Upload
angel-cannon
View
219
Download
4
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Workshop on Enhancing Women’s Entrepreneurship in SEESarajevo, 1st October 2009
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Academy
Female entrepreneurship advanced in the post – communist period
Entrepreneurship as a way of life 20% SMEs (16.000) registered by women (official data)
Only 6.700 SMEs own and managed by women (real
picture) 88% micro business 10 % of small enterprises 2% of medium sized companies 0,5% of large sized business units
Non – governmental organization, actively working in the area of economic empowerment of women since 2006
Developed training program for female entrepreneurs in business management, marketing, finances, motivation and personal capacity building called “Step by step to your business”
Assisting local governments in Vojvodina in fostering women’s entrepreneurship in their communities (e.g. Business Incubator in Backi Petrovac 2009)
Model of the Academy implemented within Bihac Chamber of Commerce in 2007
Co-author of the program of guarantees of the Guarantee fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina
Initiated establishing the women’s entrepreneurship section within Serbian Chamber of Commerce in 2006
Mini five years of experience in business Higher level of education Married with two children earlier employed in state/ public company Motive for starting own business:
Better living conditions Independence and freedom
Services, retail Initial capital: savings, financial support from family members, friends Competence – key aspect when starting business Dedicated to work, min 12 hours at work Aactive search for new information Satisfied with incomes although could be more Success in business depends on work, persistence and personal involvement Successful female entrepreneur is recognized by close environment
Qualification Highly qualified women with university degree or higher education
(50% of respondents) Age
Older (39 – 49 years old) so called “new women’s entrepreneurs Younger (38 years old and younger) from families with tradition in
entrepreneurship Type of business
traditional female jobs (retail, services, booking and financial services, foreign language schools etc)
Size of business Small, low profitable business (bakery, meet processing, production
of cement, sugar stick packaging, car wash services etc.)
To earn money, to support their families
To prove their own abilities, to have independence and freedom in decision - making, in choosing collaborators,
To harmonize work and family commitments more easily
family responsibilities lack of initial capital stereotypes in attitude of local community lack of courage to enlarge existing businesses access to information on loans and other
forms of support for entrepreneurs
REGIONAL NETWORKING◦ First International Conference of Women in
Business – “Business Powered by Women”, held in Novi Sad, in June 2007
ACCESS TO FINANCING◦Guarantee fund of the Autonomous Province of
Vojvodina
CAPACITY BUILDING◦ The Women’s Entrepreneurship Academy