EU is With You – Better Together

Based on the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights, the European Union offers already many opportunities to Serbia, its citizens and businesses. These opportunities can best be shared through real human inspiring stories of individuals that have managed to fulfil their dreams thanks to the support of the EU.

The campaign is a trilogy of stories entitled „The EU is with You“ presenting real success stories of citizens of Serbia, relying on the main motives of the collective spirit – paternal strength, powerful women, and the archetype of children and heritage. The story of opportunities continues during the EU Week of Opportunities, that will take place in Belgrade, Niš, and Novi Sad from June 21 to 26. This five-day event with more than 120 interactive sessions will provide an occasion for the citizens in Serbia to explore concrete opportunities in various fields such as business, education, youth, sports, culture, civil society, media, local development, agriculture, and many others.

The first story of opportunities is the story of the “Živković family bee farm” from Biskuplje near Veliko Gradište where we discover the importance of fostering a family business, and how the main drivers that lead to success are courage, work, self-confidence, connection to the land, and care for tradition and heritage. With strong personal motives and the support of the European Union for the construction of the API chamber, the Živković family, which have been engaged in beekeeping for three generations, continue to nurture and foster their family business by providing modern API therapy, important for health prevention and strengthening of the immune system. The Živković family business proudly continues with active engagement of their youngest member.

The second story shared by Snežana Kočanović from Kragujevac represents a path to success coloured by the motives of love, individualism, strength, persistence and faith. Although she is a healthcare worker by education, Snežana has turned her hobby in making clothes into a children’s fashion brand that has achieved success in Serbia as well as outside its borders. From a mother’s desire to sew beautiful clothes for her baby, with the help of the EU, she turned her maiden’s room into a clothing production centre for children’s clothing named „Heli handmade“.

Ksenija Albunović from Hajdukovo has shared her motives for professional advancement rooted in the family values and love between father and daughter as well as on actively participating in their business from an early age. Ksenija recognised the importance of unity and family heritage, and thanks to the funds received from the EU, she has turned her father’s dream of producing crackers into reality and refined the „Granum food“ product line.

Through these success stories, we learn about the importance of dedication, persistence, and faith, but also the importance of constantly improving one’s own abilities. Furthermore, the EU IS WITH YOU campaign testifies how the European Union support and improves the lives of the citizens of Serbia who want to start-up or develop and improve their businesses and realise their dreams and opportunities.