On 11 March 2025, the conference Empowering Women through Digital and Green Transition was held in Sarajevo, organized by GIZ through the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Program (SEDEP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union and the Government of Switzerland.
The gathered women entrepreneurs, representatives of institutions and experts discussed obstacles and opportunities for women in business, with special emphasis on the importance of education, digitalization and sustainability. Empowering women is not only an issue of equality, but a key factor in strengthening the economy and society. Nevertheless, gender bias and the traditional division of jobs continue to hamper progress. The education system often fails to keep up with market needs quickly enough, which means that women should be given access to additional education, especially in the field of green economy and digital transition. Non-formal education and re-education open up space for creativity and potential development, making women more competitive in the labour market.
Special focus was placed on the importance of cooperation and connection with successful businesses, initiatives and support programs. Sharing knowledge and experience through mentoring and partnership projects allows women to more easily overcome challenges and find new business opportunities. Creating an environment where women have equal access to resources and the labour market contributes to strengthening their economic role in society.
The conference also presented GIZ’s programs to support women’s entrepreneurship, which aim to strengthen the ecosystem through concrete measures to support women, both existing entrepreneurs and those who are still planning to start their own business. Through education, mentoring and financial support, the SEDEP programme offers women the opportunity to develop sustainable business models and successfully adapt to digital and green economic trends. The program supports the green and digital transformation of the economy, with the aim of providing support for at least 50 women’s businesses through the duration of the project, empowering them for sustainable and competitive growth.
The conclusion of the conference is clear: economic empowerment of women requires systemic support, better educational opportunities and stronger connections with the business ecosystem. Only through concrete steps and cooperation of all stakeholders can we create a more inclusive and resilient economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
