LocationsWomen Entrepreneurs are Key to Sustainable Development in the North
September 18, 2025
Regionalni biznis forum u Bijelom Polju
Women in Montenegro earn on average only 78 cents for every euro earned by men, and most women in rural areas inherit nothing from their families, leaving them without assets. Yet, an increasing number of women in the north are taking on the role of entrepreneurs and innovators, showing that this region has untapped potential.
This was highlighted at the opening of the fifth Business Forum in Bijelo Polje, organized this year by the Municipality of Bijelo Polje , and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro, and the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro.
Regional business forum in Bijelo Polje
The two-day forum brought together government representatives, mayors, business actors, the diaspora, and international partners to explore new areas of cooperation and investment for more balanced national development, with a special focus on the role of women and entrepreneurship in rural areas in the second day of the Forum.
According to UNDP research, women in the north of Montenegro face dual barriers: lack of economic resources and deeply rooted stereotypes. More than half of rural women surveyed believe men make better leaders, while half feel that women’s achievements are too often attributed to appearance rather than skills.
Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, noted that none of Montenegro’s 25 municipalities currently has a woman mayor, and that women leadership capacity remain undervalued and underrepresented:
"Behind these numbers are stories of lost potential, and stories of great opportunities – as every percentage point of progress in women economic empowerment means stronger communities, more resilient families, and a more competitive economy. Women, especially from rural areas, must be at the center of the green transition – as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators" Paniklova said.
Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro at Regional business forum in Bijelo Polje
Petar Smolović, Mayor of Bijelo Polje, emphasized that the north has resources and capacities that could drive the country’s development:
"The North of Montenegro has potential that is yet to be unlocked – from natural resources and tourist capacities, through agriculture and the food industry, to new digital and green technologies. Such gatherings help us turn these potentials into concrete projects and jobs. Bijelo Polje, as the administrative and economic center of the north, aims to be a leader in this process," Smolović said.
Petar Smolović, Mayor of Bijelo Polje at Regional business forum
The importance of joint action was also highlighted by Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro:
"The North of Montenegro has both the right and the need to develop in step with the country, and I therefore call for this year’s Bijelo Polje Business Forum to conclude with the adoption of appropriate conclusions, based on the priorities and common interests of multiple municipalities. These conclusions should be supported by northern municipalities and implemented through the relevant institutions. The Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro will be the first to do so," Drakić said.
The President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, Nina Drakić, at the Regional Business Forum in Bijelo Polje
Caroline Tissot, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, stressed the importance of supporting rural women in strengthening entrepreneurship and economic development:
"Where women succeed, communities prosper. Supporting women entrepreneurs is not charity, but a smart investment in Montenegro’s future. Therefore, the United Nations, together with its partners, places special focus on empowering women in the north to play a key role in developing their communities and strengthening the economy of the region," Tissot said.
Caroline Tissot, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro at Regional business forum in Bijelo Polje
The first day of the Forum focused on capital projects and the role of the diaspora, while the second day will focus on women and the green transition. Results of the EmpowHer project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with FAO, will also be presented, through which more than 60 women from the north of Montenegro have received training and mentorship for business development.
