Even though the population of women is more than men in Europe, female entrepreneurs represent only a third of the self-employed in the EU. There are some additional factors (such as reconciling business and family) that make entrepreneurship a less attractive option for them than for men. The European Commission is working with EU countries to overcome these and encourage more women to start their own companies.

Under the framework of “Femme” project, in which the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development participates as partner, was conducted a report of collection of the Best Practices in mumpreneurship and in female entrepreneurship.

In FEMME project we find a priority to involve incubators/trainers/adult educators on entrepreneurship to extend their competences for Mumpreneurship and provide a better and suitable service for Mumpreneurs leading them to create jobs on a start-up environment.

Best practice research was performed with the aim to achieve two objectives:

1. to give trainers/staff members the opportunity to understand what the most relevant successful business are developed by mothers,
2. how did they reach their success, how can trainers/staff members contribute for Mumpreneurship

The report was mainly based on the following findings:

FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE EU

•  consist of only 34.4% of the EU self-employed and 30% of start-up entrepreneurs
  • female creativity and entrepreneurial potential are under-exploited

MAIN CHALLENGES FACED BY FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

• access to finance
  • access to information
  • training
  • access to networks for business purposes
  • reconciling business and family concerns

INTERVENTION

• entrepreneurial education and training
  • removing administrative barriers and supporting entrepreneurs
  • reigniting the culture of entrepreneurship in Europe and nurturing the new generation of entrepreneurs

We find common tracks in the best practices proposed in the report, that can be summarized in the following points:

Training

• Training (professional skills related to entrepreneurship: marketing, administration etc.)
• Training on soft skills (empowerment, sense of initiative etc.)
• Mentoring and coaching & Supporting Services
• Funding programmes
• Networking
• Awareness raising

Read all about the Best Practices report here!