12 Mar IMPACTA Project Partners Meeting Held in Belgrade
12.03.2026
A partners’ meeting of the IMPACTA – Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors project was held in Belgrade on March 10–11, 2026. The project is a European initiative implemented within the Danube Region Programme.
The project aims to empower female entrepreneurs and women investors operating in the field of social innovation – ideas and solutions that bring benefits to society. Through this project, a new model of cooperation and support is being developed that goes beyond the borders of a single country and can be applied throughout the Danube Region. Special focus is placed on innovative mentoring programs, networking, improving the position of women in the labor market, and facilitating access to potential sources of financing for women in business.
The consortium consists of eight partners from seven countries: Women Business Angels (Hungary), Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations – Varna (Bulgaria), Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Moldova, HÉTFA Research Institute (Hungary), Technological Park Varaždin (Croatia), Association of Business Women in Serbia, TUM International GmbH – The University Company (Germany), and Ukranian HUB v. NGO BRIT (Ukraine).
During the two-day meeting in Belgrade, partners reviewed the progress of project activities and discussed the next steps in the implementation of the project.
On the first day of the meeting, the partners presented the results and activities implemented so far, followed by discussions on collected data, the preparation of national reports, and the analysis of existing policies and practices influencing the development of women’s entrepreneurship in the region.
Particular attention was dedicated to the activity focused on capitalization of existing knowledge, where partners reviewed the results of the research conducted so far and jointly worked on formulating recommendations that will contribute to improving policies supporting women in business.
Within the activity Synergising Territorial Insights for Local Development through International Innovation HUBs, plans were presented for the development of training materials, methodologies and local workshops intended for experts, researchers and practitioners in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Another important topic was building cooperation among local stakeholders and partners, with a focus on establishing local support groups and organizing networking events for relevant actors who can contribute to the development of women’s entrepreneurship.
After the working sessions on the first day, partners had the opportunity to explore Belgrade through a guided city tour, where they learned more about the history and cultural heritage of the city, as well as about notable Serbian women who left a significant mark on history through their work and influence.
The program continued with a study visit to the Belgrade Design District in Čumićevo sokače, where the partners were welcomed by fashion designer Marija Ivanković Jurišić, founder of the brand Marija Handmade.
Her atelier is dedicated to tradition, authenticity and sustainable fashion, and it holds a certificate for traditional crafts. Through her work, Marija reinterprets traditional Serbian motifs in contemporary forms, using exclusively natural fibres such as wool, cotton, silk, linen and hemp, often hand-dyed with natural pigments.
Through her work she actively promotes the preservation of textile heritage, as well as the development of women’s and social entrepreneurship while respecting ecological principles. For her contribution to creative industries and women’s entrepreneurship, she has received multiple awards, and in 2024 she was internationally recognized as one of the 15 global ambassadors of women’s entrepreneurship in New York.
The networking and exchange among partners continued during an informal dinner, providing an additional opportunity for sharing experiences and strengthening cooperation in a relaxed atmosphere.
On the second day of the meeting, partners presented concepts and plans for the implementation of upcoming project activities, including several pilot programs that will be tested within the project. These include the development of digital gamified interactive tools for young women entrepreneurs, training programs for women entrepreneurs and investors with a focus on social innovation, mentorship programs connecting business angels and women entrepreneurs, as well as the establishment of dedicated support spaces for women entrepreneurs.
The meeting in Belgrade represents an important step in the further implementation of the IMPACTA project and the continuation of international cooperation among partners working on the development of innovative support models for women in business across the Danube Region.