Unemployment is certainly one of the biggest issues Serbia is facing. Only in Lebane, home to some 22,000 people, the unemployment rate reached 61,4% after this municipality, formerly known for its textile products, has seen its biggest companies go bankrupt over the past two decades. The employed citizens do not have it easy either, with the average salary of 30,500 RSD - 25% lower than the national average.
Still amid the bleak statistics, in the heart of the defunct facilities of closed factories, buds the labour of love of a local women’s cooperative - the newly established “Ruža” social enterprise.
Jagoda Stojiljković, one of the employees, is well acquainted with these premises. She worked here for 23 years, when the facilities belonged to the public enterprise which went bankrupt in 2002. Jagoda has been looking for work ever since.
Jagoda’s story is far from unique in Lebane. Chronic lack of job opportunities, paired with a fairly conservative environment, devastated the local women’s access to the labour market. Hence, when the idea for a social enterprise came along, it was not intended as a generic business venture but a carefully crafted approach to address the intertwining issues of gender inequality, poverty, unemployment and discrimination.
The European Union and the Governments of Switzerland and Serbia recognised the potential of this idea and supported the project through the European PROGRES - Citizen Involvement Fund with almost 20,000 Euros. This allowed “Ruža” to renovate and equip the kitchen and commence with production of various winter preserves - tomato juice, pickles, ajvar and the award winning Rosehip Jam.
While initially the project planned to employ five women, it currently engages 12, mainly Roma women, single mothers, women living with disabilities and those over 50 years, which are particularly vulnerable in the job market.
The enterprise also promotes the overall local development. Slobodanka Pavlović, the President of the steering board of the Women’s Association “Ruža“ and one of the founders of the enterprise, said that this both provides for a stable local market and safe produce of the highest quality for the production line.
“Ruža” plans to expand and have already started presenting at international fairs, scoping out the market, identifying potential customers and holding presentations. Recently, they promoted their delicious range of products at Germany’s famous Munich Food and Life Trade Fair.
“Who knows what’s next? Just look what can happen in one year!” said Jagoda who, thanks to her engagement in “Ruža”, has become the sole breadwinner of a family of eight. “I never imagined that a couple of women with wooden spoons can change so much!”
Hardly will you ever experience development with the aroma of your grandmother’s kitchen, but in the small municipality of Lebane this “homemade progress” is a reality.
For the taste of traditional "Ruža“ products check out their site (http://ruzalebane.rs/) where you can order and get their products delivered.
