In the period from 21 to 23 April 2026 in Pecs (Hungary), [[nt]] Interregional Policy Learning Event (IPLE) [[/nt]] was successfully held within the project WOMEX — The role of women in the competitiveness of export-oriented SMEs.
In front of the Regional Agency for Development and European Integration Belgrade (RAREI), the event was attended by Sonja Manojlović and Miloš Milovanović, members of the WOMEX project team, together with representatives of the City of Belgrade Mirjana Bogdanovic and Nina Rakić, as key stakeholders of the project.
The event brought together partners from several European countries, representatives of institutions and members of regional stakeholder groups, with the aim of exchanging knowledge, experiences and improving policies to support women in export-oriented SMEs.
During the event, the focus was on presenting the results of research on gender aspects in exports, as well as on the joint evaluation of regional studies on gender inequalities in export-oriented SMEs, with the participation of relevant actors and experts for data analysis, thus laying the foundations for the development of a comparative study.
Within the framework of the program, a workshop based on comparative analysis [[nt]] (Comparative Analysis Workshop) [[/nt]] was realized, during which the participants, divided into three working groups, analyzed key aspects of the position of women in export-oriented SMEs through a structured discussion. The focus was on organisational structure and gender representation in management, key skills and barriers to career development (including the “glass ceiling”), as well as measures to promote gender equality, leadership, access to decision-making positions and professional development.
A special segment of the program was devoted to the impact of women's leadership on industrial development, through the presentation of historical and contemporary examples, as well as the organization of the round table “Women in Leadership — Life and Career Paths in the Business World”, at which the participants discussed professional experiences, challenges and opportunities for career development of women in the business environment.
This event represents a significant step towards improving interregional cooperation and developing concrete recommendations to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs through greater involvement of women in exports and international business.
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