The RE-FEM Project Webinar was held on the 18th of February titled „Women entrepreneurship, resilience, education and support”. This webinar brought together researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across Europe to explore the challenges and opportunities in women’s entrepreneurship. The event was divided into two key parts, it kicked off with the presentations of the RE-FEM project results and was followed by panel discussions on bridging research with practice and strengthening support systems for women entrepreneurs.
The first part of the webinar began with an overview of the RE-FEM project, presented by Katalin Oborni (HÉTFA Research Institute, coordinator of the RE-FEM project, Hungary), outlining its objectives and main activities. This was followed by the presentation of our project research called Women Entrepreneurs in Turbulent Times which contains the results of a Cross European Sociological Research presented by Orsolya Gergely (Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Romania). The study examined key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, such as financial instability, work-life balance, and limited professional networks. To stay competitive, many entrepreneurs quickly adopted digital solutions, sought alternative funding, and formed new partnerships. However, the study highlighted persistent gaps in mentorship, professional networks, and financial support, which continue to hinder business growth. These findings reinforce the need for targeted initiatives that equip women entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. The study is available on our webisite, under the “Results” menu.
Next, the RE-FEM Training Manual was introduced as a practical guide for trainers, mentors, and educators, offering structured modules and best practices in business development, finance, digital transformation, and resilience. Developed based on research findings and pilot testing, the manual serves as a comprehensive resource to support those working with women entrepreneurs. It is available in multiple languages and can be accessed via this link.
Part one concluded with a presentation of the RE-FEM Online Course, an interactive learning tool consisting of five modules covering digital transformation and digital readiness, access to finance and innovation, servitization and innovation, sustainability in times of crisis, and personal resilience, well-being, and gender implications of being a woman entrepreneur. The course is designed to equip women entrepreneurs with essential skills and will soon be available in multiple languages, ensuring greater accessibility. The English version is already available and can be explored via this link. Trainees’ feedback is highly valued to enhance the course’s effectiveness, and those who have completed it are encouraged to share their insights by filling out the evaluation form.
Moving into the second part of the webinar, the focus shifted to two panel discussions that explored how research can be translated into practical support for women entrepreneurs and how sustainable support structures can be developed. Experts from academia, policymaking, and business shared their insights on the challenges women entrepreneurs face and the strategies needed to address them. The discussions emphasized the importance of accessibility, mentorship, policy interventions, and international collaboration in fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The first panel, “Bridging Research and Practice in Women’s Entrepreneurship,” was moderated by Orsolya Gergely and focused on how research findings can be translated into actionable insights that benefit women entrepreneurs. Panellists Dr. Man Yang (Hanken School of Economics, Finland) and Dr. Eva-Lena Lundgren-Henriksson (Hanken School of Economics, Finland) discussed the challenges of applying research findings in a way that reflects the diverse realities of women entrepreneurs. They emphasized that differences in industry, geography, and socio-economic context make it difficult to develop one-size-fits-all solutions. The discussion underscored the need for accessible and actionable research, advocating for multiple dissemination channels and clear, non-academic language to ensure that the findings reach practitioners.
Panellists also highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and business practitioners in ensuring that studies address real-world challenges. They pointed to digitalization as a critical tool for increasing the accessibility of research, calling for more online platforms and interactive methods for sharing findings. Emerging research trends were also delved into, including topics such as sustainability, digital transformation, STEM participation, social and cultural influences, and crisis adaptation. While research should serve the interests of women entrepreneurs, panellists stressed its broader role in shaping policies and support structures that anticipate future challenges.
The second panel, “Strengthening Support Systems for Women Entrepreneurs,” was moderated by Ann-Sofi Backgren (CEO at Brand-Sofi, Finland) and focused on strategies to create sustainable and inclusive support structures. Panellists Ivana Radić (Entrepreneur, President of the International Network of Business Women, Croatia) and Alexandra Telepčáková (Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, Slovakia) emphasized the need for affordable and accessible mentorship, financial support, and training programs. Ivana Radić highlighted successful initiatives in Croatia that provide guidance and networking opportunities for women starting businesses. She noted that many women entrepreneurs struggle with self-confidence and benefit greatly from structured mentorship and peer support networks.
From a policy perspective, Alexandra Telepčáková discussed initiatives in Slovakia aimed at enhancing women’s participation in entrepreneurship through measures such as flexible working arrangements, childcare support, and targeted training programs. She emphasized the importance of long-term strategies and societal shifts to better integrate women into leadership roles and business development. Both panellists stressed that women’s entrepreneurship should not be addressed in isolation—involving men in the conversation is crucial to fostering an inclusive and supportive business environment.
We thank all the panellists for sharing their expertise and insights, providing valuable perspectives on the challenges women entrepreneurs face and the strategies needed to enhance their resilience, access to resources, and long-term success.
We also appreciate the participants and speakers for contributing to the discussions on women’s entrepreneurship, resilience, and support systems.
For those who wish to revisit the session, the recording is available on YouTube through this link.
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