The project objectives have been designed to address the economic and social disadvantage of women in the field of entrepreneurship. The general objective was to reduce the economic and social disadvantage of women through entrepreneurship, which was in line with the broader objectives of promoting inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities and, further afield, supporting overall well-being and employment, economic growth, and sustainability. The first step was to understand the current situation in both Estonia and Romania, identify the needs of women entrepreneurs, and determine the challenges they face. The specific objectives of this project were the following: to identify the main barriers women face in (international) entrepreneurship and in setting up their own businesses and to propose solutions to overcome the main obstacles and barriers they face in entrepreneurship; to create opportunities for networking, mentoring and training tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs; to promote cooperation and networking between Estonian and Romanian women entrepreneurs; to learn from the experience of the partners in the project and to implement measures to achieve the objectives in the cooperation between the two countries.
This project promoted cooperation between Estonia and Romania and its aim was to provide comprehensive, tailored support for women entrepreneurs. By fostering skills development, knowledge sharing, and networking, it aligns with EU and OECD recommendations and supports the Sustainable Development Goals. The innovative approach focuses on inclusivity and collaboration, unlocking women's potential and contributing to long-term economic growth and sustainability. The experience so far has shown that female entrepreneurs operate differently from men. They tend to be less confident, often prioritize their children and families over entrepreneurship, and frequently choose to support their families and partners rather than focus on their own ambitions. We understood that women require a completely different support system for starting and developing their businesses. Women tend to need a community to surround them and their way of making decisions differs from men. Women benefit from an environment where they can safely discuss, share, and open up before making decisions. It was important to explore what female entrepreneurs truly need to succeed, identify the specific obstacles and challenges they face.