The first day was designed to help participants get to know not only the organisations involved, but also the expertise they could bring to IMPACTA. Representatives of project partners, Associated Strategic Partners and external stakeholders from Hungary, Moldova, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Serbia and Ukraine presented their organisations, areas of expertise and potential contribution to future cooperation.

What is already working in support of women entrepreneurs?

One of the key sessions focused on international exchange of good practices under the theme “How we can support women in starting and running their own business.” Each participating country presented one practical example related to training, mentoring, business support or entrepreneurial community building. 

RAPIV presented EWA – Empowering Women in Agrifood, an EIT Food programme implemented by RAPIV in Bulgaria. The programme combines training, personalised mentoring, expert support, access to entrepreneurial networks and funding opportunities. It was presented as an example of an integrated support model in which women entrepreneurs receive support across several stages of developing their business idea, rather than through a single stand-alone service.

The presentations were followed by a discussion on which elements of the good practices could be adapted to different national and local contexts and transferred into the forthcoming IMPACTA pilot activities. 

From good practices to transferable solutions

The afternoon continued with the joint workshop “Women Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Models – From Good Practices to Transferable Solutions”, moderated by RAPIV. Participants worked in small groups and connected three key elements: the needs and barriers already identified within IMPACTA, the good practices presented earlier in the day, and the five pilot models to be implemented within the project. 
 

The discussions highlighted several common directions. These included combining training, mentoring, networking and access to finance; using more flexible online and hybrid formats; adapting content and delivery to the needs of different groups of women; involving trusted local organisations to reach harder-to-reach participants; and creating stronger links between entrepreneurs and existing support services.

Particular attention was also given to the role of entrepreneurship hubs – not simply as information points, but as places for networking, peer support and community building.

Day two – moving from ideas to implementation

While stakeholder representatives took part in study visits to Cricova-VIN SA and Madaline Wood Bag, the IMPACTA partners continued with an internal working session focused on project implementation.

The discussion centred on the five IMPACTA pilot areas: digital gamified tools for young women entrepreneurs, a training programme for women entrepreneurs, a training programme for investors with a social innovation focus, mentorship programmes for business angels and women entrepreneurs, and Women Entrepreneurship Offices / HUBs. Partners reviewed the preparation of the pilots, possible links and synergies between them, key risks and the next implementation steps.

What comes next in Bulgaria?

For RAPIV, the Chisinau meeting was an important step in preparing the practical IMPACTA activities in Bulgaria. In the coming months, RAPIV will launch a training programme for women entrepreneurs and a mentoring programme, both adapted to the needs of different participant groups and building on the project methodology as well as the experience and good practices exchanged during the meeting.

The aim is to provide support that is not only accessible, but also practical – helping participants work on their own business ideas, receive feedback from experienced trainers and mentors, and connect with relevant organisations and further opportunities for business development.

Follow RAPIV’s website and social media channels for the upcoming calls for participation.

IMPACTA – Innovative Mentorship and Policies for Advancing Change and Transformation Agenda for Women Business Actors is implemented under the Interreg Danube Region Programme and aims to improve support for women entrepreneurship, with particular attention to women who face additional barriers when starting or developing a business.