The non-profit and non-governmental association Women’s Center of Užice launched the RETEX program in 2010 as an innovative center for the collection and recycling of textiles in the Zlatibor district, with the aim of employing women from vulnerable groups and improving the quality of the primary waste selection system in the local community, thus becoming a social enterprise. The fact that textiles make up 4-6% of municipal waste, and are rarely used as raw materials for recycling, motivated the enthusiastic and brave women at ŽCU to come up with a business model, within which they would employ women from the harder-to-employ category – mainly women with disabilities, women victims of domestic violence and discrimination, single mothers and women over 45 years old. The social component, in addition to the environmental one, is a pillar of the ŽCU’s activities, and social entrepreneurship is an instrument that serves for the economic empowerment of women who undergo SOS services and education of the ŽCU, as soon as systemic support is created for women victims of violence in this local community.
ŽCU produces the following products and services in the RETEX program:
1. Service for collecting and donating textiles – the services of which are used by about 280 socially vulnerable families;
2. Workshop for recycling used textiles – production of corporate gifts and souvenirs from recycled textiles (bags, bags, toiletries, children’s toys, cushions, and aprons) for socially responsible institutions, companies, and individuals. In addition, ŽCU also provides service sewing for textile companies. Products can be ordered online via: https://prodavnica.zenskicentaruzice.com
The Retex program of ŽCU achieves the basic mission of employing women from difficult-to-employ categories and women who are victims of domestic violence, thus completing the program of empowering women to get out of the circle of violence by providing conditions for economic empowerment. In addition to the social mission embodied in the strengthening of gender equality and the fight against violence against women in the community, ŽCU has a social impact in the area of environmental protection – quality waste management and recycling.
5. Gender Equality; 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10. Reduced Inequalities; 12. Responsible Consumption and Production; 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Secretariat of The Coalition for Solidarity Economy Development
This site was created with the financial support of the European Union as part of the “Dialogue on Social Entrepreneurship” project, which is implemented as part of the “Dialogue of Change” project of the Belgrade Open School. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the donors or the Belgrade Open School, and the Coalition for the Development of Solidarity Economy is solely responsible for it.