The program focused on promoting gender equality by addressing the entrepreneurship gender gap and improving access to funding through strategic reward-based crowdfunding campaigns. Our goal was to nurture independence in accordance with permaculture principles, facilitating the accumulation of financial wealth for women entrepreneurs running or starting regenerative businesses or community projects. The initiative equipped women entrepreneurs with regenerative business and financial knowledge, empowering them to operate independently and effectively while building financial wealth for themselves and future generations. The program provided essential (digital) skills in crowdfunding and entrepreneurship and initiated peer support and learning groups for women entrepreneurs. Conducting a collaborative retreat in Greece and piloting a cohort-based online course were instrumental in the creation of a self-paced 12-week online program offered in three languages. Additionally, these initiatives played a crucial role in nurturing a supportive women's network.
The initiative was undertaken to empower women entrepreneurs in the regenerative and community sectors, addressing their need for regenerative business and financial knowledge. The goal is to foster inclusion and independence in line with permaculture principles and facilitate the building of financial wealth. The project seamlessly aligns with the European pact for gender equality (2011–2020), recognizing it as fundamental for the EU's growth. It embraces multiple objectives: networking knowledge bearers, merging regenerative business with sustainable financial strategies, and translating these into practical steps for women-led businesses. Regenerative finance, acknowledging impaired natural systems, promotes holistic, systemic business approaches. Crowdfunding, viewed as a democratizing force, especially benefits women by providing a low-threshold, cost-effective means to test ideas, acquire digital skills, build networks, and gain capital and reputation. This resonates with the EU’s Digital Education and Action Plan and contributes significantly to DigComp 2.2.AT competence areas 2 and 3.