As part of the [[nt]]WOMEX – The Role of Women in the Competitiveness of Exporting SMEs[[/nt]] project, which is being implemented through the [[nt]]Interreg Europe[[/nt]] program, the fourth Interregional Policy Learning Event (IPLE) [[nt]](Interregional Policy Learning Event – IPLE)[[/nt]] was held on October 21 and 22, 2026, in the Basque Country (Spain).
The event was attended on behalf of the Regional Development Agency for Economic Development and European Integration of Belgrade (RAREI Belgrade) by Sonja Manojlović, a member of the [[nt]]WOMEX[[/nt]] project team, while the City of Belgrade was represented by Zorica Nikolić and Jelena Stević, as representatives of the stakeholders involved in the project's implementation.
The two-day program, organized in Bilbao and Aretxabaleta, was dedicated to exchanging experiences and best practices in supporting women's entrepreneurship, strengthening female leadership, and improving women's participation in international business.
On the first day, in Bilbao, approaches to integrating a gender perspective into Basque public policies were presented, particularly in the areas of industry and internationalization. Participants had the opportunity to learn about national best practices from Spain and Ireland, as well as to participate in a workshop dedicated to gender-responsive internationalization. The program also included the [[nt]]B-WOMENIN Global Business Gathering 2026[[/nt]], with a focus on talent, leadership, and internationalization.
On the second day, in Aretxabaleta, the experiences of the [[nt]]MONDRAGON[[/nt]] corporation and industrial cooperatives in applying gender equality principles in business were presented. Special attention was paid to the role of organizations that support female leadership, entrepreneurship, and the professional development of women in the Basque Country. A meeting of the [[nt]]WOMEX[[/nt]] project Steering Committee was also held, where project activities and next steps were discussed.
Participation in this event enabled representatives of RAREI Belgrade and the City of Belgrade to learn about European experiences and models for supporting women in business, which can be useful for improving local public policies.
The knowledge gained and the best practices presented are also significant for the development process of Belgrade City Employment Program with an action plan for the 2027–2029 period, which represents a public policy instrument that RAREI Belgrade, together with partners and stakeholders, is working to improve within the framework of the [[nt]]WOMEX[[/nt]].
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