RE-FEM’s comprehensive online training materials have been developed by the RE-FEM Consortium to empower women entrepreneurs, trainers and educators with practical knowledge and skills. The course is designed to help participants elevate their businesses by addressing key areas such as digitalization, innovation, finance, crisis management and more. Structured into five modules, the curriculum provides targeted insights and tools that women business owners can apply to overcome today’s dynamic market challenges and foster sustainable growth. After the kick-off of the English RE-FEM Online Course in February, the course’s modules are now available in 8 additional languages; Bulgarian, Finnish, Romanian, Slovakian, Spanish, Swedish, Serbian and Hungarian.
Module 1, titled Digital Transformation and Digital Readiness is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with the crucial digital skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. This module covers a wide range of topics, including digital marketing fundamentals such as website optimization, email marketing, SEO, content and video marketing, and influencer outreach. It also offers tailored guidance on building a strong and effective social media presence specifically for female-led businesses across major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. In addition to marketing strategies, the module emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity by introducing essential principles to help entrepreneurs safeguard their businesses against common threats such as phishing and malware. It explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, demonstrating practical ways AI can automate routine tasks, improve marketing efforts, generate engaging content, and boost overall operational efficiency. Through this comprehensive training, participants will gain the confidence and tools to embrace digital transformation, protect their ventures, and leverage innovative technologies for sustained business growth.
Module 2, Access to Finance and Innovation, empowers women entrepreneurs with crucial skills to manage finances effectively and secure funding for business growth. The module covers key topics such as understanding legal and financial documents, evaluating company performance through financial ratios, assessing creditworthiness, and mastering the art of pitching to investors. In addition to financial management, the module focuses on fostering innovation by guiding participants through developing and implementing strategic innovation plans. With practical tools like SWOT analysis and the INNOVATE self-assessment method, women entrepreneurs learn to identify opportunities and challenges, strengthening their capacity to innovate and sustain long-term success.
Module 3 explores the topic of Servitization and Innovation, focusing on helping women entrepreneurs understand how to transform their business models from product-centric to service-centric approaches. The module introduces the concept of servitization as a way to add value through services, improve customer retention, and build competitive advantage. It also highlights the role of digital technologies in enhancing servitization. Beyond servitization, the module delves deeply into the multifaceted world of innovation, examining its various forms—from incremental improvements to disruptive breakthroughs—that drive business transformation. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating a culture of creativity and resilience within enterprises, equipping women entrepreneurs with practical strategies to foster innovative thinking. Participants are guided through the entire innovation journey, including idea generation, evaluation, prototyping, commercialization, and scaling. The module also highlights the value of collaborative approaches such as open innovation and hackathons, which enable businesses to tap into external expertise and accelerate problem-solving.
Module 4 focuses on Sustainability in Times of Crisis, providing women entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge to develop sustainable business strategies that integrate economic, social, and environmental objectives. The module highlights the importance of building business resilience, enabling companies to adapt, recover, and thrive amid challenges such as economic downturns and global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants explore how to create and implement effective sustainability plans, manage risks, and adopt circular economy principles that reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency. The module also underscores the vital role of women leaders in championing sustainable transformation, supported by real-world case studies that illustrate how sustainability initiatives contribute to competitive advantage, investor appeal, and long-term business success.
Module 5 discusses Gender Implications of Entrepreneurship and Personal Resilience and Well-being. This module explores the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face due to gender-specific barriers such as limited access to resources, societal expectations, and the double burden of work and caregiving responsibilities. It also highlights how understanding and addressing gender equality can unlock new business opportunities and foster inclusive growth. In addition, the module delves into the crucial role of resilience and well-being for entrepreneurial success. It offers practical tools and strategies to build mental and emotional strength, manage stress, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. By developing resilience, women entrepreneurs can better navigate challenges, sustain their motivation, and achieve long-term personal and professional fulfilment.
On our website, participants can access and download all training materials for each module provided in PDF format, including both document and presentation types.
At the end of every module, there is a self-assessment test designed to help learners evaluate their understanding of the respective training material. Upon successful completion of the test, participants will receive a digital certificate in English.
Explore the full range of course materials at: https://refem.eu/refem-online-course/.