Women Inclusion through Innovative Social Entrepreneurship practices

51% (229 million) of the European population are women citizens (Eurostat, 2020), with the employment rate reaching 67.3% (women aged 20-64). Women's economic independence, high earning potential, participation in economic decision-making and equal access to education are among the fundamental values that the Union promotes and supports. In addition, other key actions should be encouraged to combat discrimination on the basis of sex, and structural inequalities and gender-based violence. Adult women continue to face limited access to information (how to get started), access to social and financial capital and technology to succeed, as well as deep-rooted perceptions of a gender related entrepreneurial glass ceiling. The challenges faced by adult women who want to learn about entrepreneurial practices and eventually pursue a career in this field are common barriers that prevent women from entering the entrepreneurial ecosystem which are lack of training, age discrimination, insufficient networks and perceptions of women.

The main objective is to develop and deliver a training program to address some of the major challenges faced by adult women who are interested in becoming familiarized with entrepreneurial practices and eventually pursue a career in the field. The specific objectives of the WINNER project implemented by the partnership were to: develop entrepreneurial and digital skills, using people-oriented innovative practices and guidance; inspire women and trigger their interest in pursuing entrepreneurial careers, irrespective of their age and background; develop an e-learning platform for inclusive and participatory entrepreneurial training; establish a strong network of successful female entrepreneurs and women interested in social entrepreneurship; create a flexible mentoring program that will educate both mentors and female trainees; cultivate feelings of self-confidence, active participation, entrepreneurial mentality, creativity, and civic engagement; create a safe online environment built on inclusion, diversity, equality, and stability; provide opportunities for higher employability through digital skills training and networking; deliver an open educational curriculum based on OER and promote it.

As part of the WINNER project, we implemented the following activities: - Project management and implementation activities: management, monitoring and evaluation of project results and activities with monthly online meetings of the Steering Committee and 3 transnational meetings. A kick-off meeting in Strasbourg, a transnational meeting in Turin and a transnational final project meeting in Valencia. As well as the implementation and monitoring of the evaluation and quality assurance plan, communication plan and dissemination of results and project sustainability plan. - Open call for women participants and creation of the WINNER platform https://winnerproject.eu/ - Creation of social entrepreneurial training program curriculum and 6 e-learning modules, test and online training for women learners and mentors. - Creation of a mentor guideline – Module 7. - Realization of 7 Hackathons and a transnational event of the winners. - Realization of 7 local multiplying dissemination events. - Translation of the content of the platform, deliverables, communication and dissemination tools in English, French, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Spanish and Bulgarian.

The concrete achievements have made it possible to develop 4 tangible results: PR1-WINNER online platform and the launch of the open call; PR2 - Development of an online curriculum on social entrepreneurship; PR3- Development of training guidelines for mentors and the selection of mentors; PR4 - Hackathon for women in social entrepreneurship. As well as communication and dissemination tools: 6 newsletters, social networks, and campaigns. (Verified link - Moïse) Intangible results: the women who participated in the project were inspired and motivated to actively pursue careers as social entrepreneurs; well-established women entrepreneurs in various fields have been trained as mentors; a sustainable transnational community of women interested in entrepreneurship and women entrepreneurs has been formed, strengthening women's capacity, active participation, equality and inclusion; the acquisition and development of 14 skills facilitating social entrepreneurship. Project partners gained additional experience in the implementation of transnational projects and management practices as well as in women's entrepreneurship and mentoring.