Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

The Danube Region, characterized by long-term unemployment, income disparities, and a significant gender financing gap, faces a multitude of socio-economic challenges. IMPACTA addresses these through entrepreneurial approach, centered on gender equality, economic empowerment, and the integration of vulnerable groups into the labor market, particularly focusing on women entrepreneurs and business angels in socially innovative sectors. In Central Eastern Europe, especially in Eastern Europe the social innovation sector deals with challenges like scarce funding, restrictive regulations, limited market access, and a competitive talent landscape. Despite cultural resistance to new models, the region's social innovation shows promise, driven by entrepreneurial spirit, NGO support, and growing government and investor interest. Effective collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and non-profits is crucial but often complicated by differing goals and lack of a cooperative culture. In the Danube Region it is important to strengthen civil society and the development of networks and partnerships essential for social innovation.The ecosystem for supporting entrepreneurship and social innovation, including incubators, accelerators, mentorship networks, and knowledge platforms, is often underdeveloped compared to Western counterparts. Our objective is not just to provide immediate support but to motivate a shift in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially in the social innovation sector, promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and transnational cooperation. Based on the OECD Report on Women’s Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, women's participation in social entrepreneurship is relatively high, indicating that supporting these initiatives could further close the gender gap in entrepreneurship. The IMPACTA project aims to integrate vulnerable groups into the labor market, with a particular emphasis on regions with high proportions of disadvantaged populations 1) young women, 2) rural women, 3) undereducated women, 7) minorities, 8) refugees in 7 countries including HU, BG, SRB, UA, MLD, GE, and HR. Targeting women from vulnerable backgrounds, the project adopts an entrepreneurial approach to address the challenges they face. Secondly, for retaining skilled labor and developing a more sustainable migration of educated people the project targets three main groups for economic empowerment and improving the position of women on the labor market (1) “mompreneurs”, 2) women in their silver ages, 3) late stage career changers and those changing careers after having children. The project also aims to empower and promote women entrepreneurs and business angels focused on social innovation within the Danube Region. The partnership consists of 8 PPs from 7 different EU and non-EU countries.Our partnership involves organizations who are dedicated to empower women entrepreneurs, investors, integrating vulnerable groups into the labour market and promote social innovations. The consortium comprises NGOs, Research Institutes, SMEs fostering a cross-sectoral collaboration to contribute to the objectives of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), particularly those related to Policy Area 9. Under SO1, we conduct strategic reviews and analyses to leverage knowledge for decision-making, focusing on local dynamics. This includes diagnostic reviews, policy analysis, and benchmarking, supported by International Innovation HUBs development for training and collaborative learning (Toolkit Resource Center, O2.6). We engage stakeholders, form support networks, and facilitate workshops to enhance local capacity by Toolkits (O1.2). In SO2, we address identified challenges through pilot interventions (O.2.1-2.5), targeting vulnerable groups and young women entrepreneurs with programs for entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. SO3 focuses on creating a scalable model (O3.1) with a Transnational Strategy (O3.2) for the Danube Region and Local Action Plan (O3.3) building on post-pilot evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and replication strategies to spread project knowledge. We aim to integrate disadvantaged groups through coordinated policies driven by the Advocacy Agenda (O1.1), planning, and joint strategies, enhancing inclusive employment and fostering cross-border collaboration. A transnational approach is essential to address common challenges. By collaborating across borders, sharing best practices, and leveraging collective resources, the project aims to create a more cohesive and supportive ecosystem. The IMPACTA project stands out for its innovative approach to empowering women entrepreneurs and business angels through participatory methods, social innovations, and digital transformation.

Expected Achievements (EN):

Resp PP: HÉTFA. The project initiates with a Strategic Diagnostic Review (D1.1.1) to assess the needs and competency gaps of women in business and the labor market, leading to tailored reports. A comparative analysis (D1.1.2) then evaluates the social and environmental hurdles they face, crafting a Gender-sensitive Policy and Advocacy Agenda for economic empowerment. Benchmarking analysis (D1.1.3) gathers best practices for guiding effective strategies. To synergize local development insights, D 1.2.1 involves the development of comprehensive training materials and methodologies, conducting workshops(D 1.2.2), and creating toolkits ( D 1.2.3) for experts and practitioners. It aims to build a cooperative framework for stakeholder collaboration, focusing on capacity-building and strategic policy development for supporting women's entrepreneurship and inclusion.Collaboration will take place at two levels: local via the local Support Groups and international (Action Group Network). Resp PP: WBA. The SO2 of the IMPACTA project involves the pilot testing of the programme with different components aimed at supporting women business actors and disadvantaged groups through promoting entrepreneurship focused on social innovation topics. These pilots, coordinated by the Action Group Network, focus on digital tools, training, mentorship, and establishing Women Entrepreneurship Offices. They target vulnerable groups, emphasizing access to finance, skill development, and gender-smart investing. The aim is to validate and refine support structures, fostering economic empowerment and social innovation. Results will inform a scalable, adaptable model for wider replication, enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women. Resp PP: AFAM. By developing a replicable model PPs will synthesize learnings and outcomes from pilot actions to create adaptable local solutions that can be implemented beyond the initial project scope. The development of a methodology for comparative analysis, preparation, and facilitation of workshops, and interviews to gather insights from the pilot phase are crucial steps. The focus is placed on enhancing the capacities of decision making authorities and field experts by the Action Plan and Transformation Agenda. A comprehensive approach to awareness involves joint guidelines on stakeholder engagement. The activities are designed to boost collaboration at the pilot implementation for the replication of project knowledge. This is supported by a Joint Strategy for adaptation. A Conference on conclusion serves as a platform for sharing insights, reflecting on the project's impact, and catalyzing collaborative actions.

Project outputs: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)(EN)
Rural Women Empowerment: Pilot Evaluation and Insights(EN)
Handbook for Jointly developed and implemented Training programme for women entrepreneurs and investors(EN)
Handbook for Mentorship Programs for both (business angels and women entrepreneurs) groups (pilot)(EN)
Handbook for Woman Entrepreneurship Offices (HUB or Point)(EN)
Model for replicating adaptable solutions
(EN)
Joint Strategy for adaptation(EN)
Action Plans(EN)

Thematic information

Social inclusion and equal opportunities SME and entrepreneurship Knowledge and technology transfer

Priority: (VI-B_D_3) Priority 3 - A more social Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO4.1. Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 135 Measures to promote access to employment of long-term unemployed

Partners (8)

Lead Partner: Nők/Üzlet/Angyalok Egyesület

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU18299621

Address: Vöröstorony, 1025 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.wbusinessangels.com/en/

Total budget: EUR 256 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 205 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 51 300.00

Громадська організація (ГО) «Бюро розвитку, інновацій та технологій»

Name: Громадська організація (ГО) «Бюро розвитку, інновацій та технологій»

Partner’s ID if not PIC: reg no 37952815

Address: Mykytynetska, 76002 Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://gobrit.org.ua

Total budget: EUR 133 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 106 560.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 640.00

TUM International GmbH

Name: TUM International GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE258703626

Address: Freddie-Mercury, 80797 München, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.tum-international.com

Total budget: EUR 200 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 160 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 000.00

Udruženje poslovnih žena Srbije

Name: Udruženje poslovnih žena Srbije

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 100045186

Address: Volgina, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://poslovnezene.org.rs/

Total budget: EUR 182 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 145 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 400.00

Tehnološki park Varaždin

Name: Tehnološki park Varaždin

Partner’s ID if not PIC: National ID 1811502859

Address: Zagrebačka , 42000 Varaždin, Croatia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.techpark.hr

Total budget: EUR 145 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 116 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 100.00

HÉTFA Kutatóintézet és Elemző Központ

Name: HÉTFA Kutatóintézet és Elemző Központ

Department: International Cooperation

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU11687335

Address: Október 6., 1051 Budapest, Hungary

Department address: Október 6., 1051 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://hetfa.eu/

Total budget: EUR 116 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 92 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 23 200.00

Asociația Femeilor Antreprenoare din Moldova

Name: Asociația Femeilor Antreprenoare din Moldova

Partner’s ID if not PIC: Other identifier: 1013620005657

Address: Colina Pușkin, MD-2001 Chisinau, Moldova

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.afam.md

Total budget: EUR 200 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 160 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 000.00

Регионална агенция за предприемачество и иновации - Варна

Name: Регионална агенция за предприемачество и иновации - Варна

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG103792060

Address: prof. Asen Zlatarov, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Total budget: EUR 206 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 164 960.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 41 240.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Non-Governmental Organization “Bureau of Research, Innovations and Technologies”

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

TUM International

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

Association of Business Women in Serbia

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

Technological park of Varaždin

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

HETFA Research Institute Organisation

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

Association of Women Entrepreneurs from Moldova

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations - Varna

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Partners and Projects info

Women/Business/Angels Association

Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

Project acronym: IMPACTA

Project ID: DRP0301176

Project start date: 2025-04-01

Project end date: 2028-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

WOMEN IN BUSINESS (EN) | Women in Business was a project (2018-2021) focusing on young women entrepreneurs in the Danube region. Public and private organisations and universities from 9 Danube Region countries were in the consortium, and their specific thematic background and solid knowledge and expertise helped finding a response to certain specific needs of young women entrepreneurs. IMPACTA can benefit from the outcomes and resources of the Women in Business project in several ways. Firstly, IMPACTA can leverage the comprehensive mapping and evaluation of needs and barriers faced by young women entrepreneurs in the Danube region, as well as the analysis of existing policy measures and legislative frameworks. This information can inform the design and implementation of IMPACTA's support programs and initiatives tailored to the specific needs of young women entrepreneurs. Additionally, IMPACTA can draw on the developed Policy Agenda and innovative training models from the Women in Business project to enhance its own capacity-building efforts and policy advocacy initiatives. Furthermore, IMPACTA can collaborate with the established Women Entrepreneurship Centers (EWCs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania to extend its reach and impact in supporting young women entrepreneurs across the Danube region. Lastly, the Good Practices Database developed by the Women in Business project can serve as a valuable resource for IMPACTA in identifying and implementing effective practices and approaches for fostering young women entrepreneurship within its own initiatives and programs.
https://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/women-in-business
(EN), FEMINA (EN) |
IMPACTA can benefit from the FEMINA project in various ways to strengthen its support for women entrepreneurs in high-tech sectors. By gaining insights into policy measures implemented by FEMINA partners, IMPACTA can adapt similar strategies to promote gender equality and female participation in high-tech entrepreneurship. FEMINA's strategic focus on including female participation as a fundamental principle of SME competitiveness aligns with IMPACTA's goals, allowing it to prioritize support for women entrepreneurs in high-tech sectors. Leveraging FEMINA's action plans, IMPACTA can guide its own implementation efforts, driving positive changes that benefit SMEs and the region by increasing female participation in high-tech entrepreneurship, employment, and leadership roles. Collaborating with FEMINA partners enables IMPACTA to foster interregional cooperation, exchange best practices, and coordinate efforts to support women entrepreneurs in high-tech sectors across the Danube region, enhancing its impact and reach in promoting gender equality and women's participation in high-tech entrepreneurship.
https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/femina/
(EN), RE-FEM (EN) |
RE-FEM – ‘Upskilling pathways for REsiliency in the post-Covid era for FEMale Entrepreneurs’ is an Erasmus+ project aiming to empower women entrepreneurs, through need-based training for maintaining resilient businesses in the post-covid era. The project also wants to serve the needs of the trainers and mentors in business support and entrepreneurship working in the field of adult education by providing easily accessible, high quality and transformative training tools. However the project's target area is not limited to the Danube Region, it includes five countries that are located in the Danube Region. As part of the project, an online Open Education Platform is developed with available training materials (for Woen Entrepreneurs and entors) in 5 modules, topics: Digital transformation and digital readiness, Access to innovation, finance and local/international market, Servitization and innovation, Sustainability in times of crisis, Personal resilience, well-being and gender implications of being a woman.
https://refem.eu/
(EN), ifempower (EN) | ifempower is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, with 9 partners from 7 European countries, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania (Transylvania) and it aimed to empower females to get engaged in self-employment and entrepreneurship especially in SMEs. ifempower gathered partners from two pillars of the knowledge triangle, namely businesses, business support organizations and universities and made important efforts to engage the government sector to channel in the results of the project. Involvement of the civil sphere has been assured through ASPs. IMPACTA can leverage the findings and resources developed by ifempower to further empower women entrepreneurs within the Danube region. By utilizing the preparatory research insights on the role of females in European SMEs, IMPACTA can tailor its support programs to address specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Incorporating ifempower's training modules and mentorship programs into its activities, IMPACTA can provide hands-on training, guidance, and networking opportunities to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Offering personal consultancy services similar to those launched by ifempower, IMPACTA can provide tailored guidance and advice to address the specific needs of women entrepreneurs. By leveraging ifempower's online support toolkit, IMPACTA can offer practical resources and best practices to support women entrepreneurs on their entrepreneurial journey, ultimately contributing to the economic and social development of the Danube region.
https://ifempower.eu/
(EN), Women Business Angels for Europe's Entrepreneurs (EN) |
The Women Business Angels for Europe's Entrepreneurs (WA4E) project aimed to increase the number of women Business Angels by 10% and generate investments in start-ups across Europe. IMPACTA can learn from WA4E's networking, training, and mentoring approaches to support women entrepreneurs and business angels in the Danube region. By adapting successful strategies such as access to early finance and professionalizing female angel investment, IMPACTA can enhance its efforts to empower women-led businesses in the region. Additionally, analyzing WA4E's country-specific approaches can help tailor initiatives to the unique context of the Danube region, facilitating the growth of women entrepreneurship in the area.
https://www.businessangelseurope.com/wa4e
(EN), WEgate (EN) |
In order to support women who would like to start or expand their business, the European Commission created in 2016 an on-line, Europe-wide platform called WEgate12. This platform served as a hub for connecting women entrepreneurs with local, national and European support organizations, thus facilitating their access to mentoring and business networks across Europe. IMPACTA can make use of the resources and networking opportunities provided by WEgate to support women entrepreneurs within the Danube region. With an online platform, IMPACTA can connect women entrepreneurs with local, national, and European support organizations, facilitating access to mentoring, business networks, and financing opportunities. Additionally, WEgate offered information, such as where to get help and access to finance or business networks, as well as training, learning opportunities and mentoring programmes.. Furthermore, IMPACTA can draw inspiration from the case studies and success stories featured on WEgate to motivate and inspire women entrepreneurs within the Danube region.
https://www.wegate.eu/
(EN), WOMENTURE (EN) |
Womenture project fosters innovation agencies and accelerators to expand their ecosystem by generating new joint services and activities to boost female entrepreneurship in response to a Horizon Europe call. There are four partners in the consortium: DEX IC (Czech), SpinLab (Germany), Tehnopol (Estonia) and Design Terminal (Hungary). IMPACTA can leverage Womenture's expertise and network to enhance its support for women entrepreneurs. By collaborating with Womenture partners, IMPACTA can gain insights into effective strategies for empowering women entrepreneurs and boosting innovation capacity. Additionally, IMPACTA can expand its network and engage with new stakeholders, including innovation agencies and accelerators from different regions. Through joint activities and capacity-building initiatives, IMPACTA can refine its programs and services to better meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. By promoting collaboration, sharing resources, and increasing visibility, IMPACTA and Womenture can work together to create more inclusive and efficient innovation ecosystems across Europe.
https://womenture.eu/
(EN), BeAngels (EN) |
In Belgium, BeAngels, established practical actions, such as an angel academy training programme, promoting angel activity in business clubs attended by women, showcasing role models and testimonies, which resulted in an increase in the number of women investors. , IMPACTA can increase the number of women investors within the Danube region. Leveraging BeAngels' approach of showcasing role models and testimonies can inspire and motivate women to participate in investment activities. By adopting these strategies, IMPACTA can contribute to the growth of female investors and enhance the overall ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in the region.
https://www.beangels.eu/en
(EN), Women Leadership Programme (EN) |
To empower women in innovation and technology, the European Innovation Council (EIC) has introduced the Women Leadership Programme (WLP), a skills enhancement and networking initiative. Open to female researchers and entrepreneurs within the EIC Community, Women TechEU, and those supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), this program offers selected participants tailored trainings, networking opportunities, and access to personalized mentorship and business-coaching schemes. The European Innovation Gender and Diversity Index call is one of several measures implemented by the EIC to promote gender equality and diversity in innovation. IMPACTA can leverage the European Innovation Council's Women Leadership Programme to provide targeted skills enhancement, networking opportunities, and mentorship schemes for women researchers and entrepreneurs in the Danube region, thereby fostering gender equality and diversity in innovation and technology.
https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/business-acceleration-services/eic-women-leadership-programme_en
(EN), The European Community of Women Business Angels and women entrepreneurs (EN) |
The goal of this initiative – funded by the European Parliament – is to support women entrepreneurs in accessing alternative sources of funding. It will do so by raising the awareness of business angels, training women who would like to become business angels and helping women entrepreneurs to present their business ideas to potential investors. The network was created in 2017, by means of 4 projects covering 14 EU countries. IMPACTA can leverage the resources and network of the European Community of Women Business Angels and women entrepreneurs to provide additional support and opportunities for women entrepreneurs (i.e.: raise awareness among business angels, offer training for aspiring women business angels, and help women entrepreneurs in presenting their business ideas to potential investors).
(EN), The European network to promote women's entrepreneurship (WES) (EN) |
The WES is a policy network with members from 31 European nations (the EU countries, Iceland, Norway, and Turkey). The delegates represent national governments and institutions. They are responsible for promoting and supporting female entrepreneurship at national level. WES members provide advice, support, information, and contacts regarding existing support measures for female entrepreneurs. They also help identify good practices. IMPACTA could access valuable advice, support, information, and contacts related to existing support measures for female entrepreneurs and also benefit from WES's identification and dissemination of good practices in promoting and supporting female entrepreneurship, enhancing its own efforts to empower women entrepreneurs across different regions.
(EN), The European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors (EN) |
The network was inaugurated in 2009. It is made up of around 270 entrepreneurs from 22 European countries. The aim of the ambassadors is to act as role models by telling their story to raise awareness and encourage entrepreneurship as a career option for women of all ages. Many of the ambassadors have gone beyond this, having also become actively involved in supporting the establishment of new businesses. The Network has been very successful and exceeded its objectives in terms of events organised and audience reached. Over 650 national meetings have been organised, reaching more than 61 000 would-be women entrepreneurs. The ambassadors have supported the creation of more than 250 new women-led enterprises and created 22 networking and business support clubs for women.
(EN), The European Network of Mentors for Women Entrepreneurs (EN) |
The European Network of Mentors for Women Entrepreneurs was inaugurated in 2011. Seventeen European countries belong to the Mentors Network: Albania, Belgium, Cyprus, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The Mentors Network provides advice and support to women entrepreneurs on the start-up, management and growth of their businesses in the early phases (from the second to the fourth year of existence of a new woman-run and owned enterprise).
(EN), Pact for Employment (EN) |
The “Pact for Employment” Project was conducted in Romania between 2019 and 2022. This initiative was initiated by the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF) in collaboration with the Employers’ Federation for Oil and Gas (FPPG). The primary objective of this project was to identify solutions and strategies that could short-term and medium-term contribute to reducing quantitative and qualitative disparities in Romania’s labor market. Additionally, the project aimed to establish a coherent legislative framework to ensure the market’s consistent evolution. This project has had a significant impact on Romania’s labor market, culminating in the introduction of essential legislative proposals that have significantly improved employment conditions and human resource management processes. The implementation of electronic signatures for employment contracts and the introduction of an electronic timekeeping system were just two of the successful initiatives of this project. The “Pact for Employment” project has already stood out for its excellence and major impact, becoming an eloquent example of innovative approaches in optimizing the business environment and enhancing employment opportunities. Through collaboration and public-private partnerships, we have established a robust platform for developing sustainable and adaptable strategies aligned with the labor market’s requirements. A crucial aspect of the project was the integration of advanced digital solutions.
(EN), WINGATE (EN) |
The International Project “WINGATE”, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Regional Cooperation aimed to promote female entrepreneurship and innovation in Central and Eastern Europe, with a strong focus on inclusion and gender equality by building a robust community of female entrepreneurs through the organization of events and courses, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of women-led businesses in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. WINGATE has had a significant impact in promoting the principles of scaling up female businesses and their development both locally and internationally. Through this project, the focus was on networking and mentoring, providing valuable opportunities for women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and strengthen their skills in an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration. The cross-border collaboration facilitated the exchange of expertise and best practices, ultimately contributing to the competitiveness of women-led enterprises in the region.
(EN), THE EUROPEAN NETWORK OF MENTORS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (EN) | The project had the aim to boost female entrepreneurship across Serbia through the establishment of the National Network of Mentors. The project focused on providing complete mentoring services to women owned enterprises in all regions of the country in order to help women overcome problems that occur at the beginning of doing business.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 439 400.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 151 520.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Strategic Diagnostic Review and Contextual Analysis
Analysis and Policy review
Benchmarking analysis
Training material and methodology
Local workshops/modular training (directed to experts, researchers, practitioners in the field)
Toolkit for decision makers and experts
Reports on the Organisation of Local Support Groups based on URBACT methodology
Workplan of the multistakeholder Action Group Network
Reports on networking events
Report on pilot 1 Digital gamified interactive tools for young women entrepreneurs
Report on pilot 2 Training programme for women entrepreneurs
Report on pilot 3 Training programme for investors with social innovation aspect
Report on pilot 4 Mentorship Programs for both (business angels and women entrepreneurs) groups
Report on pilot 5 Woman Entrepreneurship Offices (HUB or Point)
Report on pilot activities dissemination event in BG
Report on Joint post-pilot comparative analysis
Model for replicating adaptable solutions
Joint Strategy for adaptation and Action Plan
Joint guidelines on outreach to and engagement of stakeholders
Local advocacy events
Conference on conclusion

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion To enhance EUSDR’s involvement in the project, during the stakeholder mapping phase, representatives from the EUSDR will be identified and invited to actively participate in the project.
Once identified, the project will seek to form an Consultancy Board, consisting of members from the Danube Strategy Point, National Coordinators, and relevant Priority Area Coordinators. RAPIV is a coordinator of the WG Female Entrepreneurship under PA 8 of EUSDR. RAPIV strongly supports the activities of PA8 coordinators and has organized joint events and activities. Through the involvement of members of the WG Female Entrepreneurship under PA 8 of EUSDR, IMPACTA will create synergies with the activities of PA 8 to complement them in the preparation and implementation of transnational policies aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs.
The Board can also comment on developing recommendations to economically empower women and integrate marginalized groups into the workforce and complement the EUSDR agenda or workplan with adequate statements of the work. For the Toolkit for Decision Makers and Experts (O1.2), EUSDR Consultancy Board members with expertise in economic development, education, and social innovation can provide feedback during its development, ensuring it addresses regional and transnational challenges. Priority Area Coordinators and national-level experts can help integrate local perspectives into the toolkit, aligning it with EUSDR objectives and broader EU directives. For O3.1 (Model for Replicating Adaptable Solutions), the EUSDR Consultancy Board could ensure the replication models align with EUSDR priorities and are adaptable across the Danube Region. The EUSDR Consultancy Board can also support the creation of the Joint Strategy for Adaptation (O3.2), helping countries in the Danube Region adjust to pilot findings and ensuring that strategies are coherent across regions.
EuropeanGreenDeal IMPACTA's contribution to the European Green Deal can be seen through its alignment with broader EU strategies and specific regional initiatives, like the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, particularly Priority Area 9 (People and Skills). The project's focus on empowering women entrepreneurs and investors through tailored training, mentorship, and access to resources directly supports the European Green Deal's objectives in several ways. Stimulating Green Entrepreneurship:Innovation is key to achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. IMPACTA's emphasis on fostering innovation among women entrepreneurs and investors can contribute to the development of sustainable solutions and technologies that address environmental challenges.Economic growth is essential for the transition to a green economy. IMPACTA's support for entrepreneurship can lead to the creation of jobs and businesses that are aligned with the Green Deal's objectives, contributing to sustainable economic development in the Danube region. By promoting equal opportunities and addressing gender disparities, IMPACTA ensures that women have the skills needed for jobs in the green economy, thereby supporting the Green Deal's ambition of a just and inclusive transition. Social inclusion and gender equality are important aspects of the European Green Deal, as they ensure that the benefits of the green transition are shared widely. By targeting gender disparities and promoting the empowerment of women, IMPACTA contributes to a more inclusive and equitable society, which is essential for the success of the Green Deal.
TerritorialAgenda2030 IMPACTA's initiatives are well-aligned with the objectives of the EU Territorial Agenda 2030, contributing to the realization of a more social, cohesive, and economically vibrant EU, with a particular focus on the Danube region. Through its targeted efforts to empower women entrepreneurs and investors, IMPACTA not only advances gender equality but also promotes sustainable economic development, innovation, and social inclusion, key pillars of the EU Territorial Agenda 2030. By specifically targeting women entrepreneurs and investors, IMPACTA addresses a critical gap in the economic landscape of the Danube region. This focus is in line with the Territorial Agenda's emphasis on social inclusion and economic cohesion. Gender disparities in entrepreneurship and investment are recognized challenges that, when addressed, can lead to more dynamic and inclusive economic growth. Providing tailored training and mentorship to women in these roles builds capacity at an individual and community level. This approach not only fosters personal and professional development but also contributes to building a more skilled workforce across the region. Such efforts resonate with the Agenda's goal of promoting knowledge and innovation as drivers for regional development. Ensuring that women entrepreneurs and investors have access to necessary resources, whether financial, informational, or networking opportunities, helps to level the playing field. This access is crucial for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, key pillars for sustainable economic growth as outlined in the Territorial Agenda 2030. By encouraging entrepreneurship among women, IMPACTA supports the creation of new businesses and encourages innovative practices across industries. This is directly aligned with the EU Territorial Agenda's objectives of stimulating economic growth and making the EU a more competitive and innovative economy.
Other Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025
IMPACTA contributes to the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 by implementing targeted actions and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and women's empowerment within the Danube region. Through its activities, IMPACTA addresses key objectives outlined in the strategy, such as challenging gender stereotypes, closing gender gaps in the labor market, achieving equal participation across different sectors of the economy, and promoting gender balance in decision-making and politics. IMPACTA ensures that its efforts consider the diverse experiences and needs of women across various backgrounds. Additionally, IMPACTA's alignment with the EU's external policy on gender equality extends the impact of its initiatives beyond the region, contributing to the broader goal of creating a gender-equal Europe. IMPACTA enhances the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 by providing concrete actions and initiatives aimed at empowering women, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, and fostering economic growth with a gender perspective. This not only supports the strategy’s objectives but also contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development in the Danube region.
Other An economy that works for people
IMPACTA promotes economic inclusivity by empowering women entrepreneurs, who are more likely to run small businesses, studies show. By providing tailored support such as training, mentorship, and resources, it fosters entrepreneurship, driving economic growth and creating job opportunities. Additionally, by addressing gender disparities and promoting social inclusion, IMPACTA ensures that economic benefits are shared more equitably, contributing to the EU's vision of an economy that benefits all individuals.
Other European Pillar of Social Rights
IMPACTA's contribution to the European Pillar of Social Rights is evident in its focus on promoting gender equality, equal opportunities, and social inclusion. By empowering women entrepreneurs through tailored support for women entrepreneurs and business angels, IMPACTA addresses principles such as equal opportunities, gender equality, and inclusive education, training, and lifelong learning. Additionally, by fostering entrepreneurship and small business development, IMPACTA supports principles related to social protection, health and safety at work, and work-life balance, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.
Other Social economy and inclusive entrepreneurship
IMPACTA’s goal is to promote social economy and inclusive entrepreneurship by empowering women entrepreneurs. By providing tailored support and resources, it fosters entrepreneurship within traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, thereby diversifying the entrepreneurship ecosystem and promoting social and economic inclusion. Additionally, IMPACTA's support for women-led social innovation startups aligns with the principles of social economy by prioritizing social impact alongside financial sustainability, contributing to the growth and development of the social economy sector within the EU.
Other European Education Area
IMPACTA contributes to the development of the European Education Area by providing tailored training, mentorship, and resources to women entrepreneurs. By focusing on skills development and capacity building, IMPACTA enhances the entrepreneurial competencies of women, aligning with the objectives of the European Education Area to foster lifelong learning and promote quality education. Through its training workshops and educational programs, IMPACTA equips women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to succeed in business, contributing to the overall goal of improving the quality and relevance of education and training systems across the EU. IMPACTA also embraces digital and remote learning methods to ensure accessibility and flexibility for women entrepreneurs.
Other Strategy for Strengthening Hungarian Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises 2019-2030
The SME Strategy aims to strengthen Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with particular emphasis on achieving continuous economic growth and reaching the EU average level of development by 2030. The strategy's comprehensive approach targets both adapting to external circumstances and exploiting internal opportunities for Hungarian SMEs. Its pillars focus on technological changes, digital developments, financial literacy, innovation, and strengthening entrepreneurial culture, while emphasizing sustainability and internationalization. The targeted measures and development policy tools offered by the strategy are designed to accelerate economic growth and ensure the success of domestic companies in international competition, while preparing them for changing conditions and expectations in areas such as green transition and digital transformation.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 138 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

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Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors

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Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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