presented, as well as the video stories of successful beneficiaries that we recorded during the project. We are pleased to point out that in the area of ​​the cities of Banja Luka and Laktaši, as well as the municipalities of Petrovac, Ribnik and Šipovo, we supported 20 beneficiaries who started their own businesses, while 25 received on-the-job training at well-known employers, where they eventually found employment.

Through the video series, four beneficiaries were presented who managed to turn their ideas into real businesses. Their stories can be seen here: https://youtu.be/TvunATqxkpE?si=IU58h_y9z8t9DNCY 

“Also, thanks to the additional efforts of our project team, an additional 10 beneficiaries found employment,” stressed Vladislav Jakovljević, USPON project manager.

This project once again shows how the support of the European Union and Sweden through the “EU4Employment” program contributes to the empowerment of women, development of entrepreneurship and strengthening of local communities.