Last week, the BizUp Goes Green and Digital event was held in Sarajevo, organized by the Foundation 787 through the Private Sector Development Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented as part of the broader GIZ programme “Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion (SEDEP)” in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Demo Day, the final event of the #BizUpGoesGreenAndDigital programme, showcased the results of eight months of intensive support provided to 15 women entrepreneurs from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, who developed their businesses through principles of sustainability, digital transformation, and responsible business practices. The programme included structured workshops, mentoring, coaching, strategic business analysis, as well as grant support in the amount of 6,000 BAM per business, aimed at strengthening competitiveness and market readiness.
Throughout the programme, participants worked on improving their business models, testing ideas, and introducing changes that contribute to green and digital transformation, with a particular focus on long-term sustainability and strengthening the economic position of women in business.
The final presentations demonstrated a high level of commitment, innovation, and resilience, and the organizers highlighted the importance of continuous support for women entrepreneurs as a key segment of economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These results are directly linked to the broader strategic framework for supporting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment implemented by GIZ across the Western Balkans region, including the upcoming Gender Equality Forum (GEF).
This year’s GEF, titled “Progress Under Pressure – Advancing Gender Equality in the Western Balkans,” will take place on 2 July 2026 in Sarajevo. The Forum is a permanent side event of the Berlin Process, bringing together representatives of governments, parliaments, local authorities, civil society, academia, media, and international organisations from across the region, with the aim of advancing gender equality through regional dialogue and cooperation.
The 2026 Forum is chaired by the Government of Montenegro, hosted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Through an interactive and participatory format, the GEF provides a platform for exchange, networking, and the development of concrete initiatives that strengthen women’s rights, participation, and economic empowerment across the Western Balkans.
By linking programmes such as #BizUpGoesGreenAndDigital with regional initiatives like the Gender Equality Forum, GIZ and its partners further reaffirm their commitment to creating inclusive economic opportunities, strengthening women’s entrepreneurship, and advancing gender equality as a key prerequisite for sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
