Women-led impact businesses in the Western Balkans are emerging as powerful drivers of inclusive and sustainable development. This brief examines the barriers they face and identifies concrete steps to better recognise, support, and scale their contribution to the region’s economies and societies.

This policy brief draws on research and collaborative learning from a Community of Practices in 2025, involving five CSOs: Partners Albania for Change and Development (from Albania), Žene za Žene International (from Bosnia and Herzegovina), She ERA and NGO Lady (from Kosovo) and Pulse Balkans (from Serbia). Activities included three online workshops and a learning expedition to Berlin to engage with actors in­volved in impact entrepreneurship.

These exchanges were held under the theme: “Women Entrepreneurs for Inclusive Societies & Social Impact in the Western Balkans” implemented by EmpowHer(France) and supported by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Ville de Paris.