USAID’s Marginalized Populations Support Activity, in cooperation with the Municipality of Modriča secured 50,000 BAM for supporting the launch and development of businesses owned by marginalized women. These funds will be used to support 5 women, and Aleksandra Milić, one of the beneficiaries, will use them to open the first Montessori Center in Modriča.

Today’s contract signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Nikola Savić, Deputy Mayor of Modriča Municipality, who thanked USAID’s Marginalized Populations Support Activity for including Modriča in the third cycle of the Fund for supporting businesses owned by marginalized women.  He congratulated the future entrepreneurs and wished them successful and sustainable businesses with the support of the municipal administration and PPMG.

Some of the businesses involve agriculture and cattle raising, while others offer services, including education.

Aleksandra Milić is a young entrepreneur and an unemployed pedagogue. She and her team are planning to open the first Montessori Center in Modriča, for children between the ages of 3 and 6. “Montessori methods have been used for a century and are renowned world-wide.  We want to provide parents with an option for quality pre-school education for their children in our municipality”, said Aleksandra.

This support is intended for businesses owned by women with disabilities, mothers of persons with disabilities, women from rural areas, victims of violence and unemployed young women.

The funds are awarded through the Fund for Supporting Businesses Owned by Marginalized Women which was founded in the beginning of 2017, and has thus far supported over 200 businesses.

The support provided by the Fund resulted in the launch of sustainable businesses that continue to grow, improving many household budgets and providing new jobs.

Creating the Fund, with joint forces of USAID/PPMG and partners, provided opportunities for sustainable development of entrepreneurship of marginalized women, by encouraging self-employment, improving and facilitating their participation in entrepreneurship, and creating new jobs.