Call for Applications: Grants Supporting Women-Led Social Enterprises (Serbia)

Deadline: 27-Mar-2026

The Women-Led Social Enterprise Grant supports social enterprises in Southern and Eastern Serbia, providing up to EUR 10,000 to strengthen operations, promote sustainability, and advance women’s economic empowerment. Eligible entities benefit from funding, mentoring, training, and networking to enhance social impact, employability, and local development.

Overview of the Grant

This initiative is part of the Economic Inclusion and Justice for Women in the Western Balkans project. It aims to:

• Promote sustainable businesses run by women

• Increase women’s employability through vocational training

• Improve institutional and social conditions for women’s entrepreneurship

• Strengthen local stakeholders’ capacity to implement gender-sensitive policies

The second call of the program expands geographic coverage to reach more districts in Southern and Eastern Serbia, enhancing participation and social impact.

Funding Details

• Maximum funding per project: EUR 10,000

• Form of support: Equipment and services to improve operational capacity

• Purpose of funding: Enhance sustainability, promote employment, and support social inclusion

Eligible Use of Funds

• Purchase of new equipment critical to production or service delivery

• Services that support business development, such as financial planning or marketing assistance

Exclusions:

• Used equipment

• Raw materials not tied to production

• Equipment for purely commercial operations unless linked to service or production activities

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Entrepreneurs, companies, cooperatives, and civil society organizations engaged in economic activities

• Entities operating within the specified districts of Southern and Eastern Serbia

• Organizations that are women-led or majority-owned by women

• Entities demonstrating:

  • A clear social mission

  • Measurable social, economic, or environmental impact

  • Commitment to reinvesting profits toward social goals

  • Active operation for at least 12 months

Additional Benefits

Selected organizations will receive:

• Specialized training in financial planning, marketing, and social impact measurement

• Mentoring to strengthen operational and managerial capacity

• Promotion and networking opportunities to enhance visibility and collaboration

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility: Ensure the organization is women-led/majority-owned and meets social enterprise criteria

2. Prepare application: Include business description, social mission, and measurable impact outcomes

3. Define funding needs: Clearly specify equipment and services required, justifying how they support operations and social impact

4. Submit proposal: Follow official application procedures within the specified deadline

5. Engage in mentoring and training: Selected applicants will participate in program activities to maximize project success

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate clear alignment with social mission and gender empowerment objectives

• Provide quantifiable impact metrics (social, economic, environmental)

• Show how funding will enhance operational capacity and sustainability

• Highlight commitment to reinvesting profits toward social goals

• Include a realistic budget and justification for equipment and service purchases

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying if the organization is not women-led or majority-owned

• Requesting funding for used equipment or unrelated commercial facilities

• Failing to clearly demonstrate social impact or reinvestment strategy

• Omitting evidence of 12 months of active operation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum funding per project?
Up to EUR 10,000, provided as equipment or services to strengthen social enterprises.

2. Who is eligible to apply?
Entrepreneurs, companies, cooperatives, and civil society organizations operating in Southern and Eastern Serbia, women-led or majority-owned, with at least 12 months of active operation.

3. Can the grant fund used equipment?
No, except if directly tied to production or service activities.

4. What other support is provided?
Training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to enhance business development, marketing, and social impact measurement.

5. How should the funding be used?
Primarily for equipment purchases, with a portion allocated to business-support services.

6. Are there restrictions on commercial facilities?
Yes. Equipment for purely commercial operations is not eligible unless it directly supports production or service delivery.

7. What social impact criteria are required?
Applicants must demonstrate measurable social, economic, or environmental impact and a commitment to reinvesting profits toward social goals.

Conclusion

The Women-Led Social Enterprise Grant empowers organizations in Southern and Eastern Serbia to strengthen operations, promote sustainable entrepreneurship, and advance women’s economic empowerment. With funding, training, and mentoring, recipients can enhance social impact, employability, and local development while building sustainable and resilient businesses.

For more information, visit CARE.