The DIGITAL Z-WOMEN project aimed to empower young women born between 1995 and 2010, as well as VET professionals/mentors who work with them, through an innovative learning journey that facilitates their transition to digital entrepreneurship. Our goal was to promote gender diversity in the field of digital entrepreneurship by inspiring women to pursue their individual aspirations and goals. The aim is to enable entrepreneurs to overcome traditional gender biases and forge their own paths to success. 18 female digital entrepreneurs from Generation Z have been identified who could serve as role models and inspire others to pursue digital entrepreneurship (R1). The training program (R2) offers a practical and engaging educational experience to assist young women and VET mentors/professionals in comprehending the fundamentals of digital entrepreneurship, encompassing various types of digital businesses and their development, thereby enabling them to strategise their own digital enterprises. This is achieved by enhancing the capacity of teams for entrepreneurship through effective mentoring and facilitation of training on the topic, with a focus on Gen-Z women. R3 organises the learning journey into interactive learning.
Generation Z, born after 1995, represents more than 30% of the population in Europe and is one of the generations most affected by the covid19 crisis. Gen Z is commonly referred to as the "igeneration" because they were born and grew up almost entirely immersed in digital technologies. They are also more likely to value independence and are therefore poised to become the most entrepreneurial generation. Developing digital and entrepreneurial skills is what they really need. The fact is that knowing how to use digital technologies and being ready for a digital business doesn't necessarily mean knowing how to do it well, intentionally and with an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset. This can be even more challenging for young girls and women, who tend to face additional gender disadvantages. Encouraging Gen-Z women towards digital entrepreneurship can be an effective contribution to changing this scenario. The DIGITAL Z-WOMEN project aimed to do this by providing Gen-Z women with advanced and meaningful VET learning opportunities, targeting advanced digital literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship skills to thrive as digital entrepreneurs and subsequently improve their work and living prospects and conditions.