In many parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, villages are slowly becoming empty, and old family houses are being left abandoned. However, in the village of Crnjevo near Zavidovići, a different story has emerged—one of entrepreneurship, persistence, and the vision of a woman who decided to transform her family home into a place where nature, tourism, and the local community come together.
Mirela Jusupović, together with her husband Alen, launched the rural household and apartment Crnjevo, inspired by the desire to preserve the house built by her parents and to demonstrate how even a small rural area can become an attractive tourist destination. The idea was born several years ago, at a time when many doubted that it was possible to attract visitors to a village without a prior tourism tradition. However, Mirela believed that nature, peace, and the authentic experience of rural life could become the greatest value of this place.
Today, Apartment Crnjevo offers a unique combination of a rural setting and modern comfort. Guests can enjoy clean air, cycling through nature, homemade food, and a stay in unspoiled surroundings, while also benefiting from modern amenities such as a mini wellness area with a sauna and jacuzzi. This concept demonstrates how rural tourism can combine tradition with modern tourism trends, creating a sustainable business model where nature and local resources become the core value.
A special feature of this business is its strong connection to the local community. From the very beginning, Mirela has worked to involve neighbors and local producers in the tourism offering. Guests can taste traditional dishes prepared by village residents, purchase local products, or take part in activities such as milking cows and visiting nearby farms. In this way, a small tourism business becomes a driver of the local economy and contributes to preserving the rural way of life.
The development of this idea was further accelerated through entrepreneurial support programs. As a participant in the IMPAKT Business Idea Incubator in Zavidovići, Mirela won first place, receiving financial support and assistance for the further development of her business. This support enabled improvements in the tourism offer, including the acquisition of additional equipment and services for guests. Mirela also had the opportunity to present her entrepreneurial story at the event “Welcome to the Future 2.0,” supported through the Private Sector Development Initiative, co-financed by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. The initiative is part of the broader GIZ program “Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion,” aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting new business opportunities for young people and women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This entrepreneurial story is an example of how a single idea can initiate positive changes within a local community. By combining nature, authentic rural experiences, and modern tourism services, Mirela Jusupović demonstrates that sustainable entrepreneurship can emerge far from large cities—where nature and community become the greatest drivers of development.
This success story was developed within the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme (SEDEP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, jointly financed by the European Union, the Government of Switzerland and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.
