"Enhancing contribution and efficiency of women's entrepreneurship CSOs related to the EU integration reforms in the area of economic policy" WE-Contribute

Enhancing contribution and efficiency of women's entrepreneurship CSOs related to the EU integration reforms in the area of economic policy WE-Contribute

The final conference was held on the topic: “Women entrepreneurship and challenges for EU integration”

Posted on by mir

The final conference on networking on the theme: Women entrepreneurship and the challenges for EU integration “, attended by 200 representatives from organizations, government institutions and women entrepreneurs from companies from Macedonia and Croatia, was held on November 19 and 20, 2018 at Hotel Holiday In this conference is part of the project “Strengthening the contribution and efficiency of civil society organizations from the women entrepreneurship to the EU integration reforms in the field of economic policy – We-Contribute”. Since the World Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is celebrated on these dates, the first National Women’s Entrepreneurship Council celebrated this day, noting the importance of this topic, as well as congratulating everyone on the successes and benefits that each year realize in this area. Developed women entrepreneurship is proof of the success of a country, and the main indicator of one country’s success is how successful women are in business. In achieving better results in this regard, networking among women entrepreneurs is important. This was highlighted at today’s final networking conference.

The Networking Conference consisted of:

  • 4 panel discussions with representatives from different ministries, institutions, organizations and companies
  • discussions between present representatives from different institutions and organizations and women entrepreneurs that are important for entrepreneurship.
  • B2B meetings between women entrepreneurs
  • presentation of the realized activities of the project as well as presentation of the resources created during the project (online courses, web portal and guide for civil society organizations)

In the opening of the conference, the Minister without Portfolio in charge of Foreign Investments Zorica Apostolovska said that the Government’s determination for positive economic results, achieving sustainable growth and development provides equal opportunities for all business initiatives including women entrepreneurship, which are is also achieved through building institutional attitudes towards women entrepreneurs. In this context, Apostolovska, apart from raising the budget for 2019 from 37 percent of the funds for competitiveness, also highlighted the importance of the government document – the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy 2019-2023, which is in the final procedure.

The first panel discussion was on the topic: The involvement of government institutions in opportunities for support and development of women entrepreneurship. The speakers in this panel discussion who had their presentation were representatives from the Ministries of the Republic of Macedonia and government institutions:

  • Sanja Sazdovska, State Counselor National Coordinator for Reproductive Health in the Ministry of Health
  • Elizabeta Todorova, Head of Unit for Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness of SMEs in the Ministry of Economy
  • Gutten Mustafova, Head of the Department for Equal Opportunities in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
  • Violeta Stojanovic, Associate for Active Employment Measures at the Employment Agency of the Republic of Macedonia

2.The second panel discussion was on the topic: The importance of CSOs for EU integration processes in the field of women entrepreneurship. The speakers in this panel discussion who had their presentation were representatives from civil society organizations, chambers and confederations

  • Dragica Jerkov, Association of Business Women Krug, Croatia
  • Danela Arsovska, Association of Chambers of Commerce of Macedonia
  • Radmil Polenakovic, National Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning Development
  • Mile Boskov, Business Confederation of Macedonia
  • Gjoko Vukanovski, Organization of Employers of Macedonia

3. The third panel discussion was on the topic: The Benefits and Challenges Face Women Entrepreneurs. The speakers in this panel discussion who had their presentation were representatives from the business sector:

  • Penka Mukaetova – Consulting Inter Group, Kavadarci
  • Suzana Naumoska – Isida Ohrid
  • Tanja Dejanoska – Dental International – Dejanoski
  • Biljana Indova – Pharma Link B & GP
  • Vesna Apostoloska – Small Things Skopje

4. The fourth panel discussion was on the topic: Experiences and Success Stories in Support of Women Entrepreneurship. The speakers in this panel discussion who had their presentation were representatives from civil society organizations:

  • Mary Ann Rukawina Cipetic-GTF Initiative for Sustainable Growth, Croatia
  • Maja Lukarova – Youth Entrepreneurial Service (YES)
  • Elena Mishevska
  • Emilija Mitevska – Foundation for Management and Industrial Research