The World of Women’s Entrepreneurship – When Sharing Experiences Creates Change

Being a woman entrepreneur today means balancing many challenges—from invisible labour at home and at work, to entering male-dominated industries, which is often difficult, and the need to keep up with the digital world. This is why, within the RE-FEM project, we created a space where women entrepreneurs, policy makers, and experts could exchange experiences, inspire each other, and search for solutions together. We organised World Café events in all partner countries.

What Did We Discuss?

Participants discussed five main topics, each addressing a significant challenge women face in entrepreneurship:

• How does invisible labour affect women in business?
• What barriers do women face in technical fields or in rural areas?
• How can digitalisation and artificial intelligence help—or hinder—women’s businesses?
• What needs to change in education to prepare women (and others) for entrepreneurship?
• Why is it often harder for women to access funding, and what can we do about it?

Where We Started and Where We Are Going?

A common theme across all discussions was the need for a more human-centred approach and collaboration. Entrepreneurs and experts emphasised the lack of connection between government support, expert advice, and the real-life situations of women entrepreneurs. Whether it’s returning to work after maternity leave, the need for simpler grant systems, or just the desire not to be alone in the journey, each of these women is looking for meaningful support, not complicated forms.

 

Specific Suggestions Mentioned:

➡️ Simplifying access to information so women know where to turn when they want to start a business.

➡️ Supporting mentorship and role models so entrepreneurs can be inspired by those who have already walked the path.

➡️ Digitalisation with caution—not everything needs to move online, especially when there is a lack of support and training.

➡️ Changes in education—children should already understand money, entrepreneurship, and the courage to try new things.

➡️ Recognising “invisible women’s labour,” which often hinders their development but is still underappreciated by society.

➡️ Establishing foundations to support entrepreneurship through education and financing, without bureaucratic burdens.

Why Is This Important?

The opportunity to openly discuss, share real problems, and propose solutions was refreshing for many participants. Several left with new contacts, ideas, and most importantly, the feeling that they are not alone on their journey. As a next step, policy recommendations will be formulated at the partnership level, drawing on insights from all participating countries. These recommendations will be based directly on the outcomes of the World Café discussions and will reflect the real needs and challenges shared by participants. We will further share them with relevant stakeholders and decision-makers, with the aim of contributing to meaningful change in the business environment – particularly in support of women entrepreneurs.

 

Women entrepreneurs shape our economy, innovate, connect people, and change society. But they often face obstacles that are not publicly discussed. The World Café showed that when women support each other, listen, and collaborate, concrete proposals for change arise—not just on paper, but directly from life.