President of Ethno Network awarded by TIAW

Violeta Jovanovic, President of Ethno Network Managing Board and NALED Executive Director was awarded by The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) with the World of Difference Award in 2013 for which she was nominated by the US Embassy in Serbia in recognition of her contributions to entrepreneurship in Serbia. Violeta was awarded because of her extraordinary work establishing and running Ethno Network of Serbia. The award was delivered to her by the Deputy Chief of Mission Gordon Duguid at the ceremony in the US Embassy in Belgrade.

Since its establishment in 2005 Ethno Network has grown into the most significant employer of women in rural areas developing them into skilled artisans that preserve the traditional heritage by producing marketable hand-made items and business gifts. Ms. Jovanovic is the only recipient of TIAW award in the region and DCM Duguid said in his address that the people of Serbia, especially its women like Violeta, make the future of Serbia.

„More than a 1.000 women benefited from Ethno Network activities and created a source of income, improved their skills and gained the self-confidence and recognition by their families, local communities and media for their work. Ethno Network is a story on women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas that helped many women gain their first employment or make it to retirement. It is also a story on promotion of Serbia based on valuing and preserving its cultural identity” said Violeta and extended sincere thanks to USAID, US Embassy and other donors, partners and organizations that supported Ethno Network. In her closing remarks, she was hopeful that the next big event will be to mark Ethno Network’s tenth anniversary by opening a long-sought ethno gallery in the downtown Belgrade in Knez Mihailova.

TIAW is a US based NGO acting at the global level towards economic empowerment and progress among women all over the world. TIAW includes more than 35.000 women from both developed and developing countries.

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