Promoting Women's Innovation and Creativity in the Market
DMWC is committed to sustaining women's entrepreneurship by leveraging their manual skills, including women from vulnerable categories. In an era dominated by automation, finding innovative products and services with a touch of exclusivity is increasingly challenging. To address this, our association “Dobredojde” Macedonia Welcome Centre continues to support women's entrepreneurship in 2023 and 2024 through various activities to enhance women's skills and knowledge in business development, technology, and leadership. These efforts also spotlight successful women entrepreneurs and innovators as role models to inspire future generations.
Project Activities
“Dobredojde” Macedonia Welcome Centre is implementing a range of workshops, seminars, and mentoring programs designed to equip women with fundamental skills and knowledge, fostering their success in business, technology, and leadership roles. The project involves approximately 60 women from Kumanovo, Strumica, Skopje, and Bitola. These participants will undergo training in sewing, knitting, and creating attractive fashion pieces. Additionally, 40 women with existing products will receive training on branding and making their products more competitive in the fashion market. The direct beneficiaries of this project are 100 women, while the indirect beneficiaries include their families and the wider community.
In the project's final phase, a sales bazaar will be held, encouraging participants to present and sell their handicrafts. This event will enhance the initiative's visibility, promoting greater involvement of women in their businesses. The project will culminate in a fashion show featuring models created by women under the mentorship of fashion designer Irina Tosheva. This event will be supported by women from the diplomatic corps and leading women in public life.
Horizontal Issues of the Project
Horizontal Issues of the Project
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Tourism Integration: Strengthening links with the tourism sector can contribute to the profitability and sustainability of craft production.
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Poverty Reduction: The handicraft industry can serve as a poverty reduction tool by enhancing the participation of disadvantaged women in the labor market. Women from difficult backgrounds are encouraged to create a community where they can be productive and express their creativity through handicraft work.
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Eco-Perspective: Emphasizing the use of recycled materials in handmade products.
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Community Development:
It is contributing to the overall development of communities by fostering a culture of artisanship. This involves building a sense of community among women artisans, creating networks, and establishing shared spaces for collaboration. -
Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality by advocating for equal opportunities and recognition for women in the handicraft sector. This includes challenging gender stereotypes, addressing barriers to entry, and ensuring fair compensation for women's work.
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Multicultural Aspects: Creating an inclusive and collaborative environment that maximizes the strengths of diverse team members and fosters a culture of respect and appreciation for diversity.
Through these comprehensive efforts, “Dobredojde” Macedonia Welcome Centre aims to empower women, foster innovation, and promote sustainability in the market.
MENTHORS
Welcome to our artisanal workshops! Our Mentors are a group of successful and innovative artisans excited to share their knowledge and skills with the next generation of makers. They have proven themselves as leaders in the industry, and their support and guidance will inspire you to unleash your inner artist. Whether you’re exploring a new craft or seeking to advance your skills, we invite you to join us and discover what you are capable of creating.
Emilija Miladinova Avramcheva
Emilija Miladinova Avramcheva serves as the President of the “Dobredojde” Macedonia Welcome Centre, an organization devoted to cultural diplomacy and the promotion of Macedonian cultural heritage, history, and traditions. Under her leadership, the organization has successfully implemented numerous projects focusing on ecology and the environment, charitable activities, green culture in art, sustainable agriculture, fashion, and the innovation and creativity of women.
With unwavering passion and enthusiasm, Emilija has dedicated the past two years to a project centered on women's entrepreneurship, receiving significant support from the Slovenian Embassy. She aims to empower women by teaching them manual skills and guiding them in starting their businesses. She strongly emphasizes reviving traditional crafts and inspiring young people to appreciate and preserve their heritage. Emilija's guiding principle is to deeply understand the essence of each project, ensuring its success and sustainability.
The project targets 100 women, with indirect beneficiaries including their families and the broader community. These women will be equipped to compete in the labor market through comprehensive training in manual skills, market branding seminars, and effective social media use. The project also prioritizes an eco-conscious approach by using recycled raw materials in handmade products, promotes gender equality, and includes women from vulnerable backgrounds. Furthermore, it celebrates multiculturalism.
The project will culminate in two major events organized by the DMWC: "In the Rhythm of Macedonian Traditional Crafts and Creations." The first is a fashion show on October 25, 2024, showcasing finished designs supported by women from the diplomatic corps during Skopje Fashion Week. The second is a Bazaar on December 14, 2024, where the products created throughout the project will be available for sale.
Irina Tosheva
We emphasize the importance of reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable fashion practices by utilizing textile waste from local factories and designers. The project equips women with valuable crafts and instills a sense of environmental responsibility by incorporating upcycled materials into their creations. Through our workshops, we educate participants on the environmental benefits of recycling and reusing fabrics, contributing to a greener future. By repurposing textile waste, we aim to reduce the fashion industry's carbon footprint and promote a circular economy within our community. Our seminars on brand management empower women to launch their businesses with a strong foundation in sustainable practices, contributing to long-term economic and environmental benefits. Using upcycled fabrics minimizes waste and supports local industries, creating a symbiotic relationship between our project and the community.
Olga Anatoly Selivon
The Spectacular World of MATRYOSHKA emerged from my inspiration as a mother. During my first pregnancy, I created various items for my child—knitted and sewn pieces of clothing and toys. But the real magic happened during my second pregnancy when the name of my brand, MATRYOSHKA, was born.
To me, the word Matryoshka is not just a Russian word meaning 'wooden dolls,' but also a symbol of harmony and ideas intertwined with different techniques, Russian spirit, and various materials, creating a unique brand. When I became the mother of a child with Down syndrome, I seriously considered turning my hobby into a legitimate business, and I did so at the beginning of 2018. Since then, I have been making items to develop fine motor skills and cognitive abilities. My creativity found its expression in sewing educational toys and dolls for children, where my ideas became limitless.
Last year, I was part of the project "Sewing Your Own Business," where I learned to make adjustments in sketches and create the model I envisioned. There, I made my first skirt from start to finish. This year, I participated in my first workshop, "Enhancing Knitting Skills," where, as a mentor, I introduced my students to the first steps in creating a knitted toy.
If I could do it, so can you.
Ivana Angova
Preserving National Traditions through Craftsmanship - Ivana Angova, MAMA LOVES CROCHET
Passing down crafts from generation to generation is key to preserving a nation's traditions. Over the past two years, I've had the privilege of working on a project dedicated to this mission. I've been teaching knitting to women involved in the project, and it's been amazing to see how much interest it's sparked, especially among younger people. These workshops aren't just about learning to knit—they're also a great way for participants to express their creativity. Many even get inspired to start their own businesses, improving their financial situation and contributing to the community.
The participants don't just learn in the workshops; they also get to take part in a bazaar. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to show off their creations and interact directly with customers. In our digital age, it's more important than ever to keep manual skills alive to preserve our traditions and folklore. This project is about more than just financial empowerment for women; it's about keeping our cultural heritage vibrant and alive.
Katerina Tosheva
Katerina Tosheva is a Fashion and Textile Product Designer, founder of Fashion Studio LE-TE, with many years of experience and numerous successfully realized projects in the fields of costume design, prototyping and innovations, brand design orders, technical support and control in production, consultations, and training.
TODAY - Fashion and Textile Product Designer at "Fashion Studio LE-TE", Product Designer at "BRUMMELL", Modeler and Technician at "BELLA", 3D Designer at "Virtuality.Fashion", Mentor Educator at Scala.
This time, I accepted the call to repeat the project "Sewing Your Own Business" with motivation because the first project we worked on dedicatedly and with great enthusiasm concluded with multiple success stories that inspired participants to start their businesses, use the acquired skills for more successful self-promotion and sales. The entire project was conducted with mutual dedication and positive camaraderie.
Sofija Janeva
I am a dedicated marketing professional with a degree in Business Administration, focusing on marketing. Currently, I work at Niko Media, a dynamic marketing agency where I help businesses amplify their brand presence and achieve their growth goals.
Beyond my role at Niko Media, I am a passionate social media influencer with a thriving community of over 30,000 followers. I use my platform to share valuable insights and strategies, helping other businesses leverage the power of social media to enhance their visibility and engagement.
My commitment to knowledge sharing and business growth extends to offering personalized guidance and support, empowering entrepreneurs and brands to reach their full potential. Whether it's through innovative marketing campaigns or hands-on coaching, I am dedicated to making a positive impact in the business world.