.jpg)
Ajvar, pindjur and plum jam - with the flavour of humanity
Is there anything more delicious than homemade ajvar, homemade plum jam, spicy pindjur or delicious tomato juice? And when all this is cooked on ordinary stoves in small pots with the devotion of women who make these delicacies, then the adjective "homemade" is certainly justified.
This is exactly the approach to production we can find in Lebane with Predrag Stošić and his company "Radanska ruža" (The Radan Rose) where quality is more important than quantity. This company was established with the aim to employ women who belong to marginalised groups, primarily women with disabilities and single mothers. It was also supported by The European Union through the EUPRO programme.
"Radanska ruža" is a social enterprise, and Predrag's wish was to employ those women, socialise them and give them back a dignified life they deserve.
Stošić recounts a scene that repeats itself almost every time, starting from the first employee: "When they receive their first salary, you see both smiles and tears on their faces," says Stošić. "We have given them back hope and, more importantly, dignity. Our mission and vision is to have as many such tears and as many such smiles as possible", concludes Stošić.
This company would not exist without the donation of the European Union. But, just as it is not only important to cook ajvar, but also who does it, they did not perceive the EU only as donors.
"They really were our friends and promoters, through the purchase and promotion of our products. I am infinitely grateful to them for that", states Stošić.
Stosić believes that there should be more such companies, especially in small municipalities like Lebane. A large number of citizens live there, to whom no one has given a chance so far.
"Radanska Ruža" is one of 200 companies and small family companies supported by the European Union through the EUPRO programme worth 4.3 million euros.