When participating in a workshop of the Regional Programme, Melinda Tomić approached us with a lovely surprise: a gift basket from her beekeeping project Ruke Sajana. Melinda is an Alumni of the Social Innovation & Management Programme and worked on that social enterprise as her course project. We were so excited about this success, that we could not resist to ask for the full story behind it. Read it below!
Ruke Sajana began as a small pilot project initiated by Kolping Society Serbia, with the aim of providing income-generating opportunities for women in rural communities. The name Ruke Sajana is Serbian for “The Hands of Sajan”. Sajan is a small village in Serbia that is known for its beekeeping.
“The hands” represent the hands of the local women who through their work preserve tradition, produce high-quality products, and directly contribute to the preservation of the ecosystem.
In 2024, Ruke Sajana produced over 2.5 tons of honey, as well as a variety of other products, including lavender tea, natural cosmetics, and propolis. The enterprise also cultivates a field of lavender, further expanding its products while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Further, 1.000 trees were planted for the bees on 2.5 hectares of land owned by Kolping Serbia.
The heart of Ruke Sajana remains its mission to empower women in rural areas. Women in the Sajan village can earn a steady income while contributing to the local economy. As a result, they gain financial independence and have a meaningful impact on their community.
A key factor in the growth and success of Ruke Sajana has been the participation of its director, Melinda Tomić, in the Social Innovation and Management Programme (SIMPro). This programme provided her with invaluable tools and knowledge to understand and manage the entire process—from developing the initial idea and writing the project proposal to launching a product on the market and achieving successful sales. The programme helped the social enterprise turn its vision into a concrete business model, in order to achieve its ultimate goal of empowering women and of strengthening rural communities in Serbia.
A particularly valuable part of SIMPro were the one-on-one mentoring sessions, where participants had the opportunity to discuss their ideas with a range of professionals and experts. These mentoring sessions provided concrete guidance and practical support from experts on how to run a successful business, helping participants to overcome specific challenges and capitalize on opportunities. This mentorship enabled Ruke Sajana to refine its strategy, develop its product offering and ensure its sustainability in the market.
Pictures by Igor Ripak Photography