FROM TRADITIONAL STITCHES TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
FROM TRADITIONAL STITCHES TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
Empowering women, preserving heritage and creating sustainable livelihoods in Montenegro's mountain communities.
Traditional embroidery is more than a craft. It carries stories, preserves cultural identity and can open doors to new economic opportunities for rural women.
Through the Mountain Connect: Balkan Mountain Forum project, two inspiring workshops brought women artisans together in Berane, Montenegro, on 13 August and 16 September 2026, turning traditional skills into ideas for sustainable entrepreneurship.
From craftsmanship to a shared identity: The first workshop introduced Gorski Vez (Mountain Stitches), a common brand concept connecting traditional Montenegrin embroidery with contemporary handmade products, including bags, accessories and souvenirs.
From creativity to economic opportunity: The second workshop explored how these products could become part of a sustainable business model, focusing on fair remuneration, quality, transparent cooperation and access to markets.
Organised by our project partner, the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije (RDA BKP), the workshops represent important steps towards transforming traditional knowledge into new opportunities for women and their communities.
Because when women thrive, mountain communities grow stronger — and traditions find a future.
Through Mountain Connect, we continue building bridges between cultural heritage, women's entrepreneurship and sustainable mountain development across the Western Balkans.
The Grant for Grassroot Initiatives is co-funded by the Western Balkans Fund and the European Union, as part of the WBF–EU Joint Action.
#WesternBalkansFund #MountainConnect #BalkanMountainForum #WomenEmpowerment #RuralWomen #CulturalHeritage #WomenEntrepreneurs #SustainableLivelihoods #WesternBalkans
