Conference in Zagreb – Women Entrepreneurs of the Danube Region: Transition and Circularity

Conference in Zagreb – Women Entrepreneurs of the Danube Region: Transition and Circularity

05.11.2024.

As part of the EU Danube Region Strategy, Priority Area 8 – Competitiveness of Enterprises, the Croatian Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Labor, and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg, organized a conference on the topic Women Entrepreneurs of the Danube Region: Transition and Circularity on November 5th in Zagreb. This hybrid event brought together policymakers, business leaders, experts, representatives of the civil sector, and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups through digital, innovative, and sustainable business practices.

Partners of the Interreg Danube Region project WE.Circular (RAPIV from Bulgaria, TECHPARK from Croatia, SBA from Slovakia, Impact Hub Bucharest from Romania, and ODA from Moldova) discussed the barriers women entrepreneurs face in the circular transition, as well as potential solutions. The event was also attended by Lija Stojković, Project Manager of the Association of Business Women in Serbia. Through panel discussions on digitalization, circular economy, and funding opportunities, the conference initiated another significant dialogue on overcoming obstacles and building more resilient support networks. Such initiatives are crucial for strengthening the digital and business skills needed for Industry 4.0 and advancing women-led businesses in the Danube Region.

Boosting Digital and Industrial Capacity for Sustainable Circular Transition of Women Entrepreneurs in the Danube Region – WE.Circular is an EU project funded by the Interreg Danube Region Program.

The Association of Business Women in Serbia began work on the project in January 2024 and is implementing the following activities: skill development at the national level; development of a joint Transnational Skills and Needs Analysis; needs assessment and identification of gaps in Serbia; skill enhancement; and participation in the work of Thematic Working Groups for training program development.

The consortium consists of 15 partners from 12 countries: Serbia, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.