The Innovation Fund of Montenegro organized on 5 December 2025 the workshop “Mapping the Needs and Challenges of Youth and Women in Eco-Entrepreneurship in Montenegro,” held at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro. The workshop was implemented within the international NET4GREEN project, which aims to strengthen the cross-border innovation ecosystem and improve the conditions for developing eco-entrepreneurship among young people and women in Montenegro, Italy, and Albania. The project is implemented under the IPA South Adriatic Programme in the period 2025–2027.
The workshop gathered representatives of business-support organizations, the Ministry of Economic Development, women’s business associations, women entrepreneurs, academia, local initiatives, and civil society organizations. The event was facilitated by Snežana Šćepanović from the Innovation Fund of Montenegro. The workshop opened with remarks by Saša Ivanović from the Innovation Fund, who presented the objectives, planned activities, and expected results of the NET4GREEN project. This was followed by a presentation by Ana Šebek, Advisor at the Ministry of Economic Development, who provided an overview of the current state of women’s entrepreneurship in Montenegro, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy until 2028, and its accompanying Action Plan. A dynamic and focused discussion then followed, moderated by Snežana Šćepanović and Jasna Pejović, entrepreneur and Chair of the Committee for Women’s Entrepreneurship at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro.
During the discussion, participants identified key challenges hindering the development of eco-entrepreneurship, including insufficient awareness and visibility of successful practices, unfair competition, unequal access to support programmes, and the lack of clear criteria defining what constitutes an eco-business. Participants also highlighted the need for education, mentoring, targeted support programmes, and stronger institutional incentives for young people and women. Proposed directions for further action included strengthening regulation, increasing the visibility of successful eco-entrepreneurs, developing support networks, and enhancing cooperation among institutions and organizations working in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Through the next phases of the NET4GREEN project, and in cooperation with key stakeholders, the Innovation Fund will continue to improve the conditions for the development of eco-entrepreneurship as an important driver of the green and blue transition and the sustainable development of Montenegro, with particular emphasis on supporting young people and women who are developing innovative and sustainable businesses.
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