The WISE Serbia mentorship program, aimed at empowering women in sustainable energy and climate action, has successfully concluded after six months of collaboration. The initiative, supported by German development cooperation GIZ, focused on building trust and leadership skills among participants.
Fourteen women participated in the program, paired into mentor-mentee relationships. Seven seasoned professionals from the energy and environmental sectors shared their expertise with seven emerging leaders in the industry. Notable mentor-mentee pairs included Maja Adamović from Elektromreža Srbije mentoring Jelena Perović at Deloitte, and Ivona Milić from Raiffeisen Bank mentoring Marija Rošulj from ProCredit Bank.
The program culminated in a closing event in Belgrade, hosted by Kinstellar, a prominent law firm recognized for its work in energy and infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe. Radovan Grbović, a partner at Kinstellar, emphasized the importance of support and representation of women in the green energy sector during his address to participants.
Nataša Vukmirović, a professional mentorship coach, reported that the program met its objectives. Participants built strong relationships and expressed interest in pursuing similar initiatives in the future. According to Vukmirović, the program fostered meaningful exchanges of experience and knowledge, proving that mentorship can facilitate professional growth in sustainable energy.
Mentees shared their experiences, highlighting the personal development that mentorship offered. Marija Rošulj noted that her time with Ivona Milić motivated her to become a mentor herself, emphasizing the importance of life experiences in addition to professional guidance. Ana Minić, who was paired with Svetlana Cerović, acknowledged the program’s role in enhancing her emotional intelligence and communication skills.
Mentors also reflected on their experiences, finding value in the reciprocal learning process. Ankica Barbulov, who mentored Milica Vujošević, stated that discussing her own career path helped her identify the elements contributing to her success. Similarly, Aleksandra Lukić found that her differing background as a mechanical engineer compared to her mentee Bojana Petrović Raičević, a lawyer, enriched their discussions about career and life values.
Maja Adamović highlighted the progress of women’s networks in the energy sector, pointing to the establishment of the Women in Energy section within CIGRE Serbia as an example of increased female engagement in the industry. Maja Turković, who also served as a mentor, worked with her mentee Marina Arsenijević on aligning her career aspirations with market trends, setting clear objectives for professional development.
Each mentor expressed satisfaction with their participation, emphasizing the program’s role in building a supportive community of women in sustainable energy. The WISE Serbia mentorship program not only strengthened participants’ skills but also contributed to a collaborative network aimed at promoting a sustainable and equitable future in the energy sector.
