Paper
Good Practices in the Promotion of Female Entrepreneurship - Examples from Europe and Other OECD Countries
How can effective support be provided to women entrepreneurs?
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110 pages
This document provides an overview of specific actions and support measures adopted by national administrations in the member states of the European Union (EU) in order to promote female entrepreneurship. It:
- Focuses particularly on the fields of start-up, funding, training, mentoring, information, advice and consultancy, and networking;
- Presents selected cases of good practice in the promotion of female entrepreneurship from Europe and other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries;
- Gives examples of a broad range of actions for female entrepreneurs, such as the:
- Establishment of specific institutions,
- Implementation of targeted support services and programs,
- Creation of electronic platforms,
- Organization of specific events.
The paper states that:
- It is important to make women aware of the possibilities they have and to assist them in establishing the necessary business contacts;
- Women have a different approach in running a business than men;
- Gender awareness is essential in designing and delivering support measures for female entrepreneurs.
The paper concludes by listing the following critical success factors supporting good practices in the promotion of female entrepreneurship:
- Agencies should use female mentors and trainers to increase the relevance of measures for women and to provide role models;
- Measures should be devised for both groups and individuals;
- Measures supporting enterprise start-ups should focus on sectors that can provide women with an adequate income;
- Training should be flexible.
