Fostering Young Women Entrepreneurship in Danube Region
Low levels of women entrepreneurs in the Danube Region hinder economic growth. Initiatives like "Women in Business" aim to address barriers faced by women, create training models, and develop policy support to drive female entrepreneurship. The project focuses on studying the current state, identifying gaps, organizing learning events, and creating a policy agenda for supporting young women entrepreneurs. Cross-sectoral cooperation and national strategies are crucial for sustaining efforts to promote women entrepreneurship.
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS Fostering the Young Women Entrepreneurship in the Danube Region Sandra Wei -Wallner Innovation Region Styria
LP - Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations Varna, BG PP 1 - Innovation Region Styria Ltd., AT PP 2 - Varna Free University Chernorizets Hrabar , BG PP 3 - Technology Park Varazdin Ltd., HR /member of Women Entrepreneurship Sector Group of EEN/ PP 4 - bwcon GmbH, DE PP 5 - Maribor Development Agency, SL PP 6 - Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Stajerska, SL /Regional council of business women/ PP 7 - Pannon Business Network Association, HU PP 8 - University of Pannonia, HU PP 9 - Association of SMEs of Constanta, RO PP 10 - Ovidius University of Constanta, RO PP 11 - School of Economics and Business, University of Sarajevo, BA PP 12 - Organization for SME Sector Development, MD PP 13 - Ministry of Economy, BG (ASP)
Territorial needs and challenges Low level of women entrepreneurs - women constitute 52% of the DR population but only 30% of them are self-employed and 30% of them are start-ups! Low level of viability of female start-ups only 2% of them lasts more than 42 months Low level of young women willing to start business 3.7% - 8.9%; Barriers faced by women: Contextual barriers stereotypes, male- dominated sectors, etc. Economic barriers access to finance, etc. Soft barriers classic model of entrepreneurship rather than full spectrum of possibilities TEA Indicator for project DR countries (2016-2017) Bulgaria 3.7%Bosnia and Herzegovin Slovenia 6.9% a 4.0% Germany 5.0% Croatia 8.9% Austria 8.1% Hungary 5.0% Romania 7.5%
WOMEN IN BUSINESS Outputs WP 3 Study of current state WP 4 Gaps and opportunities O.4.1. Database of Good Practices for fostering YWE O4.2. Learning events organized in 6 countries - 6 O.3.1 Transnational Study on Current State O.4.4. Training models for fostering YWE - 3 O.4.3. Transnational Task Group Meetings 3 WP 5 EU policy support WP 6 Creation of EWCs O.5.1. Policy Agenda for YWE Support in EU legislation - 1 O.5.2. Transnational stakeholder group meetings - 8 O.6.1. Concept for EWCs - 1 O.6.2. Transnational pilot actions to test EWCs - 2 O.5.3. International Policy Event - 1 O.6.3. Transnational workshops - 3 O.6.4. Transnational Strategy for Sustainability -
Good practices/ Learning Events 4 EWCs Trans- national Study Training Models/ Pilot Actions Policy Agenda TSHM Advisory Board Policy Analysis
Policy Analysis Young women entrepreneurs are complex in nature and need the cross-sectoral cooperation on different governance levels. For effective and efficient cross-sectoral cooperation, a governmental group should be set up to foster women entrepreneurship. National strategy on women entrepreneurship is needed in order to ensure the continuity of activities designed to support and promote women entrepreneurs. Fostering entrepreneurship education among young people, especially young women is essential. Involving women entrepreneurs in supporting other women to become entrepreneurs. (i.e. funding, mentoring, consulting etc.)
Policy Agenda Government policy to promote female entrepreneurship and leadership in the economy Strategy to harmonise the business environment with the family environment to support and relieve women in caring for children, elderly parents, family life and recreational activities Policies in support of financial instruments for YWE A strong network of mentors and support organisations Establishment of EWCs and services taking into account the specific characteristics of young women
Recommendations Government policy to promote female entrepreneurship and leadership in the economy Young women entrepreneurs working group Young women entrepreneurs action plan data collection/evidence base raising awareness Tackling stereotypes encourage equal rights Creating specific programmes
Recommendations Strategy to harmonise the business environment with the family environment to support and relieve women in caring for children, elderly parents, family life and recreational activities women in employment vs. female entrepreneurship social security Childcare facilities rethink gender roles Involvement of men Action plan
Recommendations Policies in support of financial instruments for YWE appropriate access to financial instruments financial models by national/regional programmes microfinance instruments good practice pilot programme Women in Business from Moldova instruments for smaller companies
Recommendations Strong network of mentors and support organisations fostering networks and encouragement co-operation and partnerships organisation of network-events access to technical, scientific and business networks Austrian good practice mentoring programme of Female Founders Global Austria Digitalisation SMEs digitalisation training programme from Moldova
Recommendations Establishment of EWCs and services taking into account the specific characteristics of young women tailor-made business advice (training, mentoring and networking) Pilot phase first results --- more interaction-personal contact Support for establishment of WEs Community Support for organizing of combined events for WEs for networking within the activities of the EWCs Establishment of a Network of EWCs with common database/ platform for exchange
Thank you for your attention! Contact us: Contact us: Ralitsa Zhekova, Executive Director zhekova@rapiv.org Claudia Krobath, Executive Director claudia.krobath@irstyria.com Mariya Zlateva, Project Coordinator petkova@rapiv.org RAPIV Sandra Wei -Wallner, Project Manager office@irstyria.com Innovation Region Styria
