Empowering SMEs and female entrepreneurs:

A collaborative initiative for sustainable development

Driving Growth and Innovation: The Koblenz Chamber of Crafts champions the advancement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and female entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Focused on the Western Balkans and Ukraine, our initiative connects partner associations and organizations to foster regional cooperation, aiming to break down barriers and unlock new opportunities for women in business.

Discover our partners

Why a special project for female entrepreneurs?

Because female entrepreneurs can make a significant contribution to the economy;
Because female entrepreneurs in the partner countries have not yet exhausted their potential;
Because female entrepreneurs need specific support to unfold this potential;
Because patriarchal role understandings are still prevalent in the partner countries;
Because female entrepreneurs need greater recognition in society.

The diversity of our partner associations

Our partner associations are of varying strengths and have different legal bases. From NGOs to departments within larger institutions such as chambers of crafts or chambers of commerce and industry – this diversity enriches our project with a wide spectrum of experiences and perspectives.

Our belief in sustainable success

The initiative is based on our long-standing knowledge of the specific conditions in the partner countries and the firm belief that supporting female entrepreneurs is crucial for economic success and sustainable development.

Strategic objectives: Network building and performance support

Building a sustainable and efficient regional network among the partner associations themselves and also with the German partner is the strategic goal of the project.

The network aims to support the performance of the women entrepreneurs’ associations in many ways:

In the societal perception of the achievements and potential of female entrepreneurs;
In policy dialogue and advocacy towards politics;
In the development and continuous updating of a service offering for member companies;
In the development of a differentiated offer of further education for female entrepreneurs;
In creating platforms for economic contacts of member companies in the region and promoting and advising export-oriented companies;
In involving female entrepreneurs in tackling current problems such as combating the shortage of skilled workers and the emigration of mainly young people.