More than 100 young entrepreneurs, supported by the European Union and the International Labour Organization, with the mentorship of the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Sarajevo founded the Alumni Network.

The establishment of this network of entrepreneurs is organized within the framework of the EU4BusinessRecovery project and aims to create new opportunities for networking of all entrepreneurs, to exchange their knowledge and experience in order to improve the entrepreneurial eco-system in Sarajevo Canton and beyond.

"The support of the European Union in this segment is in line with the Enlargement Strategy for the Western Balkans, which target to alleviate the current brain drain, to face many structural weaknesses, especially in the areas of research and smart development that increase the competitiveness of the economy and create new business opportunities. In previous years, we have supported the establishment of Local Employment Partnerships with almost 20 million euros in order to train and retrain thousands of unemployed people, but also to create hundreds of new businesses. The last step we are witnessing today is the establishment of the Alumni network of entrepreneurs and we are really proud that since the establishment of the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship we have supported all of you in your entrepreneurial plans and developments", stated Mr. Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union.  

The mechanism for establishing Local Employment Partnerships (LEP) initiated by the International Labour Organization has so far proven to be effective and self-sustaining and currently 25 LEPs are active in BiH.

"Today's establishment of the Alumni network of entrepreneurs is proof that this our methodology has results and that through its three key characteristics: decentralization, inclusive employment policy and gender equality, it provides an answer to the specific challenges that local communities face in the employment process in BiH. The introduction of new entrepreneurs into the world of business takes place in accordance with our global methodology "Start and Improve Your Business" (SIYB). Bosnia and Herzegovina is the first country in the Western Balkans where this methodology has been applied and which already has 14 certified SIYB educators, who train and prepare entrepreneurs for the world of business", emphasized Lejla Tanović, MOR coordinator in BiH.

From its establishment in January 2020 until today, and through projects supported by the European Union, the International Labour Organization, the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo, as well as other donors in BiH, the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship Sarajevo has supported the establishment of 115 companies, and the number participants of organized trainings exceeded 650.

"We are proud of our Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and the team that runs this Center. They are proof that young people, when given the opportunity, can make changes in the local community. The municipality of Centre Sarajevo has an obligation to be a leader in this area as well, and by establishing and developing this Center we want to make a change and develop a complete entrepreneurial eco-system, through our LEP Centre and Novo Sarajevo. In addition to us, there are educational institutions, the private sector, the employment service and non-governmental organizations, all with the support of the EU and the ILO. We continue to support the development of entrepreneurship with our own resources, because we want to position ourselves as a leader in the field of entrepreneurship, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also beyond," added Mr. Srđan Mandić, Mayor of Centar Sarajevo Municipality.

As part of the event, interactive workshops on the topic "Networking and human resource development" as well as panel discussions will be held, and attendees will learn more about the interests and networking models of entrepreneurs in Sarajevo Canton.

Ena Dujmović, designer and owner of the fashion brand "Plus minus Studio", considers the entire entrepreneurship support program very interesting and concludes: "I learned a lot through very interesting examples and interaction with other entrepreneurs. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity, as well as to be a part of today's event, because I believe that all this helps my business to progress. The establishment of the Alumni network of entrepreneurs is a continuation of all that, and I am happy to meet entrepreneurs from various backgrounds because we need to support each other. All this is very important for our individual growth, especially because gatheringds of this type open the possibility of joint cooperation, use of resources and services of others."

The alumni network of entrepreneurs of the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship Sarajevo is organized within the project "LEADER: Local Economy Activation - Development through Entrepreneurship Recovery" that is implemented wihtin the EU4BusinessRecovery project, which supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in mitigating the negative economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this project jointly financed by the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany, more than 1,000 jobs threatened by the pandemic will be saved and at least 100 new jobs will be created.