Project SCALE-UP

Non-financial support plays a vital role in empowering women entrepreneurs, providing the skills, networks, and guidance needed to grow their businesses. Research has shown that traditional business training programs often yield limited results for women entrepreneurs, as they tend to focus too narrowly on technical aspects like accounting or marketing. However, when training is combined with socio-emotional skill-building, peer support, and tailored mentorship, the impact can be significant. For example, allowing women to bring a peer or mentor to training can boost their confidence and lead to more ambitious business goals. Studies have shown that women who participate in training with a peer are more likely to seek loans and expand their businesses. This form of networking and emotional support helps overcome the social barriers that often hinder women from fully engaging in business environments dominated by men. Moreover, women entrepreneurs need better access to digital tools and networks. Many successful programs now focus on creating virtual business training opportunities, which have expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. These online platforms offer women flexibility and accessibility, especially in regions where in-person support is difficult to access. Statistics reveal that women-owned businesses make up only 28% of global enterprises, and they continue to face major barriers in access to credit and growth opportunities. By providing mentoring, networking, and socio-emotional support, we can significantly narrow this gap. #ScaleUp #ProjectScaleUp #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #socialentrepreneurship #womenentrepreneurs #women #entrepreneurship Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services Image source: https://lnkd.in/eJ9_MBx

Resilience is the key for navigating obstacles and adapting to new market realities. Research shows that traits like optimism and resourcefulness are key to entrepreneurial success, and resilient women have been able to pivot their businesses, embrace new opportunities, and even outpace some male entrepreneurs in sectors like rural tourism and healthcare. Resilience has become a cornerstone of success for women entrepreneurs, especially in times of uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed women-owned businesses to disproportionate challenges. For example, women were 50% more likely than men to close their businesses in North America and Europe during the pandemic due to additional responsibilities such as childcare and a higher representation in severely affected sectors. Despite these setbacks, women entrepreneurs displayed remarkable resilience. In fact, 30.2% of female entrepreneurs surveyed in 2020 expected to hire at least six employees within five years, compared to 18.7% in 2019, showing significant optimism for future growth. To further support this resilience, policymakers need to address gender gaps in finance and family support, ensuring that women entrepreneurs have equal opportunities to thrive. For more on this topic, explore reports by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (at https://lnkd.in/eqJPKHS) and the Journal of Entrepreneurship andBusiness Resilience (at https://lnkd.in/dAwYzuDm). #ProjectScaleUp #ScaleUp #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #womenentrepreneurs #women #socialentrepreneurship #Entrepreneurship Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services Image source: https://lnkd.in/dSpNU5R5

Are women and innovation compatible? Innovations play a transformative role in advancing women's entrepreneurship. With digital technologies and other forms of innovation, female entrepreneurs are now better equipped to overcome traditional barriers, such as limited access to funding and market reach. For example, research shows that women are more likely to adopt digital technologies in their businesses, which allows them to scale operations, improve efficiency, and compete in global markets. Digital platforms have been particularly empowering, enabling women to access new customer bases and enhance business models at a lower cost Moreover, the gender gap in obtaining patents—a key indicator of innovation—is slowly narrowing. Although women are still underrepresented among patentees, their presence in innovation is increasing, which can lead to higher growth and sustainability in their businesses Globally, about 252 million women are engaged in entrepreneurial activities, and those who embrace innovation, especially in technology-driven sectors, are more likely to succeed. For instance, women-led businesses in the tech industry have shown better survival rates and performance compared to those in traditional sectors By promoting innovation and digital inclusion, we can further accelerate the growth of women’s entrepreneurship, fostering both economic empowerment and gender equality. #ProjectScaleUp #ScaleUp #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #women #womenentrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #socialentrepreneurship Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services

Women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in advancing the bioeconomy, an area focused on sustainable biological resources to create products, jobs, and economic growth. While women are underrepresented in many entrepreneurial fields, their contributions to the bioeconomy are growing and can significantly drive innovation, especially in sectors like agriculture, waste management, and renewable energy. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), around 30% of entrepreneurs worldwide are women, but barriers such as limited access to resources and technology still hinder many from fully contributing. In the bioeconomy, women are often engaged in agricultural innovation, sustainable practices, and environmental projects, which directly contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs) like climate action and responsible consumption. In Europe, female entrepreneurs are increasingly contributing to the bioeconomy. For example, women-led startups are making strides in sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly packaging, and renewable energy sectors. Globally, women are also key players in areas like biotechnology, where their innovations contribute to sustainable practices and the development of bio-based products. Closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship could lead to substantial economic growth. For example, research shows that increasing female entrepreneurship rates to match men's could add up to $5 trillion to the global economy. Moreover, women entrepreneurs in the bioeconomy often bring unique perspectives focused on sustainability and community-based innovation, which are critical for addressing environmental challenges. To learn more about the gender gap and entrepreneurship trends, refer to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's Women's Entrepreneurship Report and data from the World Bank's We-Data Project, which highlights how women are making inroads in bio-based industries and beyond: https://lnkd.in/e35Xenht https://lnkd.in/eBGJYzzE #ProjectScaleUp #ScaleUp #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #womenentrepreneurs #Women #socialentrepreneurship #entrepreneurship Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services

What is Social Economy? In simple terms: https://lnkd.in/gatAXfig #ScaleUp #ProjectScaleUp #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #women #SocialEconomy #womenentrepreneurs #socialentrepreneurship#entrepreneurship Camera di Commercio e Industria Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services

Women entrepreneurs often face various challenges like: · Difficulties in accessing funding · Bias and Stereotypes · Limited access to networks, guidance, and mentorship opportunities · Work-life Balance. · Scarcity of visible female entrepreneurs across different sectors · Cultural and Social Norms Read more below: https://lnkd.in/g8RwBGu Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #scaleup #ProjectScaleUp #socialentrepreneurship #women #entrepreneurship

What is the Social Economy and what is its place in Europe? Find out below: https://lnkd.in/dkg2SSPm #ProjectScaleUp #ScaleUp #erasmusplusproject #ErasmusPlus #erasmus #europeanproject #socialeconomy #socialentrepreneurship #entrepreneurship #women Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute 311 Verona DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services

We are currently in the process of translating the training material designed for aspiring entrepreneurs in the social economy in Spanish, Italian, French, Greek and Lithuanian. The training material focuses on: 1. Social Economy. The PROMISE framework: Tensions, Trade-Offs, and Impact 2. Next-Generation Strategies for Sustainability: Technology and Innovation 3. Life-centered business models. Testing sustainability value proposition and sustainability compass development 4. Finance your startup 5. Sustainability system and negotiation skills 6. Storytelling: the role of storytelling in business and sustainable storytelling The material will be freely accessible in the following weeks via our project platform! Follow us on our website: https://lnkd.in/dVNM-XKd #ProjectScaleUp #scaleup #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanproject #socialeconomy #womenentrepreneurs #women #entrepeneruship Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute Fondazione Edulife ETS DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services

📢 “Women have the power to turbocharge the sputtering global economy,” - Indermit Gill, World Bank Chief Economist 📊 🌐 The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, published on June 11, highlights that overall progress for women has slowed, although employment rates have increased. 👉 🌍 This report is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous countries' efforts towards closing gender gaps since its inception in 2006. It reveals that women's participation in the labor force across the 101 countries tracked has surged over the past 18 years, rising from 63.5% to 65.7% in 2023. 🔗 📰 You can learn more about this issue through this interesting article from the World Economic Forum: https://lnkd.in/ePbWKtf9 🔗 📰 Additionally, you can access the full report and explore valuable data via the link below: https://lnkd.in/eXBZggDC Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute Fondazione Edulife ETS DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services #scaleup #ProjectScaleUp #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #Erasmus #europeanprojects #femaleentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurship #women #womenentrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmindset #business #gender #GenderEquality #social #socialentrepreneurship #socialenterprises #socialbusiness #funding #finance

🎭 Zeynep Yıldırım and Ömer Faruk Yıldırım, a talented actor couple, encountered the WOMEN-UP project, which enabled them to hire a new team member and meet Arife Palamut, a business graduate! 💡 They initially established a small company and theatre but had to shut them down during the pandemic. Undeterred, they decided to try again post-pandemic and have now reopened a small business and the Aydın Children’s Theatre. 🇹🇷🤝🇪🇺 The WOMEN-UP Project, co-funded by the EU with €25 million, aims to support 4,000 employed women and 4,000 women entrepreneurs across the provinces of Ankara, Istanbul, Samsun, Aydın, Denizli, Şanlıurfa, and Kahramanmaraş. 📢 Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Head of the European Union Delegation to Türkiye, states: “Empowering women isn’t just about gender equality; it’s about building stronger societies, fostering peace, and driving economic growth. For years, the EU has supported female entrepreneurs and employees in Türkiye through various projects. Together, we help to create conditions for women to realise their potential. We have had the pleasure of being a partner in many success stories, and now, with WOMEN-UP, we are witnessing new ones.” 👉 📰 Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/dMHcdksn #ProjectScaleUp #scaleup #erasmus #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #europeanprojects #women #womenentrepreneurs #socialeconomy Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Spagna The Hive Accelerator CBE - GEIE Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education European Social Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies Institute Fondazione Edulife ETS DomSpain - Educational and Technological Services