The main objective of this project was to empower YW in entrepreneurship, equipping them with the necessary skills, confidence, and network to become active change agents in their communities. The project’s activities were designed to address the key barriers that are limiting YWs’ participation in entrepreneurship such as fear of failure, lack of role models, and restricted access to tailored support. Through the current project, we wanted to provide training, coaching, mentoring, and consultancy in order to help YW to develop and implement their entrepreneurial or community projects. Also, we aimed to create a strong and supportive network of YW entrepreneurs in order to enhance collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and peer support. Another key objective of the project was to raise awareness about YW entrepreneurship as a viable career path and a driver for social change, achieved through a large-scale communication campaign meant to inspire and inform YW about the available opportunities, and advocating for inclusivity and gender equality in entrepreneurship. By implementing the project, we contributed to the EU priorities on youth and women’s entrepreneurship, self-employment, and active citizenship.
The idea of this project started from the systemic barriers that young women (YW) face when it comes to entrepreneurship, career development, and professional growth. A consistent part of the partners’ team is composed of women, who have experienced, in one way or another, these kinds of constraints over time, namely limited access to resources, mentorship, or a supportive ecosystem. Furthermore, our previous experience in working with YW showed us that they are facing challenges like mental barriers, lack of role models, or cultural expectations that discourage alternative career paths outside of traditional employment. This project was designed to bring awareness to entrepreneurship as a viable career choice, provide a structured system, and empower YW to take control of their professional journey. It aimed to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship, by fostering an inclusive and digitally transformative approach, in alignment with EU priorities. The project directly addressed the underrepresentation of women in business, as reflected in EU reports, and supported YW in overcoming self-doubt, fear of failure, and low-risk tolerance.