Although the city of Leskovac once played a significant role in Serbia’s industrialization, today it faces serious demographic and economic challenges, including depopulation, youth migration, lack of investments, and a decline in industrial activity. 

In this context, the ESIRA project, with Leskovac as one of the central hubs of its Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) location in Serbia, aims to support Leskovac and the surrounding areas in overcoming these challenges by promoting social innovation, inclusive initiatives, and sustainable rural development. Rather than relying on traditional industrial approaches, ESIRA focuses on empowering local communities through innovative socio-economic solutions that target marginalized groups, foster entrepreneurship, and strengthen rural resilience. 

On 26th June 2025, the Institute for Development and Innovation – IRI organized a regional meeting within the ESIRA project, which is being implemented in the Jablanica and Pčinja districts. The meeting brought together 20 representatives of local organizations whose shared goal is working with marginalized groups in rural communities. 

Participants were introduced to the ESIRA project, its main objectives, and the results achieved so far. Special focus was placed on expanding the partnership network, mapping partner needs and ideas, and discussing possibilities for replicating existing socio-economic initiatives within the project or launching new ones. 

The discussion centered around two major ongoing initiatives. The first involves economic empowerment of women through training programs in entrepreneurship, graphic design, and marketing. The second initiative focuses on direct engagement with farmers and encouraging the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. 

Rural Lab: Regenerative Agriculture Practices Presented to Villagers in Bošnjace 

Following the meeting in Leskovac, the Institute for Development and Innovation, in cooperation with the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pčinja districts, organized a field visit to farmers in the village of Bošnjace. The visit assessed the needs and interest in applying regenerative agriculture practices. 

Discussions with agricultural expert services confirmed the need for further education and promotion of these practices. Based on these conclusions, an educational conference is planned for autumn, aiming to support and enhance the application of sustainable agricultural methods and to share experiences from northern parts of Serbia, from Vojvodina, where these practices are already in use.